(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. A fourteen-year-old runaway from San Francisco records his experiences in 1874 on the ship The Florence. Brian describes life at sea and presents a vividly detailed account of whaling as the ship sails the Pacific, stops in Hawaii, and is eventually abandoned in the icy waters of Alaska. An informational note and some archival images put this fictional account into historical perspective.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Finn Reardon, an Irish-American living in New York City in 1899, attends sixth grade, works as a newsboy each evening, and dreams of becoming a reporter. Bartoletti gives her reader a great deal of historical information in a novel that is more about a time period than about a character. An afterword explains which elements of the story, such as the newsboys' strike of 1899, are based on historical fact.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Leaving home because of his abusive stepfather, sixteen-year-old Rufus Rowe finds shelter at a soon-abandoned plantation, where he sees and records events surrounding the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862. His journal is mostly plausible and accurate, but some observations seem preternaturally wise. An afterword includes black-and-white period photographs.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. In his journal, thirteen-year-old C.J. Jackson writes of his farm family's experiences traveling from Oklahoma to California in 1935. The narrative gives a vivid picture of the grim life of Dust Bowl migrants: looking for back-breaking, low-wage work, living in "Hooverville" camps, and coping with prejudice. Accompanied by archival black-and-white photos, an afterword offers additional historical information.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. After his parents and sister drown crossing the Kaw River, thirteen-year-old Jedediah elects to remain with their wagon train group traveling westward. In this well-written book, Jedediah's diary entries record the hazards of the journey as well as moments of personal growth when he confronts his own prejudices. An afterword, illustrated with reproductions, places events within historical context.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Patrick, who joined the Marines just out of high school, is stationed at the Khe Sanh Combat Base in Vietnam. Patrick's journal entries record the horrors of the Tet Offensive, which includes losing close friends in battle. This gritty and detailed story is a companion to Where Have All the Flowers Gone?, which records the concurrent experiences of Patrick's sister. An afterword places events in historical perspective.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Sixteen-year-old Jesse records the experiences of his family as they are relocated by the U.S. government and walk the "Trail of Tears." Though a historical note provides background information, the fictional text also includes additional factual material that strains at the confines of the journal format and slows the pace of Jesse's story. A selection of historical reproductions is included.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. In his journal, seventeen-year-old Biddy Owens--"equipment manager, scorekeeper, errand boy, and sometimes right fielder" for the Birmingham Black Barons--describes his love of baseball. Myers, with his usual clear, strong writing voice, conveys the excitement, anger, frustration, and poignancy of the last years of the Negro Leagues. Appended is a brief historical note and archival photos.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Douglas Allen Deeds is fifteen years old when he uses the inheritance he receives upon his father's death to join up with the ill-fated Donner party. His journal chronicles daily life on the trail, the party's relentless bad luck, and member's shortening tempers with brutal honesty and naiveté. A historical note, map of the route, and black-and-white photos are appended.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Fifteen-year-old Otto describes his family's immigration to Minnesota in 1905. Otto, his parents, and sisters all find life in the iron mining community difficult and vastly different from their comfortable home in Finland. Historical facts are neatly woven into the story, which gains suspense with union struggles and a miners' strike. Historical notes, photos, and maps are appended.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(4) 4-6 My Name Is America series. In this fictional journal, a half-French, half-Omaha Indian runaway shadows the Lewis and Clark expedition before making his presence known and becoming a valued member of the crew. Gus's journal is readable but basically remains a by-the-numbers recitation of real-life events. A historical note and section of archival images provide additional information on Lewis and Clark's journey.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Fourteen-year-old Jasper recounts his voyage on the Mayflower and the first hard year in Plymouth. When trouble brews among some of the young men of the plantation, Jasper finds refuge with the Indians for a time. Written in a believable voice, the novel offers an interesting perspective on life aboard the ship and among the first colonists. An author's note is included.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Just the right blend of fear, sorrow, discontent, and determination permeates twelve-year-old Runt's reflections on his perilous voyage to "the Gold Mountain," the backbreaking work in the mining camps, and the anti-Chinese sentiment of American claim-stakers. Ample historical and cultural details more than make up for the anticlimactic epilogue. A historical note and contemporary photos and drawings are appended.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Sean's diary traces the two years he and his father spend working on the Union Pacific Railroad. Before the golden spike is laid in Promontory, Utah, Sean has progressed from water carrier to a member of the spiking crew, with each intervening job providing a different perspective on this historic labor experience. Factual information is well woven into the sometimes moving narrative. Notes, maps, and reproductions are appended.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. In two books written in journal format, Myers paints a vivid picture of sixteen-year-old Joshua's experience on his first cattle drive in 1871 and creates a credible voice for young Scott, whose early excitement is quickly tempered by the carnage at Omaha Beach. Historical notes, maps, and archival photos are included at the back of each book.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. In two books written in journal format, Myers paints a vivid picture of sixteen-year-old Joshua's experience on his first cattle drive in 1871 and creates a credible voice for young Scott, whose early excitement is quickly tempered by the carnage at Omaha Beach. Historical notes, maps, and archival photos are included at the back of each book.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) 4-6 My Name Is America series. After his family dies, twelve-year-old Will goes to Boston. He is taken in by Mrs. Thompson in exchange for his help around her tavern and becomes friends with a group of Revolutionary War patriots who meet there. The story lacks a focused plot, but Will's journal is filled with many details of eighteenth-century living. The book includes a historical note, maps, and engravings from the time.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Sixteen-year-old James joins the Union Army and is asked by his commanding officer to keep a journal of his company's exploits. A more embellished version than was intended, his journal is a personal reaction to death and privation, to war and blood, to loss and anger, and a sad but moving testament to lost youth. Illustrated with sketches by the author, reproductions, and maps.

Reviewer: Mary M. Burns