Colonial America

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Two serviceable series titles. Steins presents a condensed history of the colonies from 1607 to 1763. He begins by summarizing the general exploration of the New World and claims made by the various European countries that explored it. Succeeding chapters detail the settling of the Chesapeake, New England, Middle, and Southern colonies, along with descriptions of the nationalities, sects, religious philosophies, etc., behind their establishment. Weber picks up where Steins leaves off. He includes descriptions of the trials, tribulations, and battles in the struggle for the colonies to determine their own courses of action and, ultimately, their own destiny. Both volumes have full-color and black-and-white reproductions and photographs liberally sprinkled throughout, though the captions basically repeat the texts. Colored maps are used effectively. Numerous sidebars supply additional topical or biographical information. However, the spacing is such that readers have to decide whether to stop and read the tinted boxes or go back after completing the section in progress. Nonetheless, these titles provide detailed accounts of subjects that are always in high demand.-Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.