Tag Archives: American History

Elem. – U.S. History: Need to Know

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U.S. History: Need to Know. Bearport, 2024. $20.95 ea. $125.70 Set of 6. 32 p. Grades 2-4. 

Kenney, Karen Latchana. The Great Depression. 979-8-888-22029-0.
Faust, Daniel R. The Drafting of the Constitution. 979-8-888-22033-7.
Kenney, Karen Latchana. The Dust Bowl. 979-8-888-22031-3.
Kenney, Karen Latchana. The Great Depression. 979-8-888-22030-6.
Faust, Daniel R. The Lewis and Clark Expedition. 979-8-888-22028-3.
Faust, Daniel R. The Revolutionary War. 979-8-888-22032-0.

Important events in American history are explored in the U.S. History: Need to Know series. Each volume breaks down the event into easy to understand segments. For example, the volume on The Great Depression has chapters on the stock market crash, panic in the economy, farm failures, and the Dust Bowl, FDR, and the New Deal, etc. Sidebars highlight key facts and points of interest. The publisher indicates the text is presented in a dyslexic friendly font. Numerous historic photos are incorporated throughout the text. One important note regarding the historic photos–some have been colorized. (A publisher’s note on the copyright page does state this fact; however, as it is in the fine print, it is unlikely student readers would find the note on their own.) Back matter includes a review page where readers can review key terms, check for understanding, and think deeper. A glossary is also included. 

THOUGHTS: This series would appeal to history buffs as well as student researchers. Libraries looking to add to their American history collections may wish to consider this series for purchase. 

900s American History 

Elem./MG – Haunted History of the United States

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Haunted History of the United States. Abdo Publishing, 2024. $25.95 ea. $155.70 set of 6. 48 p. Grades 3-7.

Bradford Edwards, Sue. The Haunted History of San Antonio and the Alamo. 978-1-098-29254-6.
Gagne, Tammy. The Haunted History of Alcatraz Island. 978-1-098-29250-8.
—. The Haunted History of Salem, Massachusetts. 978-1-098-29253-9.
Hudak, Heather C. The Haunted History of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 978-1-098-29252-2.
Mihaly, Christy. The Haunted History of Washington, DC. 978-1-098-29255-3.
Seigel, Rachel.  The Haunted History of Chicago, Illinois. 978-1-098-29251-5.

This informative series offers historical information about notable American sites reputed to be haunted. The Haunted History of San Antonio and the Alamo starts with an anecdote: James L. Choron visited the Alamo in 1990 and discovered that his daughter could see and communicate with a spirit named Jaime, a Mexican soldier. The Emily Morgan Hotel, formally a medical building, is also said to be haunted by former patients. Some guests at the hotel claim to open their hotel room door to find the hallway looks like the inside of a hospital. When they close the door and open it again, the hospital scene is gone. A former jail by the Alamo is also haunted by past prisoners, especially those that were sentenced to death and hanged inside the building. The Spanish Governor’s Palace is also plagued by hauntings. Paranormal crews have investigated this historical building and even recorded a video of a ghost turning a flashlight on and off. While many people believe in ghosts, others do not. Psychologists believe we see things that are not there because our brain fills in missing information from what we observe with our eyes and ears. Whether or not these sites are haunted, they certainly are full of history and charm. 

THOUGHTS: Each volume in this paranormal series includes personal anecdotes and explores the various reasons why people believe in ghosts. It also provides rational, natural, psychological, and scientific explanations for the paranormal phenomena, ensuring both viewpoints are represented. The books are visually engaging, featuring fact boxes and sidebars that add extra information. Student activities peppered throughout the book promote comprehension and critical thinking. The back matter includes a glossary, index, bibliography, and additional digital resources. This is a solid series for upper elementary and middle grade libraries, especially those in which spooky stories circulate frequently. 

