(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. The lively easy-reader series about American history continues to offer beginning readers entertaining and lesser-known facts surrounding popular topics. This edition covers monuments and landmarks, in particular the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, FDR's secret train station under the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and Mount Rushmore. Fabbretti's amusing illustrations add an extra level of kid-friendly interest. Facts and a quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 1-3 Stepping Stone: Commander in Cheese series. Illustrated by AG Ford. When the "country mice" living in Mount Rushmore are robbed, Ava and Dean Squeakerton (the White House's mouse inhabitants) head to South Dakota to set things right. Leavitt incorporates facts from American history in the tame mystery, even addressing Mount Rushmore's problematic placement on American Indian land. Friendly grayscale illustrations highlight key moments. Additional historical facts and a map are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) 4-6 Codename Conspiracy series. When Agent Nineteen's life is threatened by a deadly virus that's fallen into enemy hands, ex-spy Carson (Codename Zero) is tasked with breaking into a secret lab inside of Mt. Rushmore to save the day--while on a school field trip. Action-packed and humorous, this installment adds interesting character development as things get more serious and Carson struggles with some realistic moral dilemmas.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport. Lincoln Borglum was young when his father Gutzon was commissioned to carve Mount Rushmore. Lincoln learned much from his father, and his hard work and skills earned him the honor of finishing the project after Gutzon's death. Interesting details combine with bold acrylic and pastel illustrations to add perspective and significance to this little-known historic figure. Limited follow-up resources weaken the volume. Bib.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 1-3 Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures series. Illustrated by Macky Pamintuan. Written by Sara Pennypacker. These brief chapter books find our hero using his state of flatness to rescue his friend from a rockslide at Mount Rushmore and to foil tomb raiders in Egypt. With their breezy "Oh, golly" tone and broad humor (also apparent in the black-and white cartoons) deftly mimicking the originals, these geography-themed books will likely be popular with kids and social studies teachers. Review covers these Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures titles: The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery and The Mount Rushmore Calamity.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Now That's Big! series. This series highlights marvels of human engineering. Building on a massive scale takes huge effort, and crisp photographs in clean layouts illustrate these monumental feats. The large-font texts, though informative, can be choppy and vague ("People in South Dakota made Mount Rushmore to get other people to visit their state," "People love working in or visiting the Empire State Building"). Reading list. Glos., ind. Review cover these Now That's Big! titles: Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, and Mount Rushmore.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America series. Illustrated by John Wallace. For children gaining confidence in reading, the stories of the presidential heads on Mount Rushmore and of America's most famous river--the Mississippi--will be enjoyable reading that might make kids want to visit these landmarks. Bauer's writing is succinct, factual, and interesting--especially with the support of Wallace's simple, unfussy illustrations. Additional information is included at the end of each text. Review covers these Ready-to-Read: Wonders of America titles: The Mighty Mississippi and Mount Rushmore.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. These informative introductions to manmade American landmarks address the historical background, building/sculpting process, and significance of each project. Challenges such as finding the right mountain to carve, adapting a bridge in an earthquake zone, and building an early skyscraper are highlighted. The accessible text is accented by strong photographs and appealing layouts. Maps, "Quick Facts." Glos., ind. Review covers these Modern Wonders of the World titles: Mount Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, and Empire State Building.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Places in American History series. The construction and significance of six American monuments are explored through stock photos and unexceptional text geared to the second-grade student. Each volume introduces noteworthy figures involved in the building project and describes each structure as it appears today. First report writers will find adequate information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Places in American History titles: The Golden Gate Bridge, The Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, The Statue of Liberty, The Washington Monument, and The White House.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Each of these books introduces readers to a historical American site, briefly discussing history, key individuals, and the site's relevance today. Double-page spreads consist of a full-page photo facing a page of large-type text. Although the writing is choppy at times and the sequence of information not always logical, these four short books provide adequate general overviews of their subjects. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(2) 4-6 In this celebration of a truly remarkable artistic achievement, the text is succinct but thorough, presenting information about the site, the choice of the four presidents to be immortalized, clear explanations of the engineering principles and artistic decisions involved, and biographical information about the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. The illustrations are an exultant view into the nature of art and, yes, patriotism. Bib.

Reviewer: Mary M. Burns | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1999

(4) YA Building History series. These books do a credible job of exploring the history and impact of these public structures: a maximum-security prison, a large-scale national monument, and a transportation system that drew a country together. The volumes will be useful for reports, but the low-contrast, muddy quality of the photos detracts from the books' overall appeal. The time line in each book is a helpful feature. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Cornerstones of Freedom series. Reconstruction discusses the political and civil rights climate in Congress and in the South following the Civil War. Mount Rushmore provides a look at the almost twenty-year process of the sculpting of this national monument. The large-type texts are both supported by well-reproduced archival photos, sketches, and political cartoons. Time lines are included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow