Hindenburg

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Large, colorful illustrations are the major part of these two books. Drawings often accompany the photographs of artifacts, enhancing the explanations of daily life and culture in these early civilizations. A short paragraph introduces each chapter; otherwise the text serves mainly as captions. The introductions often contain facts not discussed in the body of the books, and the depth of information in them is about as thorough as that in subsequent chapters. For example, in Egypt, agriculture, irrigation, and the calendar are mentioned in the opening paragraphs, but the chapters that follow focus more on particular subjects, such as pyramid builders or death and the afterlife. The indexes list mainly proper nouns rather than subjects, thus limiting the books' usefulness for reports.-Carolyn Janssen, Children's Learning Center of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Childrens Book Watch

Gina De Angelis' The Hindenburg provides a history of the zeppelins of World War II, the great expectations revolving around the greatest airship of them all, and the changes which took place after the disaster struck. Her Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire OF 1911 (5267-2) tells of a 1911 disaster which introduced reforms and changes for workers, and the great worker's uprising which affected the business world. Virginia Aronson's Influenza Pandemic Of 1918 (5263-X) tells of the waves of flus which changed early medicine and affected social life, prompting new medical theories and changing the nature of health care in this country. Judy L. Hasday's Pearl Harbor (5271-0) tells of the attack on the U.S. which rocked the nation and fostered the entry into World War II. All provide a strong blend of historical background and focus on the event under consideration. While 'Untold History of the Civil War' provides a focus for middle school readers, many an older reader won't want to miss the specialized details of these titles. Albert A. Hofi's Underground Railroad And The Civil War (5434-9) tells of how the slave escape route provided hope for slaves and how it was tid with Civil War history and events. Victor Brooks' Secret Weapons In The Civil War (5433-0) details air, sea and land battles and the surprises which were developed in the course of the conflicts. His African Americans In The Civil War (5435-7) tells of black men who fought on both sides, charting both individuals and regiments who battled. All are important, detailing early military and social issues of Civil War times.
—Childrens Book Watch