A is for America: A Patriotic Alphabet Book
Tanya Lee Stone
Illustrated by Gerald Kelley

Each letter of the alphabet represents an item, an event, a person, or a place that has some significance in the history of the United States. The rhyming quatrain for each letter includes the reason it was chosen. The cartoon-style illustrations show the children on stage in the school auditorium presenting each letter. The words are patriotically presented in red, white, and blue. Some of the items will be very familiar, such as “C is for the Constitution.” Others are more complex in both presentation and subject matter, such as “X is in eXpression,” which refers to the First Amendment right of freedom of speech, although it is not directly named. This is a problem for primary grade children. The inconsistencies only lead to confusion. Except for X, all the other letters have words that begin with the letter under discussion. While the President, the Oval office, and the Supreme Court are named, Congress is not; and neither is the Senate or the House of Representatives. In “Z is for Israel Zangwill” we find that a play about American immigrants is given the same importance as The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence. This hodgepodge is broad and attempts to bring in many aspects of government and society, but by doing so, loses its focus for the intended audience. 2011, Price Stern Stone/Penguin, Ages 5 to 8, $4.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children’s Literature).

ISBN: 9780843198775

The Case of the July 4th Jinx
Lewis B. Montgomery
Illustrated by Amy Wummer

The Case of the July 4th Jinx is the fifth and latest of the “Milo & Jazz” mysteries, a series of armchair detective stories featuring middle school-aged sleuths Milo and Jazz, assisted by their favorite detective, Dash Marlowe. Quick paced, humorous, kid friendly, The Case of the July 4th Jinx will engage and challenge young mystery solvers to flex their analytical skills. As the book crashes along to a satisfying ending through many trendy twists and turns, readers will thrill to the experience of participating in finding the solution to the jinx. As with previous “Milo and Jazz” mysteries, The Case of the July 4th Jinx contains 5 or more pages of super sleuthing puzzles at the conclusion of the book. The Case of the July 4th Jinx offers excellent summer reading for kids age 7 to 11, and will help enhance their critical thinking and analytical skills while giving them a pleasurable reading experience. The Chapter Book/Easy Reader Shelf, The Kane Press, Ages 7 to 11, $6.95. Reviewer: Midwest Book Review (Children’s Bookwatch: July 2010).

ISBN: 9781575653082

Colonists and Independence
Colonists and Independence

The “All About America” series includes handsome thirty-two page, nonfiction picture books packed with U.S. history during the years 1600 to 1800; this book fits that bill. The text is a series of double-page articles about topics from England’s settlement at Jamestown to the election of the first President of the United States, George Washington. Pages are filled with sidebars, photographs, paintings, and illustrations. The material is compact and condensed, so it can be read quickly. The illustrations convey a wealth of information and complement the text. For example, an illustration in the section about the “Slaves and Trade” shows slaves having a few moments of fun, while below that painting a poster announces the sale of slaves. In a section called “Busy in Boston,” a color illustration shows a floor plan of a city house filled with people involved in everyday activities. The section describing “The Continental Army and the Revolutionary War” reveals the ordeals of soldiers fighting for America’s independence from England. Young readers will appreciate learning about history through t short text, and lively, colorful illustrations. This book is a feast for the eyes, as well as food for the mind. Backmatter includes a glossary, a timeline, a list of websites, a reading list, and an index. 2011, Kingfisher, Ages 9 to 12, $19.89. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi (Children’s Literature).

ISBN: 9780753465813

Documents of Freedom: A Look at the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the U.S. Constitution
Gwenyth Swain

In this third title of Searchlight Books’ “How Does Government Work?” series, Swain explores the documents that define the United States government. Though the series covers the full spectrum of time in the history of our government, from pre-revolution to present day, each book focuses on a certain aspect of how the government works. Here, using simple language that young children can easily understand, Swain describes the events, such as the Stamp Act, the Boston Tea Party and the Intolerable Acts that lead to the Revolutionary War and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, then the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Swain outlines the basic doctrines included in each of these fundamental documents, explaining the rights and privileges each document conveys. Including a glossary and an index, as well as a list of books and websites for further reading, this book is a good resource for a young child’s first introduction to the United States government, and it would be a great addition to any first or second-grade classroom library. 2012, Lerner Publications Company, Ages 6 to 10, $27.93. Reviewer: Veronica Bartles (Children’s Literature).

ISBN: 9780761365143

Fireworks
Dana Meachen Rau

There is more to fireworks than just their beauty. How the firework is created determines the type of display it will produce. This nonfiction book for newly independent readers is full of facts about fireworks. It begins with when and where you might see fireworks. Next, it gives a history of fireworks beginning with the Ancient Chinese inventors to European firework endeavors to 1777 when the America celebrated its first Independence Day with fireworks. It also explains when different colors were added to fireworks displays. Other chapters focus on how fireworks actually work, types of fireworks, and safety. The color photographs and captions give additional information to enhance the text. Important words are bold-faced in the text. Readers can find out the meanings through context or by using the glossary. A list of books for further reading, websites, and index are also included in the back matter. This “Surprising Science” series is a great way to introduce primary students to the features of nonfiction with an interesting and age-appropriate topic. 2011, Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, Ages 6 to 9, $20.95. Reviewer: Marcie Flinchum Atkins (Children’s Literature).

