SERIES MADE SIMPLE

What's Your Story, Harriet Tubman?

by Ellen LABRECQUE
9781467779654. ea vol: 32p. (Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans). chron. ebook available. further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. Lerner. 2015. lib. ed. $26.65.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1–3—Covering major figures in U.S. history, these titles present content in an interview format. The subjects are questioned by Cub Reporter, a cartoon bear journalist, which sometimes leads to unusual or odd responses (for instance, Abraham Lincoln saying, "I was killed by a man named John Wilkes Booth."). The tone is conversational and readable, if less useful for informational purposes. The level of detail ranges from extremely specific (Harriet Tubman's father taught her which berries to eat for survival) to bafflingly imprecise (Helen Keller's "illness hurt my eyes and my ears"). A simple layout incorporates historical photographs, painted illustrations, and, occasionally, stock images.
VERDICT Though these are serviceable introductions to important historical figures, their value for research is limited.
Cub Reporter "interviews" American figures who overcame challenges to achieve their goals. Each subject responds to simplistic questions about his or her complicated life (e.g., "Were you ever afraid?" in Tubman) in a hokey first-person voice. Cartoons of a microphone-holding bear cub alternate with captioned photos or illustrations that extend information. The premise may work for reluctant readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans titles: What's Your Story, Harriet Tubman?, What's Your Story, Abraham Lincoln?, What's Your Story, Cesar Chavez?, What's Your Story, Helen Keller?.
Reviewed by Bob Hassett , Nov 01, 2015

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