Discovery and Settlement

School Library Journal

Gr 5-7-These series entries deal in a limited way with some of the issues that affected the development of the United States. The texts hopscotch through the decades, presenting different points of view. Each chapter contains one or two excerpts from a diary, letter, speech, autobiography, or historical document; all have citations. Both volumes are illustrated with clear black-and-white and full-color reproductions. In Discovery, Brown briefly discusses exploration; the Puritans; dissenting voices; and the roles of African Americans, Native Americans, and women. The Explorers and Settlers and Battles in a New Land (both Millbrook, 1991) have more information organized in a more traditional, chronological manner and a greater variety of illustrations. Struggle covers frontier living; immigration; technology, industry, and labor; and politics and reform. This is the better of the two titles because the excerpts are more readable and the illustrations are less static. Brown's books are adequate additions for larger collections or for those looking for primary-source materials.-Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR