April 1, 2016
Gr 2-4-In these concise titles, historical events are examined through the related actions and beliefs of the then-sitting president. The book uses quotes from the presidents' letters and speeches with relevant personal details about their daily lives: a premise that proves to be an effective way to add an otherwise uncommon intimacy to historical events. These insights are not limited to the presidents. In Cuban Missile Crisis, a sidebar provides a poignant glimpse into the public response in Russia with a quote from Khrushchev's son, Sergei. Primary source documents help convey the political and emotional climate of the time. VERDICT Interesting and insightful complements to American history units.
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2016
These books look at significant events by focusing on the sitting presidents' actions and motivations. The simply written texts are informative; some events are presented out of chronological order, but timelines help reorient readers. Sidebars include opposing viewpoints, primary source quotes, writing prompts, and critical-thinking questions. The open design includes archival reproductions and photos. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind.
(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)