(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Fred Harper. As in George Washington's Rules to Live By, Kostyal pitches fifty iconic and inspirational adages from Franklin's writings to today's youth. Categories include tranquility, industry, order, humility, and more. Each quotation is followed by Kostyal's explanation and brief historical information. Harper's caricature illustrations add a touch of humor to the otherwise preachy vibe. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Fred Harper. Kostyal selects fifty rules of conduct from young Washington's personal journal that remain appropriate for today's youth; categories include table etiquette, decorum, hygiene, and integrity. Each rule is written in the vernacular of Washington's Colonial era and is followed by explanatory comments and light historical information. Caricaturist Harper's comical illustrations are often grotesquely exaggerated, but they lighten the didactic tone. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Lori Epstein. Kostyal describes Christmas traditions in Colonial Williamsburg; while much less opulent than those of today, they were more elaborate and festive than others in the colonies. Archival artwork and clear photographs of reenactors accompany a few holiday recipes, crafts, and some Christmas history. Those who enjoy investigating old traditions may find some new ideas for their own holiday celebrations. Reading list, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Lori Epstein. This book presents an overview of the clashes between the Union and Confederate armies in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, strategically located between Richmond, VA, and Washington, D.C. Emphasis is on the devastating battle of December, 1862, during which "the Union loses badly." Eyewitness accounts, written in letters and diaries, enhance the historical narrative, as do photographs of battle reenactors. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Photographs by Lori Epstein Renda. Reenactment photographs show a cobbler in his shop, servants in a kitchen, and other scenes of everyday life in Williamsburg, Virginia, during the American Revolution. The photos are a bit too spic-and-span, but the clear text provides historical context and describes efforts by historians and archaeologists to uncover previously unknown details about the lives of Native Americans and enslaved Africans. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 Following the Antarctic explorations of Shackleton, the book emphasizes his 1914 trek to the South Pole in which his ship, the Endurance, became frozen in ice and was destroyed. The text is adequate; far more compelling are the two-tone archival photographs showing the intrepid explorers and their doomed vessel trapped in a world of ice and snow. A time line is included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta