(3) 4-6 American Places: From Vision to Reality series. This series highlights six of America's most famous and symbolic landmarks, touching on their history, the individuals involved in their creation, the engineering challenges faced, and the eventual construction and completion of these national icons. Sidebars and plentiful illustrations and photographs add clarity to the succinct, direct texts; historical images of construction are especially appealing. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following American Places: From Vision to Reality titles: The Golden Gate Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, The White House, Colonial Williamsburg, The Empire State Building, and The Hoover Dam.

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

(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) K-3 Illustrated by Margie Moore. Colonial Williamsburg provides the historic setting for this story of a community coming together to help retrieve Garrick the gardener's horse, Lancer. Rhyming text describes the merry chase the villagers (all are animals) make through town, shown in lively black-pen and watercolor illustrations. The troubles end at the blacksmith shop where Lancer finds a new friend. Glos.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) YA Colonial Settlements in America series. These volumes present information about individual colonial settlements in North America. Each book painstakingly recounts the background of the people, places, and ideas that fostered the new communities. The writing is a bit mechanical and won't fully engage readers' imaginations. The many photographs, reproductions, and sidebar information provide more detail and atmosphere. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Colonial Settlements in America titles: Jamestown, Plymouth, Williamsburg, and Philadelphia.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) YA Thirteen-year-old Nathaniel, an indentured servant, lives in Williamsburg with his master, Basil, who rescued him from an abusive relationship with another master. After Basil enlists in the Patriot army, Nathaniel (who is too young to fight) joins as a fifer. Nathaniel struggles with questions related to indentured servitude and slavery. History buffs will enjoy this fast-paced, well-researched historical novel. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Here the graphics, font, and contorted human figure representing each letter are suitably inspired by eighteenth-century originals, and the objects pictured--such as floorcloth and ink balls--are easily viewed at Colonial Williamsburg. Chorao uses softened colors and projects an upbeat attitude in this well-grounded book, with enough referents to make each letter interesting but not too many to crowd the pages. Glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Young Americans series. After her father's death, nine-year-old Maria takes care of her younger siblings and the domestic chores while her mother struggles to keep their printing business going. Based on the trials of a real family, the book includes biographical information about Maria and historical notes on colonial Williamsburg and the printing trade. The prose is stiff, but Maria's concerns for her family's well-being will strike a chord.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(4) 4-6 Young Americans series. Although his father endorses a more moderate relationship between the colonies and Great Britain, eleven-year-old John finds himself supporting his older brother's more revolutionary stance. Loosely based on the experiences of a real family in Colonial Williamsburg, the story is fast paced, but the dialogue often strains to include background material. An afterword places the story in historical context.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Young Americans series. Twelve-year-old Will Pelham's father takes a job as the gaoler for the city of Williamsburg, Virginia. As Will helps his father, he gets to know the prisoners. When he suspects that a runaway slave, whose plight he sympathizes with, is planning an escape, Will must decide what to do. This historically accurate and engaging story is based on the records of a real family. Background information is appended.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Young Americans series. Twelve-year-old Nancy worries that her father's reluctance to take a stand against the Stamp Act will have an adverse affect on the family business, and she has little patience for her stepmother's poor health during pregnancy. Inspired by the few facts known about the real Nancy Geddy, the short novel adequately portrays the concerns of a young Williamsburg girl. Historical information is appended.

Reviewer: Anne St. John