For far too long, students learned about the deeds of "great men," almost all of whom were white, or about "important events," which focused on those same men's exploits and achievements. As women and minorities gained political and academic power in the second half of the 20th century, new scholarship emerged that explores their contributions and those of the everyday folk whose collective attitudes, beliefs, and efforts contributed much to the country and exerted a huge influence on all the periods of its history. Many of the following series give students a glimpse into those lives.

Preschool - Grade 4

FISHER, Verna. Colonial Clothes. ISBN 978-1-936313-00-6; ISBN 978-1-936313-00-6; ISBN 978-1-936313-24-2. ————. Colonial Food. ISBN 978-1-936313-03-7; ISBN 978-1-934670-99-6; ISBN 978-1-936313-26-6. ————. Colonial Homes. ISBN 978-1-936313-02-0; ISBN 978-1-934670-98-9; ISBN 978-1-936313-25-9. ————. Colonial Jobs. ISBN 978-1-936313-19-8; ISBN 978-1-936313-18-1; ISBN 978-1-936313-27-3. ea vol: 27p. (Colonial Quest Series). illus. map. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Nomad. 2010. PLB $16.95; pap. $6.95; ebook $6.95. LC number unavailable. Gr 3-5—Primarily focused on white British colonists, these introductions to the occupations, clothing, food, and housing of Colonial America include some information about Native Americans. The narratives are limited to one or two paragraphs per page, supplemented with "Words to Know" definitions and "Did You Know?" and "Then and Now" sidebars that provide additional information or compare Colonial times with today. There are illustrations on every page (some cover entire spreads, with the text superimposed), but they are pedestrian and too simplistic to attract independent readers. These books fail to provide new or even more attractive information than extant titles and will be of little value to most collections. HEINRICHS, Ann. The Barber. chart. ISBN 978-0-7614-4800-6; ISBN 978-1-60870-275-6. LC 2009018626. ————. The Shoemaker. chart. ISBN 978-0-7614-4798-6; ISBN 978-1-60870-273-2. LC 2009007938. MARA, Wil. The Farmer. ISBN 978-0-7614-4797-9; ISBN 978-1-60870-272-5. LC 2009019580. ————. The Innkeeper. ISBN 978-0-7614-4796-2; ISBN 978-1-60870-271-8. LC 2009011873. ————. The Schoolmaster. ISBN 978-0-7614-4801-3; ISBN 978-1-60870-276-3. LC 2009029690. ————. The Silversmith. ISBN 978-0-7614-4804-4; ISBN 978-1-60870-278-7. LC 2009035563. PETERSEN, Christine. The Apothecary. ISBN 978-0-7614-4795-5; ISBN 978-1-60870-270-1. LC 2009015274. ————. The Blacksmith. ISBN 978-0-7614-4799-3; ISBN 978-1-60870-274-9. LC 2009024861. ————. The Printer. ISBN 978-0-7614-4802-0; ISBN 978-1-60870-277-0. LC 2009044588. ————. The Surveyor. map. ISBN 978-0-7614-4805-1; ISBN 978-1-60870-279-4. LC 2009033497. ea vol: 48p. (Colonial People Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2010. PLB $29.93; ebook $29.93. Gr 3-6—Each title in this well-written and appealing series opens with a chapter of background on the featured trade and its necessity to Colonial life, followed by chapters that describe how the tradesman lived and worked. The books close with a look at the worker's importance in his community and the evolution of his trade or its significance in early America. Layouts are clean and attractive, and large period illustrations and living-history photos, brief sidebars, and instructions for making simple projects enhance the texts, making these books strong choices. KISSOCK, Heather. Apache. ISBN 978-1-60596-991-6; ISBN 978-1-60596-992-3. LC 2010005331. ————. Caddo. ISBN 978-1-60596-979-4; ISBN 978-1-60596-980-0. LC 2010005334. ————. Cherokee. ISBN 978-1-60596-994-7; ISBN 978-1-60596-995-4. LC 2010005335. ————. Comanche. ISBN 978-1-60596-988-6; ISBN 978-1-60596-989-3. LC 2010005336. ————. Tigua. ISBN 978-1-60596-982-4; ISBN 978-1-60596-983-1. LC 2010005355. ea vol: illus. by Martha Jablonski-Jones. 24p. (American Indian Art and Culture Series). illus. photos. glossary. index. Web sites. Weigl. 2010. PLB $25.70; pap. $9.95. Gr 3-5—Bright, colorful photos are the strongest elements of these attractive introductions to the lives and cultures of Native American tribes. Chapter spreads describe the people and their homes, clothing, food, tools, transportation, music and dance, and art. The titles also include an illustrated retelling of a tribal legend or origin story and an easy cooking or craft activity. "Net Link[s]" sidebars point readers toward more about featured topics, but there are no print resources listed. Appealing and readable, these books are sure to attract students and are good choices for elementary collections.

Grades 5 and Up

ALLER, Susan Bivin. What Difference Could a Waterway Make?: And Other Questions About the Erie Canal. diags. ISBN 978-1-58013-667-9; ISBN 978-0-7613-6317-0. LC 2009035565. GONDOSCH, Linda. How Did Tea and Taxes Spark a Revolution?: And Other Questions About the Boston Tea Party. ISBN 978-1-58013-666-2; ISBN 978-0-7613-6315-6. LC 2009047329. JOSEPHSON, Judith Pinkerton. Why Did Cherokees Move West?: And Other Questions About the Trail of Tears. ISBN 978-1-58013-668-6; ISBN 978-0-7613-6318-7. LC 2009047196. KNUDSEN, Shannon. When Were the First Slaves Set Free During the Civil War?: And Other Questions About the Emancipation Proclamation. ISBN 978-1-58013-670-9; ISBN 978-0-7613-6314-9. LC 2009030527. RANSOM, Candice. Who Wrote the U.S. Constitution?: And Other Questions About the Constitutional Convention of 1787. ISBN 978-1-58013-669-3; ISBN 978-0-7613-6319-4. LC 20090047425. WAXMAN, Laura Hamilton. Why Did the Pilgrims Come to the New World?: And Other Questions About the Plymouth Colony. diag. ISBN 978-1-58013-665-5; ISBN 978-0-7613-6316-3. LC 2009031518. ea vol: 48p. (Six Questions of American History Series). illus. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. Lerner. 2010. PLB $29.27; ebook $21.95. Gr 5-7—The titular six questions in each book are clearly stated and are the guiding questions for its chapters. Authors include sufficient background and enough detail to answer the queries; and sidebars, quotes, primary-source excerpts, and period art and contemporary photos augment the texts. Although these topics have received wide coverage in extant titles, and the books offer little new information, the question-and-answer format will help readers identify and understand each topic's most salient aspects and will sharpen their nonfiction reading skills, making the books attractive options. BONVILLAIN, Nancy. The Nez Perce. 144p. ISBN 978-1-60413-791-0; ISBN 978-1-4381-3533-5. LC 2010016114. BOWES, John P. The Choctaw. 128p. ISBN 978-1-60413-788-0; ISBN 978-1-4381-3530-4. LC 2010011809. CROMPTON, Samuel Willard. The Mohawk. 136p. ISBN 978-1-60413-787-3; ISBN 978-1-4381-3532-8. LC 2010012036. FRANK, Andrew K. The Seminole. 128p. ISBN 978-1-60413-790-3; ISBN 978-1-4381-3534-2. LC 2010017295. JOHANSEN, Bruce E. The Iroquois. 128p. ISBN 978-1-60413-794-1; ISBN 978-1-4381-3467-3. LC 2010011810. LACEY, T. Jensen. The Comanche. 136p. ISBN 978-1-60413-789-7; ISBN 978-1-4381-3531-1. LC 2010016113. ea vol: (The History and Culture of Native Americans Series). illus. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Chelsea House. 2010. PLB $35; ebook $35. Gr 8 Up—These in-depth titles objectively cover tribal origins, traditional cultural and tribal organization, contact and conflict with white Europeans and Americans, response to removal and forced assimilation, and in many cases, revitalization during the late 20th- and early-21st centuries. Sidebars and illustrations supplement the text. Solid choices. BURGAN, Michael. North over South: Final Victory in the Civil War. map. ISBN 978-0-7565-4369-3. LC 2010001018. FITZGERALD, Stephanie. Reconstruction: Rebuilding America After the Civil War. map. ISBN 978-0-7565-4370-9. LC 2010001019. NARDO, Don. Bull Run to Gettysburg: Early Battles of the Civil War. maps. ISBN 978-0-7565-4368-6. LC 2010001017. ————. A Nation Divided: The Long Road to the Civil War. map. ISBN 978-0-7565-4367-9. LC 2010001016. ea vol: 64p. (The Civil War Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Compass Point. 2010. PLB $33.32. Gr 5-8—These objective and readable books discuss the causes, battles, and politics of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Authors incorporate primary-source materials into the texts, and a limited number of sidebars add additional information or longer primary-source excerpts. Layouts are clean and attractive, with a large font and reproductions of period illustrations and photos. The bibliographies include books and websites, and the further-reading lists point readers toward vetted websites through FactHound. Coverage is not comprehensive, but this series will help students understand the era's most important issues and events. A quality choice for reports. CATEL, Patrick. Battles of the Revolutionary War. maps. ISBN 978-1-4329-3896-3. LC 2009050071. ————. The Home Front of the Revolutionary War. maps. ISBN 978-1-4329-3895-6. LC 2009051089. ————. Key People of the Revolutionary War. ISBN 978-1-4329-3897-0. LC 2009050074. ————. Soldiers of the Revolutionary War. maps. photos. ISBN 978-1-4329-3898-7. LC 2009050075. ea vol: 48p. (Why We Fought: The Revolutionary War Series). reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Heinemann. 2010. PLB $32. Gr 4-8—Featuring the publisher's "InfoSearch" format, which begins each chapter with a question, these titles will help students understand the causes, battles, people, and results of the American Revolution. Questions are answered in four- to six-page chapters, and the books are arranged logically, either thematically or in chronological order, and include information about women, Native Americans, and African Americans. The frequent sidebars, quotes, reproductions of period art, and informative maps blend well with the texts, and there is good narrative flow. Both readable and suitable for reports, this series will supplement history collections. CHASTAIN, Zachary. Cornmeal and Cider: Food and Drink in the 1800s. maps. ISBN 978-1-4222-1777-1; ISBN 978-1-4222-1850-1; ISBN 978-1-4222-9693-6. LC 2010015262. ————. From the Parlor to the Altar: Romance and Marriage in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1779-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-1852-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-9691-2. LC 2010029720. ————. Home Sweet Home: Around the House in the 1800s. diag. ISBN 978-1-4222-1781-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-1854-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-9689-9. LC 2010019182. ————. Passing the Time: Entertainment in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1785-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-1858-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-9685-1. LC 2010022264. ————. Rooting for the Home Team: Sports in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1786-3; ISBN 978-1-4222-1859-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-9684-4. LC 2010028158. ————. Scandals and Glory: Politics in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1787-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-1860-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-9683-7. LC 2010011421. ————. The Sweat of Their Brow: Occupations in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1788-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-1861-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-9682-0. LC 2010016869. MCINTOSH, Kenneth. Buggies, Bicycles, and Iron Horses: Transportation in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1776-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-1849-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-9694-3. LC 2010015443. ————. Outlaws and Lawmen: Crime and Punishment in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1784-9; ISBN 978-1-4222-1857-0; ISBN 978-1-4222-9686-8. LC 2010017918. ————. Reviving the Spirit, Reforming Society: Religion in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1783-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-1856-3; ISBN 978-1-4222-9687-5. LC 2010012746. ————. Saloons, Shootouts, and Spurs: The Wild West in the 1800s. map. ISBN 978-1-4222-1789-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-1862-4; ISBN 978-1-4222-9681-3. LC 2010022518. STRANGE, Matthew. America at War: Military Conflicts, Home and Abroad, and Daily Life in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1778-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-1851-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-9692-9. LC 2010021815. ————. Bleeding, Blistering, and Purging: Health & Medicine in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1775-7; ISBN 978-1-4222-1848-8; ISBN 978-1-4222-9695-0. LC 2010025295. ————. Guardians of the Home: Women's Lives in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1780-1; ISBN 978-1-4222-1853-2; ISBN 978-1-4222-9690-5. LC 2010024701. ————. Jump Ropes, Jacks, and Endless Chores: Children's Lives in the 1800s. ISBN 978-1-4222-1782-5; ISBN 978-1-4222-1855-6; ISBN 978-1-4222-9688-2. LC 2010024703. ea vol: 64p. (Daily Life in America in the 1800s Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Mason Crest. 2010. PLB $22.95; pap. $9.95; ebook $22.95. Gr 6-8—Thematic chapters, arranged in general chronological order, cover aspects of each book's topic, explain its importance in the 19th century, and trace how it changed or progressed over that time. Many well-captioned period illustrations, quotes, and lengthy excerpts from primary sources provide additional information, but also break up the text and limit the amount of background information that can be included. Despite that weakness, students will enjoy reading about the lives, occupations, and pastimes of "everyday" people, and will also find these books helpful for reports. DONOVAN, Sandy. The African American Experience. notes. ISBN 978-0-7613-4084-3; ISBN 978-0-7613-6357-6. LC 2009045924. ————. The Hispanic American Experience. ISBN 978-0-7613-4085-0; ISBN 978-0-7613-6360-6. LC 2009045924. ————. The Middle Eastern American Experience. ISBN 978-0-7613-4087-4; ISBN 978-0-7613-6361-3. LC 2009045922. SIRVATIS, Karen. The Asian Pacific American Experience. notes. ISBN 978-0-7613-4089-8; ISBN 978-0-7613-6358-3. LC 2009045925. ————. The European American Experience. ISBN 978-0-7613-4088-1; ISBN 978-0-7613-6359-0. LC 2009045923. SONNEBORN, Liz. The American Indian Experience. notes. ISBN 978-0-7613-4086-7; ISBN 978-0-7613-6362-0. LC 2009007717. ea vol: 80p. (USA Today Cultural Mosaic Series). charts. photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. 