A CIVIL WAR SCRAPBOOK

Gr 4–7—Meeting national standards in social studies, economics, geography, history, language arts, and art education, this versatile book presents a history of the Civil War from the perspective of soldiers, women, children, and enslaved individuals. The political and economic aspects of slavery are addressed at the beginning of the book and cited as the reason for the war. Eight battles, including Manassas, Glorieta Pass, Antietam, and Honey Springs, are highlighted with explanations of why the location was of importance, key military figures, and what went wrong in the fight, and what was learned. Other topics addressed are technology, medicine, music, and the Gettysburg Address. The plethora of facts is enhanced by abundant use of photographs, illustrations, and Civil War-related activities. These activities are the highlight of the book and they include sewing, using Morse Code, designing games, composing letters, learning Civil War-era slang, creating a flag, and designing a calling card. The scrapbook-style layout, the excellent use of archival photographs, and a thorough bibliography combine to make this a useful volume for students, and the activities will keep them occupied and engaged as they learn about the war.—Patricia Ann Owens, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges