A Kids' Guide to America's First Ladies

Gr 4–6—Krull covers 45 first ladies in compact style, with tidbits readers will find intriguing. Abigail Adams hung laundry inside the White House, putting the presidential underclothes on view. Anna Harrison had 10 children. At one point, Jackie Kennedy and her kids had nine dogs in the White House. Krull isn't afraid to mention issues like slave ownership and infidelity, although with about five pages per figure, the profiles tend to stay on the surface. Each chapter is accompanied by at least one full-page illustration, and boxed highlights appear every few pages. A chronological "Women Break Through" time line appears periodically, noting events such as Harriet Tubman's activities with the Underground Railroad, the founding of the League of Women Voters, and Sandra Day O'Connor's appointment to the Supreme Court. The book is set to include 2016 election results. Students who have enjoyed Krull's "Giants of Science" series will recognize her middle grade—friendly mix of facts and humor.