April 1, 2015
Gr 3-6-This series humanizes seminal events and movements in U.S. history through the exploration of the lives of men, women, and children. The authors do a terrific job of including a variety of viewpoints, such as those of slaves and child laborers. Sidebars highlight key ideas, including the Homestead Act and the mystery at Roanoke. Passages from primary source documents are included as well. A "Stop and Think" section concludes each title with provocative discussion questions that encourage readers to put themselves in the shoes of people from the featured era. The illustrations are made up of photos, maps, drawings, and charts. The most effecting images are those depicting children-the photo of the little boy selling metal for a World War II scrap drive is a particularly memorable addition. VERDICT Concise and well organized, with a broad perspective, this series is first-rate.
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
June 1, 2015
Grades 4-6 These books in the new Daily Life in U.S. History series provide a solid and helpful view of key periods in American history for elementary-schoolers. The main text is clear and age-appropriate, although not always focused on daily life. Life during the Civil War is organized thematically, around topics including school, work, food, culture, communication, and slavery. Each book features the spread A Day in the Life, which provides additional elements of daily routines. The books are ideal for classroom use, with a variety of standards-friendly activities. Sidebar features helpfully guide students through the publisher's website and through several well-chosen primary sources, and Stop and Think activities in the back matter suggest projects addressing topics such as vocabulary, opinion writing, and making connections to today.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)