100s Paranormal & Occultism

Elem./MG – Fighting For Freedom

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Fighting For Freedom. Stride, an imprint of The Child’s World, 2024. $35.64 ea. $285.12 Set of 8, 32 p. Grades 3-6. 

Adamson, Thomas K. The American Revolution. 978-1-503-88053-5. 
—. The Civil War. 978-1-503-88054-2. 
—. World War I. 978-1-503-88058-0. 
—. World War II. 978-1-503-88059-7
Streissguth, Tom. The Korean War. 978-1-503-88056-6. 
—. The Vietnam War. 978-1-503-88057-3
Winter, Max. The Afghanistan War. 978-1-503-88457-1.
Yasuda, Anita. The Gulf War. 978-1-503-88055-9.

This reviewer evaluated the titles The Gulf War and The Afghanistan War. The Gulf War begins with a “Fast Facts” chapter before beginning a clear walk through of the events in this conflict. The book covers (in simple terms) the causes of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and also the American response through Operation Desert Storm (1990-1991). It also includes stories of war heroes like Colonel David Eberly, who was held as a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down. The Gulf War contains a succinct timeline, glossary, bibliography, and a hyperlink to visit more online sources curated by The Child’s World. The Afghanistan War is laid out in a similar fashion with 32 pages of information, maps, and photographs detailing the events of ‘America’s longest war’. The book ends with August 2021 when the last United States military planes fled Kabul, Afghanistan, and the Taliban returned to full strength in the country.

THOUGHTS: Both books reviewed each contain a wealth of information in their 32 pages; they are cohesive and tell a clear story about their respective conflicts. The military interventions discussed here can be complicated even for adults to understand, but the authors clearly break down the main events, people, and places to be comprehensible for upper-elementary-aged students. It is surprising that this series does not reference any current-day consequences of or comparisons to these conflicts, but the omission of current events might also make this series a more timeless purchase for school libraries. Each book in this series is a time capsule that clearly explains the subject of the book alone; the authors do not attempt to connect the historical events to our present-day. Two recommended purchases about modern (1990-2021) conflicts to bolster the military history section of upper-elementary and middle school libraries.

940.4-973.7 History

MG/YA – A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School (Adapted for Young Readers)

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LaNier, Carlotta Walls, and Lisa Frazier Page. A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School (Adapted for Young Readers). Delacorte Press, 2023. 978-0-593-48675-7. $17.99. 294 p. Grades 5-10.

A Mighty Long Way is the first person account of Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine–the first nine students to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Walls LaNier grew up in a close-knit community, full of extended family and friends. Her family placed a high value on education, and Carlotta enjoyed school and was a good student. When, following the Supreme Court ruling ordering desegregation of schools, the opportunity arose for Carlotta to attend Little Rock Central High School, noted for its excellent academic programs, Carlotta immediately signed up. Thus, with eight other students, she enrolled in the school in the fall of 1957. The members of the group faced many challenges, including regular verbal and physical abuse from some students. Their family members lost jobs and had to leave town to find employment. In 1960, the Walls’ home was bombed while Carlotta and her family slept inside. Despite these obstacles, Carlotta graduated from Central High in 1960, and went on to earn a college degree, become a realtor, and raise a family.

THOUGHTS: This powerful first-person account deserves a spot on shelves in libraries serving middle and high school students. It would also be an excellent choice for book studies in American history classes.

Biography

Elem – I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871

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Tarshis, Lauren. I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871. Scholastic, 2023.  978-1-338-82515-2. 158 p. $10.99. Grades 3-6. 

Eleven-year-old Oscar has only lived in Chicago for a few hours before he finds himself at the center of one of the deadliest fires in American history. Oscar never wanted to move to the big city, leaving his family farm behind, but when his mother remarries, she and Oscar relocate to Chicago to move in with his new stepfather. While still at the train station, Oscar’s luggage is stolen, and as he tries to track down one of the thieves, he’s separated from his family. Fire breaks out while he’s finding his way back, and suddenly showers of sparks are everywhere. With fire crackling at every turn, Oscar’s courage is put to the test as he struggles to find safety, and reconnect with his family, in an unfamiliar city. Backmatter includes a note from Lauren Tarshis as well as historical photographs and drawings of the way Chicago looked before the  Great Fire. 

THOUGHTS: The graphic novel format works well for telling this story, and the full-color panel illustrations effectively capture the chaos, confusion, and fear of Oscar and others as they navigate through the burning city on the evening of October 8, 1871. Hand this to fans of the original I Survived chapter books and to readers looking for plenty of fast-paced action. 

Graphic Novel

YA – The Monster’s Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex and How It Shook Our World

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Randall, David K. The Monster’s Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex and How It Shook Our World. Norton Young Readers, 2023. 978-1-324-06453-4. 192 p. $19.95. Grades 7-12.

This captivating read reveals the birth of American paleontology, the dogged determination behind the discovery of the first T. Rex fossil, and the making of a modern American museum. The title is a bit misleading; while T. Rex is included in all its glory, the real focus here is on the young scientist, enthusiast, and adventurer Barnum Brown.  How did a young man born & raised on a Kansas farm and coal mine become an unstoppable world explorer? How did a centuries old fossil, admittedly large, come to capture the imagination of Americans and revolutionize history, science, literature, film and more? Randall succeeds in providing a detailed account of Brown’s life and his surprising skill at locating dinosaur bones. When in 1902 he dug up the first Tyrannosaurus Rex, the world noticed. Put on display in the struggling American Museum of Natural History, led by the wealthy Henry Fairfield Osborn, the colossal one-of-a-kind fossil ignited the public and ushered in support for the fledgling field of paleontology, and a race for who would find the next fossil as well. Brown never stopped and became the undisputed expert on dinosaur fossils. His energy seeps through every page of this book.

THOUGHTS: This young readers’ edition of Randall’s The Monster’s Bones (2022) will draw in readers interested in dinosaurs, American history, and excellent narrative nonfiction. This is a must-purchase for all middle and high school collections.

973 American History

YA – America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History

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Aberg-Riger, Ariel. America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History. Balzer + Bray, 2023. 978-0-063-05753-1. 392 p. $24.99. Grades 9-12.

In her Preface, author Ariel Aberg-Riger notes that her relationship with history developed not through memorizing dates, but through images, and specifically the stories behind the people in pictures. America Redux reflects this sensibility, and the subtitle really says it all: visual stories from our dynamic history. The author and illustrator places “movements and events and people from across time in conversation with one another in a way that […] offers some insight into who we are as a country.” Chapters titles are phrases that might be used in a traditional history textbook, e.g. The Good Old Days, Home of the Brave, and Down on the Farm. Brief and highly visual chapters then subvert expectations by connecting these phrases to the experiences of folks who have too often been marginalized, silenced, or even erased from American history. For example, Spreading Democracy focuses on the efforts of Native American, Black, immigrant, and disabled women (not only the “traditional” suffragists) to secure the right to vote. The Home of the Brave centers people living with AIDS who joined forces to fight for more equitable drug trials and expanded access to treatments. The Old Ballgame explores forced segregation in America’s national pastime. Every page includes handwritten text and collage art (created with public domain images using Photoshop and Procreate); striking images complement and expand upon the text. 

THOUGHTS: Like Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, America Redux is not unbiased and may be considered controversial. However, Aberg-Riger fully succeeds in creating a stunning visual depiction of American history and inviting the reader to engage with a potentially new perspective. 

Graphic Novel
973 American History

YA – Hanged! Mary Surratt & The Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln

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Miller, Sarah. Hanged! Mary Surratt & The Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Random House, 2022. 978-9-593-19156-0. 333 p. $18.99. Grades 9-12.

