(3) YA Defining Images series. Cornell explores Mathew Brady's Civil War photographs and their role in the development of photojournalism. In addition to the war itself, this series installment focuses on Brady's life and career--with sections on technical and practical aspects of photography at the time--resulting in a compelling interplay of history, photography, and biography. Additional information on key photographs appended. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 A train trip seems "way cool" until Grandma scolds, "No electronics...no texting, no tweeting, no e-mailing." Stopping at the Harpers Ferry Civil War Museum is boring compared to video games--until a time-slip adventure brings the protagonists face-to-face with Abraham Lincoln. Though the text can be heavy-handed, Polacco's fans won't be disappointed by the fantasy adventure or her sketchlike illustrations.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. Archival photographs, maps, well-documented citations, and interviews combine with a straightforward text to provide a comprehensive biography of the man considered to be the father of photojournalism. This worthy series entry provides a balanced portrayal of Brady's contributions to both history and photography. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. In their coverage of Civil War battles, Mathew Brady and his team of photographers paved the way for future photojournalists. Appropriately, Brady's photographs are the focus here; they're accompanied by a choppy leveled text that gives readers a glimpse of Brady's work as well as what life was like for those directly involved in the war. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 4-6 Armstrong first provides a factual overview of the war and then focuses on showing how photographs, Mathew Brady's prints in particular, allowed noncombatants to see how the war looked on battlefields. The principals have photographic space here, but so do the foot soldiers, the dead and wounded, barren farmlands, and civilians. The dual perspective, while rich in context, results in some omissions. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2005

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These competently written biographies cover a wide range of subjects who lived between the American Revolution and World War II. The texts are supplemented by black-and-white photographs and reproductions, as well as information boxes that provide colorful background information or place events within historical context. The final pages of each volume discuss the legacy of each subject. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta