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YA
Presidential Powerhouses series.
Through these four significant presidencies, the continuing series examines milestones in America's history including the Louisiana Purchase, American Indian removal, the Civil War, and the dawn of the Progressive Era. Each president's early life, administration milestones, and ultimate legacy are discussed in detailed chapters filled with maps and period photos or illustrations. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Presidential Powerhouses titles: Abraham Lincoln's Presidency, Thomas Jefferson's Presidency, Theodore Roosevelt's Presidency, and Andrew Jackson's Presidency.
(4)
4-6
Wild West series.
This series presents condensed information about the development of the American West in the 1800s (e.g., the Louisiana Purchase; building the Transcontinental Railroad) and the people who helped shape this region. Although details are limited, these books may inspire a deeper curiosity about this colorful historical period. Sidebars, maps, captioned archival photographs and paintings, and back matter activity prompts add interest. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Wild West titles: Famous Lawmen, The Oregon Trail, The Pony Express, The Louisiana Purchase, Notorious Outlaws, Women of the American West, and The Transcontinental Railroad.
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4-6
Presidential Perspectives series.
These books look at significant events by focusing on the sitting presidents' actions and motivations. The simply written texts are informative; some events are presented out of chronological order, but timelines help reorient readers. Sidebars include opposing viewpoints, primary source quotes, writing prompts, and critical-thinking questions. The open design includes archival reproductions and photos. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Presidential Perspectives titles: The Civil Rights Movement through the Eyes of Lyndon B. Johnson, World War I through the Eyes of Woodrow Wilson, September 11 through the Eyes of George W. Bush, and The Louisiana Purchase through the Eyes of Thomas Jefferson.
48 pp.
| Boyds/Calkins
| September, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-62091-628-5$16.95
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4-6
Illustrated by
Stacy Innerst.
Jefferson's passion for agriculture takes center stage in this dense picture-book biography. Beginning with his rebuttal of foreign gibes at American wildlife, Jefferson's many efforts to promote America as a nation of farmers are chronicled, including growing new crops, smuggling rice, and commissioning Lewis and Clark's expedition. Playful gouache paintings accompany a well-researched text; an afterword considers Jefferson's slave ownership. Timeline. Bib.
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4-6
Fact Finders: Cause and Effect series.
These books present cursory accounts of two key events of American history. Causes of selected occurrences are presented, followed by the outcomes that resulted and their implications for the future. Numerous sidebars and inserts are sometimes redundant or distracting. Maps, charts, and illustrations accompany the suitable texts. Common Core critical thinking prompts are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Cause and Effect titles: Mr. Madison's War and Expanding a Nation.
48 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| July, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2902-6$23.93
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4-6
What Would You Do? series.
These volumes present the challenging decisions confronting both common people and well-known figures from the Revolutionary War through the gold rush days. Archival photographs and maps add context to the multiple perspectives while sidebars pose the question, "What Would You Do?" The accessible texts target younger readers; however, the questions to ponder address a more sophisticated audience. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Battle of Gettysburg, The California Gold Rush, George Washington Crosses the Delaware, The Louisiana Purchase, and The Revolutionary War Begins.
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4-6
Making a New Nation series.
These books survey American history from the first European settlers to the beginning of World War I. The stories are told through a series of vignettes, sidebars, and inserts. Also included are maps, charts, graphs, drawings, and archival photographs. The episodic treatment gives little specific information but will be useful as introductions. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Making a New Nation titles: A Changing Nation, Colonial America, The Louisiana Purchase, and Westward to the Pacific.
128 pp.
| Enslow/Links.com
| November, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-59845-018-2$33.27
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4-6
Wild History of the American West series.
These books chronicle the history of the events, places, and personalities that played major roles in the expansion and settlement of the American West. The readable texts are well researched and informative. The screen shots used to illustrate the books are poorly reproduced, but archival photographs, maps, and drawings add interest. Chapter notes are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Wild History of the American West titles: The Gold Rush to California's Riches, The Amazing Erie Canal and How A Big Ditch Opened Up the West, What Made the Wild West Wild , The Oregon Trail and the Daring Journey West by Wagon, The Louisiana Purchase, Bleeding Kansas and the Violent Clash over Slavery in the Heartland, and The Pony Express and its Death-Defying Mail Carriers.
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4-6
Don't Know Much About series.
Illustrated by
Rob Shepperson.
A question-and-answer approach is used in these books about two Americans, taking the reader from their subjects' early lives through adulthood. In addition to the accomplishments of each and the effect they had on American history, Davis includes little-known details of their lives. The cluttered format includes sidebars, drawings and archival photographs. Timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Don't Know Much About titles: Don't Know Much about Rosa Parks and Don't Know Much about Thomas Jefferson.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| January, 2000
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-1301-4$$19.95
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4-6
In American History series.
Seven important chapters in American history are recounted in volumes that identify participants, discuss the prevailing political and public opinions of each era, and outline its historical legacy. The books are clearly written though incomplete in some aspects; selections from historic documents or primary sources are included in boxed sections. The volumes' black-and-white photos are often too dark. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.
144 pp.
| National
| October, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-7922-7013-4$$18.95
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4-6
Blumberg incisively presents the 1803 Louisiana Purchase in the context of global politics, individuals' ambitions, and, quite frequently, shortsighted views of potential gains. The contest between Napoleon's ambition and Jefferson's vision is the focal point that gives unity to the whole. A well-told tale, handsomely produced and profusely illustrated with reproductions and maps. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Mary M. Burns
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 1998
96 pp.
| Benchmark
| September, 1998
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-0778-2$$19.95
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4-6
Drama of American History series.
Focusing on specific periods in early American "political and institutional history," this series is accessible and easy to use and, despite generalizations, will be useful for report writing. Illustrated with historic reproductions in color and in black and white, the books' design imparts a traditional textbook look, though the authors maintain an inviting tone in the text. Bib., ind.