900s: Looking Back: Series Nonfiction on American History

Reviewed by Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA -- School Library Journal, 11/1/2008

Also in this article: American Idols The Bottom Line

With the glut of books on American history available today, it can be difficult for publishers to find a way to make their titles stand out from the pack. Tracking down series that offer new information or present it in a way that makes it immediately engaging to young readers is the trick that librarians and teachers are always searching for, especially as the Internet becomes an increasingly easy choice for information. Making history relevant is a constant challenge. The series below strive to meet that challenge by looking at the past through a new lens, or questioning the veracity of popular legends, providing educators with ways to engage their students.

ADAMS, Colleen. The True Story of Pocahontas photos. ISBN 978-1-4042-4475-7. LC 2007051954.
ADAMS, Colleen. The True Story of the Battle of the Alamo map. photos. ISBN 978-1-4042-4477-1. LC 2008000997.
ADAMS, Colleen. The True Story of the First Thanksgiving photos. ISBN 978-1-4042-4476-4. LC 2007052797.
VON ZUMBUSCH, Amelie. The True Story of the American Flag map. photos. ISBN 978-1-4042-4478-8. LC 2008002083.
VON ZUMBUSCH, Amelie. The True Story of the Battle of Lexington and Concord ISBN 978-1-4042-4480-1. LC 2008003491.
VON ZUMBUSCH, Amelie. The True Story of the Salem Witch Hunts ISBN 978-1-4042-4479-5. LC 2008002085. ea vol: 24p. (What Really Happened? Series). illus. reprods. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. Nov. 2008. PLB $21.25.

Gr 2-6–This series, meant to question some of the myths and commonly held beliefs about a few of the important moments in history, misses the mark. Questions are raised about some of the mysteries surrounding the battle of the Alamo or the first Thanksgiving, but few real answers are given, only speculation, leaving readers still wondering “what really happened.” Thought the books are meant for beginners, there isn’t enough background, so that students who are unfamiliar with particular events will wonder why these are important questions. The illustrations are uninspiring, and occasionally uninviting, as in the depictions of the almost ogre-like Tituba from the Salem Witch Hunts.

LEAVITT, Amie Jane. The Bill of Rights in Translation: What It Really Means ISBN 978-1-4296-1928-8. LC 2007051307.
LEAVITT, Amie Jane. The Declaration of Independence in Translation: What It Really Means ISBN 978-1-4296-1929-5. LC 2008003229.
OLSON, Kay Melchisedech. The Gettysburg Address in Translation: What It Really Means map. ISBN 978-1-4296-1930-1. LC 2007051301.
RAUM, Elizabeth. The Pledge of Allegiance in Translation: What It Really Means ISBN 978-1-4296-1931-8. LC 2007051304.
RAUM, Elizabeth. The Star-Spangled Banner in Translation: What It Really Means ISBN 978-1-4296-1933-2. LC 2007051302. ea vol: 32p. (Kids’ Translations Series). illus. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone 2008. PLB $23.93.

Gr 3-6–This is one of the more unusual and useful series of the bunch. The books, which are filled with eye-catching graphics, take important historical documents and provide a nearly line-by-line translation that makes a song, speech, or the written word accessible and meaningful. Though the volumes will generally be perfect for newcomers to these topics, some students may be unaware of the context of the less-familiar pieces, such as the “Gettysburg Address,” and this information is found after the translation.

BANTING, Erinn. Civil Rights Movement ISBN 978-1-59036-882-4; ISBN 978-1-59036-883-1.
BANTING, Erinn. Reconstruction ISBN 978-1-59036-878-7; ISBN 978-1-59036-879-4.
DE MEDEIROS, James. The Migration North ISBN 978-1-59036-880-0; ISBN 978-1-59036-881-7.
DE MEDEIROS, James. Slavery ISBN 978-1-59036-874-9; ISBN 978-1-59036-875-6.
HOWSE, Jennifer. Civil War map. ISBN 978-1-59036-876-3; ISBN 978-1-59036-877-0.
SZULHAN, Rebecca. Contemporary Achievements ISBN 978-1-59036-884-8; ISBN 978-1-59036-885-5. ea vol: 48p. (African American History Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Weigl Mar. 2009. PLB $29.05; pap. $8.95. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-7–This flawed multivolume chronicle of African-American history has little to recommend it. There is overlap between slim volumes, with nearly identical paragraphs turning up in several places; for example, under the subheading, “Racism as an Institution,” which appears in Reconstruction and Civil War. Several of the books contain glaring typographical errors, and in one volume, text is missing. However, there are interesting highlights on important individuals from various time periods, including Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Booker T. Washington, and Frederick Douglass. Glossy pages contain a variety of full-color and black-and-white photos and reproductions, with inconsistent or occasionally misleading captions. Backmatter in each volume includes an illustrated time line, a brief quiz, and a writing activity suggestion.

HERNÁNDEZ, Roger E. Early Explorations: The 1500s maps. notes. ISBN 978-0-7614-2937-1. LC 2007026406.
HERNÁNDEZ, Roger E.. The Civil War: 1840s-1890s photos. ISBN 978-0-7614-2939-5. LC 2007049525.
HERNÁNDEZ, Roger E.. New Spain: 1600-1760s maps. photos. ISBN 978-0-7614-2936-4. LC 2007027215.
OTFINOSKI, Steven. The New Republic: 1760-1840s map. photos. ISBN 978-0-7614-2938-8. LC 2007045958.
WORTH, Richard. The Texas War of Independence: The 1800s maps. photos. ISBN 978-0-7614-2934-0. LC 2007029478. ea vol: 80p. (Hispanic America Series). illus. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish 2008. PLB $23.95.