While the name John Wilkes Booth is infamous in American history, the name Mary Surratt is less well known today. Yet in 1865, they were equally famous, their names appearing in the paper with others, all connected to the same crime–the plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Mary Surratt was a widow and devout Catholic who owned and ran a boarding house in Washington, D.C. It was in this boarding house the conspirators involved in the plots to assassinate President Lincoln and other government officials regularly met. Surratt’s son, John Surratt, was a friend of John Wilkes Booth and an active member of the conspiracy. But was Mary? The government certainly thought so. In the days following the assassination, she was arrested and, despite the fact that she was a civilian, put on trial in front of a military tribunal. Newspaper coverage of the time was harsh, often prejudicial to the accused (and sexist in their descriptions of Mary). Despite sometimes wildly conflicting witness statements, Mary Surratt was found guilty of conspiracy, sentenced to death, and executed. Questions have lingered ever since about Mary’s guilt or innocence. Author Sarah Miller (The Border Murders) examines Mary Surratt’s life and story in Hanged! Mary Surratt & The Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Numerous primary source documents (newspaper articles, letters, trial transcripts, photos) are incorporated throughout the text.

THOUGHTS: This title is an example of nonfiction at its best. Readers quickly will find themselves immersed in Mary’s story, on the scene in the boarding house as she is arrested and later, listening to witnesses at the military tribunal. Will appeal to readers of biography, true crime, history, or those with an interest in the Civil War era. An excellent choice for those researching the assassination of President Lincoln and the related conspiracy. 

973.7 Civil War          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – Pets of Presidents (Series NF)

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Hansen, Grace. Pets of Presidents. Abdo Kids, 2022. $21.95 ea. $131.70 set of 6. 24 p. Grades K-2. 

Birds of Presidents. 978-1-098-20923-0.
Cats of Presidents. 978-1-098-20924-7.
Dogs of Presidents. 978-1-098-20925-4.
Farm Pest of Presidents. 978-1-098-20926-1.
Horses of Presidents. 978-1-098-20927-9.
Unusual Pets of Presidents. 978-1-098-20928-5.

This series focuses on a unique part of presidential history – the pets of presidents and their families. Each two page spread features age appropriate text identifying the president and the pet(s) owned by their family. A historical image of the president (or family) is accompanied by a contemporary photo of the pet species they owned. This reviewer had an opportunity to read Birds of Presidents. While the overall book was very informative, the spread featuring the Teddy Roosevelt family and their macaw had text that simply mentioned “The Roosevelts” and a photo showing Teddy Roosevelt, Jr. with the macaw. It would have been clearer to the reader had the text indicated that “The Roosevelts” referred specifically to the Theodore Roosevelt family (since, after all, two Roosevelts have occupied the Oval Office). Each volume also features a picture glossary and a link to additional online resources. 

THOUGHTS: An interesting angle on presidential history that will appeal to both animal fans and history fans, this series is a worthwhile additional purchase for libraries looking to add to their presidential collections. 

973 American History          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem – Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

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Rockliff, Mara. Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Random House Studio, 2022. 978-1-524-72064-3. $18.99. Grades 2-4.

Georgia Gilmore was cooking away when the news broke that Rosa Parks was arrested because she would not let a white man sit in her seat on the public bus. The outrage was loud, with radios urging people to boycott the bus on December 5, 1955. Throughout the protests and concerns, Georgia continued to cook and feed the protesters and raise money for support. Even when Georgia herself was fired, she continued to cook to do her part to help support the movement that was so critical to her and many Americans.

THOUGHTS: A nicely illustrated biography about Georgia Gilmore and the help and support she gave throughout the bus boycott. She personally met Martin Luther King Jr. and received support from him throughout this important part of American history. Overall this book is a great view of the bus boycott of Montgomery through the eyes of a person readers may not know about.

323.092 Civil Rights Leaders          Rachel Burkhouse, Otto-Eldred SD
Biography
Picture Book