21st Century Bks. 2010. PLB $33.26; ebook $24.95. Gr 6-8—These well-written and informative titles highlight the cultural contributions of America's largest ethnic groups. Each book opens with a background chapter about the group and its migration to the United States, followed by chapters about its language, contributions to literature, performing arts and sports, religious traditions, ethnic celebrations, and foods (simple recipes are included). Large color photographs, sidebars, and reprints of USA Today articles about controversial topics or trends augment the narratives. This series will help students understand how various groups contribute to modern America's cultural mosaic. GOLD, Susan Dudley. Americans with Disabilities Act. ISBN 978-1-60870-039-4; ISBN 978-1-60870-340-1. LC 2009031195. ————. The Civil Rights Act of 1964. ISBN 978-1-60870-040-0; ISBN 978-1-60870-341-8. LC 2009032227. ————. Missouri Compromise. maps. ISBN 978-1-60870-041-7; ISBN 978-1-60870-342-5. LC 2009032231. STEFOFF, Rebecca. Patriot Act. ISBN 978-1-60870-042-4; ISBN 978-1-60870-343-2. LC 2009032232. WORTH, Richard. Social Security Act. ISBN 978-1-60870-043-1; ISBN 978-1-60870-344-9. LC 2009032233. ea vol: 143p. (Landmark Legislation Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark. 2010. PLB $39.93; ebook $39.93. Gr 6-10—These detailed examinations explain why each law was needed, describe how it was enacted, and analyze its legal and social legacies. Authors are objective and discuss the arguments made by the law's supporters and opponents, but they devote too much time to the "tick-tock" of the legislative process, except in Social Security, which details how various parts of the program work. The surfeit of detail makes for dryness and will discourage deep reading. All of the titles include average-quality photos and illustrations, sidebars, and extensive bibliographies. Additional purchases based upon the need for report materials. O'NEILL, Robert, ed. & Stephen D. Engle. The Civil War: Bull Run and Other Eastern Battles—1861-May 1863. ISBN 978-1-4488-0387-3. LC 2010006103. ————. The Civil War: Gettysburg and Other Eastern Battles—1863-1865. ISBN 978-1-4488-0388-0. LC 2010004633. ————. The Civil War: Sherman's Capture of Atlanta and Other Western Battles—1863-1865. ISBN 978-1-4488-0389-7. LC 2010004631. ————.The Civil War: The Siege of Vicksburg and Other Western Battles—1861-July 1863. ISBN 978-1-4488-0390-3. LC 2010004632. ea vol: 96p. (The Civil War: Essential Histories Series). illus. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen. 2010. PLB $31.95. Gr 10 Up—These outstanding British imports offer clear, understandable coverage. Although primarily focused on military history, the books also discuss the relative strengths of the Union and Confederacy sides and the war's causes and economic and political consequences. Average-quality black-and-white photos and superior full-color campaign and battle maps are pluses, and this edition's new end matter provides American bibliographic references. The authors maintain a detachment that allows a highly objective analysis of leadership and actions. Valuable for reports and readable enough to recommend to Civil War buffs, this set deserves a place in all secondary libraries. The Bottom Line

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There are numerous extant series on the Civil War, but the high-quality writing that distinguishes Rosen's "The Civil War: Essential Histories" and Compass Point's "The Civil War" makes them strong buys for their respective age groups. There are also many titles available about Colonial times, but Marshall Cavendish's "Colonial People" and Heinemann's "Why We Fought" are good choices for emerging readers. Lerner's "Six Questions of American History" will work well for reports and for general reading. Students will enjoy learning about the many changes and developments that helped create modern society in Mason Crest's "Daily Life in America in the 1800s." Although aimed at different grade levels, Weigl's "American Indian Art and Culture" and Chelsea House's "The History and Culture of Native Americans" will help students understand Native Americans' struggles and appreciate the peoples' perseverance in keeping their cultures alive. Finally, 21st Century Books's "USA Today Cultural Mosaic" series will help students understand ethnic groups' importance to our culture. In contrast, Marshall Cavendish's "Landmark Legislation" provides reliable report information, but won't hold students' attention, and the information available in Nomad's "Colonial Quest" is available in more attractive presentations elsewhere.