Jennifer Prince

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.

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.

By clearly delineating their causes and effects, these books briefly recount two tragic events in U.S./Native American history: Custer's ill-fated attempt to bring Lakota tribes into submission (Last) and the Cherokee Nation's removal from the east to Indian Territory in Oklahoma (Forced). Illustrations, charts, and maps enhance the lackluster texts. Common Core critical thinking prompts are included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fact Finders: Cause and Effect: American Indian History titles: Last Stand and Forced Removal.