The Life and Times of Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. Civil War

Gr 2–4—In this history-in-a-thimble series, Kirkman balances brevity with substance. The history of each era is described by honing in on the role of a key individual during that time. Each title opens with background information that provides readers with an understanding of why and how the featured event came to be. For instance, before delving into the Civil War, the author describes how state laws about slavery and different styles of commerce caused a rift between the North and South. Or before tackling the pivotal moments of the American Revolution in George Washington, the author explains how the colonies came to be and why they were ruled by Britain. These brief backstories segue easily into the topic events and individuals. However, there is a weak link. First Americans is a general introduction to four regions in the United States and the common characteristics of tribal life in those areas in the past ("Tribes in the North used trees from the forest to make their homes. Some tribes lived in longhouses. Others lived in wigwams."). Furthermore, there is no mention of native peoples in the South or Southeast in this title. Across the board, the layout is attractive and the content is well-organized and concisely written. The illustrations are full-color and complement the accompanying text nicely.