The final chapter of Our White House begins with the administration of President Jimmy Carter. “Part VII. The Great House Endures” aims its lens on the transition from the late twentieth century into the twenty first using poetry and prose, original artwork, and photography. Read President Carter’s thoughts on managing the Iran hostage crisis, President Ronald Reagan’s farewell address, and a personal letter from President George H.W. Bush to his children in which he reflects on the nature of good vs. evil in determining America’s response to the aggressive actions of Iraq’s dictator in Kuwait. Also included are an imagined interview for a Secret Service agent, an interview excerpt with Vice President Dick Cheney regarding the events of 9/11, a sketch journal by illustrator David Small on what happens behind the scenes at the White House, and a game board created by illustrator Bob Kolar featuring images of all our presidents. Part VII of the paperback version of Our White House also includes a poem and illustration commemorating the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

If you do not have a copy of Our White House in your classroom or home, please consider checking out a copy from your local library or purchasing one online here.

To print the Education Resource Guide that includes activities and discussion questions regarding the content included in Part VII of Our White House, click here.

The table of contents for Part VII of Our White House is listed below. To the right of each article or illustration title, in the “Read More” column, are links to relevant, supplemental content on this website to help you expand the educational potential of the book’s contents.

Table of ContentsRead More
THE GREAT HOUSE ENDURES
Illustration by Roxie Munro
From Christmas in Plains: Memories
by Jimmy Carter
illustrated by Don Powers
The White House
by Jon Scieszka
illustrated by Tony Fucile
RONALD REAGAN
photograph by Diana Walker
From Ronald Reagan's Farewell Address to the Nation
Letter to George, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Doro Bush from George H. W. Bush
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
photograph by Diana Walker
GEORGE H. W. AND BARBARA BUSH
photograph by Diana Walker
The Secret Service
by Jess M. Brallier
illustrated by David Small
I Live in the White House
by Jack Prelutsky
illustrated by Jim La Marche
From Meet the Press with Tim Russert:
Interview with Vice President Dick Cheney, September 16, 2001
Presidential Fact File: George W. Bush
From The 9/11 Commission Report
Visiting the White House
by Sarah Stewart
BACKSTAIRS AT THE WHITE HOUSE
illustrations by David Small
Looking In, Looking Out by Gregory Maguire
The Green House
by Megan McDonald
The First Pitch
by Stephanie True Peters
illustrated by Matt Tavares
Wanted: Magnanimous, Exquisite Woman!
by Gigi Amateau and Judith Amateau
Mrs. Bush Inspires a National Book Festival
by John Y. Cole
poster by Carol Dyer
1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE.: WHO'S IN THE HOUSE?
created by Bob Kolar
Inaugural Morning
by Nikki Grimes
illustrated by A. G. Ford
Note: This poem and illustration are included in the 2010 paperback edition.
The White House by Moonlight
by Walt Whitman
illustrated by James Ransome
THE WHITE HOUSE EASTER EGG ROLL, 2003
painting by Eric Carle
A BIG CHAIR TO FILL
illustration by Leonid Gore