ISBN: 9780761448686

Five 4ths of July
Pat Raccio Hughes

One year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Jake Mallery and his friends are celebrating with a swimming contest in Long Island Sound and feasting on fresh oysters. Jake meets a privateer and longs to join him on his boat, but his father has other plans. Fifteen-year-old Jake is to join the militia. He opposes his father’s idea. Each chapter takes the reader to the next 4th of July and deeper into the war. On July 4, 1779, Jake and his friend Tim find themselves in the middle of a battle with the British. They are taken captive and put on the Bonhomme, a prison ship. Jake’s life is changed forever by this harsh and horrific experience. Readers will gain valuable insight into the difficult realities of the American Revolution, from changes in relationships with friends and neighbors to the actual battles. Well-crafted characters and scenes draw the reader into this story. Jake’s relationships with his friends, his family, and the indentured servant Hannah all come into play during his captivity. We see him grow from a teenage boy in 1777 into a responsible, war-weary adult in 1781. Hughes draws upon family history in the creation of this novel. Her brilliant use of a single, significant day from each of these five years provides an overview of the war while simultaneously giving the reader a personal perspective. Readers will gain a new appreciation for the sacrifices of those who fought for American independence. This is an excellent choice for those looking for novels about the American Revolution. 2011, Viking/Penguin, Ages 12 to 15, $16.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children’s Literature).

ISBN: 9780670012077

Paper Crafts for the 4th of July
Randel McGee

Librarians and teachers looking for holiday crafts may find ideas in the “Paper Craft Fun for the Holidays” series from Enslow Publishers. One of the strongest entries in this series, which often features coloring book style crafts, is this book focusing on the United States’ Independence Day. Eight crafts using common craft supplies like tissue paper, cardstock, glue, and string, reflect the red, white, and blue, summertime celebration. A two-page introduction explains the history of this national holiday, and each craft is introduced by a short explanatory paragraph. Designs for a pennant, paper fireworks, a crown modeled on the Statue of Liberty, and a paper chain of stars and stripes are some of the projects found within. Projects include skills such as tracing, cutting, gluing, and coloring, and all are illustrated with photographs showing the various steps. Each project is broken down into simple, numbered steps, and includes a list at the beginning of the materials needed. Readers will find patterns in the back of the book, all of which need to be enlarged using a copier. The patterns state the percentage they need to be enlarged, but some children may have trouble with this feature, and will probably need adult assistance. Because the patterns are not laid out on a grid, enlarging the patterns by hand–without the aid of a copier–is just about impossible. Nevertheless this is a nice addition to library craft book collections. 2012, Enslow, Ages 7 to 11, $23.93. Reviewer: Heather Christensen (Children’s Literature).

ISBN: 9781598453324

Red, White, and Boom!
Lee Wardlaw
Illustrated by Huy Voun Lee

All the classic ways Americans celebrate the birthday of our country are evoked in this lively picture book. The text is minimal and telegraphic, done as short rhyming couplets: “Flags unfurl/, batons twirl/ Bugles call/ Marchers tall.” While terms like “unfurl” or the elliptical syntax of “marchers tall” might give pause to English language learners, Lee’s collages, dominated by tones of red, white and blue dominate each page and make the meaning clear. In fact, there is a good one-to-one correspondence between the text and the pictures in each spread along with all kinds of details young children will be delighted to talk through and relate to their own experiences. At the same time, every page includes a rainbow of ethnic heritages, underscoring the message that this country is everyone’s home of the brave and land of the free. 2012, Henry Holt and Company/Macmillan, Ages 4 to 7, $16.99. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children’s Literature).

ISBN: 9780805090659

Those Rebels, John and Tom
Barbara Kerley
Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

Founding fathers John Adams and Thomas Jefferson may have had many differences, but their passion for the future of America was stronger. United, they were instrumental in shaping the debate for independence from England and King George. Kerley and Fotheringham, the team behind the acclaimed picture book biographies What To Do About Alice? and The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susie), tackle the personal and professional lives of Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson through the lens of their unexpected friendship. Beginning from childhood, their differences in upbringing and personality are obvious–John was short, stout, and loud while Tom was tall, lean, and quiet. As grown men, their lives did follow similar paths even with their differences: both became lawyers and were both publicly opposed to King George, whom they called a tyrant, and both joined the Continental College as delegates (John from Massachusetts and Tom from Virginia). Kerley tells the story of these two friends who combined forces and methods to lead a struggling congress and gain the support of the colonies to declare independence from England. Fotheringham’s illustrations add so much story, detail, and energy to an already strong text. An author’s note shares details about John and Tom’s friendship and the coincidence of them both dying on July 4, 1826. An excellent addition to any collection. 2012, Scholastic Press/Scholastic, Ages 7 to 10, $17.99. Reviewer: Emily Griffin (Children’s Literature).

ISBN: 9780545222686

Updated 7/1/12

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