Gr 4-8–The intent of this series is to highlight the role that Hispanics have played in the shaping of America. However, with the focus so squarely put upon political events, other aspects of these cultures and influences feel ignored or, at best, like afterthoughts. Places, dates, and historical figures are recounted, with only occasional discussion of the overall impact of art, socio-economic conditions, or other aspects of life during these eras. Images are for the most part of adequate quality, though they add little to the text. Exceptions are the maps in New Spain, which are particularly helpful; those in the other titles (except Civil War, which has none) may prove difficult for students to use as they are old reproductions.

MCGOWEN, Tom. Space Race: The Mission, the Men, the Moon ISBN 978-0-7660-2910-1. LC 2007051615.
MCNEESE, Tim. The Fascinating History of American Indians: The Age before Columbus illus. maps. notes. ISBN 978-0-7660-2938-5. LC 2007044924.
STEIN, R. Conrad. Cuban Missile Crisis: In the Shadow of Nuclear War maps. ISBN 978-0-7660-2905-7. LC 2008004703.
WARRICK, Karen Clemens. Alamo: Victory or Death on the Texas Frontier maps. ISBN 978-0-7660-2937-8. LC 2007038458.
WORTH, Richard. The Harlem Renaissance: An Explosion of African-American Culture map. notes. ISBN 978-0-7660-2907-1. LC 2007025593. ea vol: 128p. (America’s Living History Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Enslow 2008. PLB $31.93.

Gr 4-8–This interesting series covers a wide range of history, from the first landings of European explorers to the fairly recent space race that led to the moon landing. Thought it opens with a detailed discussion of the controversy surrounding the discovery of Kennewick Man, American Indians is broad, covering many diverse cultures over several thousand years. The other titles have a more focused analysis. Each one is well sourced, includes extensive back matter, and has a full complement of supporting color photographs or other illustrations that makes it accessible and useful to report writers and general readers.

American Idols

HARRIS, Nancy. Mount Rushmore ISBN 978-1-4329-0964-2; ISBN 978-1-4329-0971-0.
HARRIS, Nancy. The Capitol Building ISBN 978-1-4329-0963-5; ISBN 978-1-4329-0970-3.
HARRIS, Nancy. The Lincoln Memorial ISBN 978-1-4329-0966-6; ISBN 978-1-4329-0973-4.
HARRIS, Nancy. The National Anthem ISBN 978-1-4329-0965-9; ISBN 978-1-4329-0972-7.
HARRIS, Nancy. The Washington Monument ISBN 978-1-4329-0967-3; ISBN 978-1-4329-0974-1. ea vol: 24p. (Patriotic Symbols Series). maps. photos. reprods. glossary. index. CIP. Heinemann 2008. PLB $20.71; pap. $5.99. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 1–These simple texts are designed for children to read themselves. In making them accessible to beginning readers, however, many concepts are oversimplified, including the introductory premise, “A symbol is a type of sign. A symbol shows you something.” Although four of the books are about monuments and buildings, they include few details about design or construction. National Anthem does not discuss the music or include a full listing of the words. Most of the volumes contain excellent large, color photographs, current enough to include figures such as Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. Lincoln Memorial, however, features several poorly executed period paintings, including one depicting the African-American people (but not Lincoln, who appears in the same picture) with oddly bright lips. On only a slightly higher reading level, the “American Symbols” series (Capstone) addresses many of the same topics in a more compelling and educational manner.

BEKKERING, Annalise Seals illus. ISBN 978-1-59036-892-3; ISBN 978-1-59036-893-0. LC 2008015828.
DIEMER, Lauren. Flags illus. ISBN 978-1-59036-886-2; ISBN 978-1-59036-887-9. LC 2008015826.
HURTIG, Jennifer. Capitals reprods. ISBN 978-1-59036-896-1; ISBN 978-1-59036-897-8. LC 2008015825.
TAIT, Leia. Birds reprods. ISBN 978-1-59036-890-9; ISBN 978-1-59036-891-6. LC 2008015824.
TAIT, Leia. Flowers ISBN 978-1-59036-894-7; ISBN 978-1-59036-895-4. LC 2008015827.
WATSON, Galadriel. Trees reprods. ISBN 978-1-59036-888-6; ISBN 978-1-59036-889-3. LC 2008015829. ea vol: 48p. (U.S. Sites and Symbols Series). maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Weigl Dec. 2008. PLB $29.05; pap. $8.95.

Gr 2-5–Each title begins with a clear definition of what symbols are, followed by a history of how emblems such as birds and flags were established. A brightly colored U.S. map, divided into regions, orients readers. The bulk of the books is a state-by-state listing, of state seals for example, accompanied by a color photograph, followed by an examination of the corresponding national symbol, such as the Great Seal of the United States. Although the titles could have been put together as one volume, individual books will allow easy comparisons. The format is attractive and easy to follow. Small problems include the lack of a translation of the term “E Pluribus Unum” from the Great Seal and transposition of capital and Capitol. Otherwise, the books are helpful and appealing. Each book’s closing “Create Your Own” project invites readers to consider the significance of symbols in a more personal way.–Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher’s School, Richmond, VA

The Bottom Line

Each of these series attempts to provide a unique perspective on American history, with varying degrees of success in terms of accessibility, readability, and general appeal. Two stand out. The “Kids’ Translations” titles are engaging and functional, making them solid choices for school and public libraries. With deeper coverage and a broader range of topics, the “America’s Living History” series, especially Cuban Missile Crisis and Space Race, will be useful to slightly older researchers looking to expand upon more conventional texts on the same events.

A Trip in Time: Series Nonfiction on History (Spring 2009)

The Worst of Times: Series Nonfiction on Modern History (Fall 2008)

Early Days and Knightly Ways: Series Nonfiction on Ancient and Medieval History (Fall 2008)

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