Jennifer Prince

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Abraham Lincoln: The 16th President

Josh GREGORY | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Though these are sanitized biographies, they're suitable for the audience.

Each highly abbreviated biography of a U.S. president uses a variety of visual and textual elements arranged informally on pages designed to look like cork bulletin boards. The brief, uninspired narratives are supported by photographs or period illustrations with captions and short sidebars in campaign-button graphics. Two famous quotes are appended. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following First Look at America's Presidents titles: Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and James Madison.

Aztec

Sarah TIECK | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Simple and solid introductions.

These books give brief overviews of Native American nations, discussing their past and present territory, daily life, art and handicrafts, and spiritual beliefs. Famous (male) leaders of the past--e.g., Montezuma II, Chief Joseph, and Chief Temcumseh--are also highlighted. Choppy texts paired with contemporary and historic photos provide adequate introductory information. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Buddy Books: Native Americans titles: Aztec, Blackfoot, Nez Perce, and Shawnee.

A Primary Source History of U.S. Independence

Steven OTFINOSKI | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Strong options for introducing the concept of primary source analysis.

Clear double-page spreads feature a variety of visual elements including charts, graphs, and maps; reproduced photographs and documents; and sidebars with critical-thinking questions. The series purports to promote the importance of primary source material, though the direct quotes in red font are injected rather unnaturally into the narratives. Still, these are adequate starting points for American history research. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Primary Source History titles: A Primary Source History of U.S. Independence and A Primary Source History of Slavery in the United States.

Life During the Industrial Revolution

Bethany ONSGARD | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Concise and well organized, with a broad perspective, this series is first-rate.

Designed to engage students for Common Core standards, these United States history books present their material in various ways, including simplified summaries, quotations from primary sources, "perspectives" sidebars, suggested activities and discussion questions, and "Day in the Life" segments. Archival photos and/or period-style illustrations break up the chapters. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Daily Life in US History titles: Life During the Industrial Revolution, Life During the Revolutionary War, Life During the Great Depression, and Life on the Frontier.

Shadow Catcher: How Edward S. Curtis Documented American Indian Dignity and Beauty

Don NARDO | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Informative and downright gorgeous.

Andrew J. Russell's job was to "document one of the largest construction projects ever attempted in the United States": the building of a transcontinental railroad. In 1869 he took "The Champagne Photo," famously recording eastern and western track-layers meeting in the middle of the country. In a spacious design, the well-written narrative is illustrated with numerous archival photographs. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Stories of Women's Suffrage: Votes for Women!

Cath SENKER | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Skip these volumes.

The series profiles American and British women--e.g, Emmaline Pankhurst (Suffrage) and Betty Friedan (1960s)--who challenged their era's social norms. Contextualized with period quotations, the readable volumes cover the suffrage movement, the fight for civil liberties, sexism in the workplace, and socioeconomic issues. Scarcely illustrated (more photographs would be helpful), these are adequate surveys of period activists. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Women's Stories from History titles: Stories of Women's Suffrage and Stories of Women in the 1960s.

Gunslingers and Cowboys

Frederick NOLAN | SERIES MADE SIMPLE, Apr 01, 2015

Good choices for those looking to bulk up their Wild West collections.

This blandly designed volume chronicles conflicts occurring from the 1600s through the 1880s between Native Americans and European settlers. Significant events, including the massacres at Sand Creek and Wounded Knee and battles at Apache Pass and Little Bighorn, are briefly recounted, identifying causes, personalities, and outcomes. Archival photographs accompany the unvarnished portrayal of this shameful period of American history. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.