Literature provides abundant examples of how to apply the wisdom of the past to today's problems. But literary examples are not enough. If children are to take an active part in questioning the past, they need to understand how to read history the way historians and even amateur historians do. In this article, the author provides examples of how to connect past and present through the use of children's and young adult literature. By joining historical thinking, historical literature, and hands-on activities, teachers provide the context for children and young adults to discover the relevance of history for themselves. The questions they raise will not directly help children pass standardized tests or deal with the constraints of scripted programs with prescribed sequences of "ten minutes for this" and "fifteen minutes for that;" however, discovering how to apply the wisdom of the past to life in today's world is an enduring lesson that lasts a lifetime. (Contains 1 table.)