Michigan

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

Which state has a tulip festival, mastodon fossils, and borders on four of the five Great Lakes? Report-writers can find answers in this volume of the "It's My State!" series, offering an overview of Michigan's land, history, people, government, and economy. Researchers will discover that Michigan comes in two parts; its Upper Peninsula is a paradise for nature-lovers with an abundance of national parks, wildlife refuges, a National Lakeshore, and a National Forest. The Lower Peninsula contains dunes, waterfalls, and cities including Lansing, the capital, and huge, sprawling Detroit. The five-mile-long Mackinac Bridge connects the two peninsulas. Michigan's forests teem with wildlife, including the endangered gray wolf and the yellow-sided Kirtland's warbler. In the history chapter, readers learn that ancient Copper People and Mound Builders inhabited early Michigan, though by the 17th century it was being explored by French fur trappers and missionaries. Fought over by French, English, Ojibwe, and Americans, Michigan eventually joined the U.S. as a state in 1837. Michiganders, including traveler and speaker Sojourner Truth, were active with the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Later, the state became famous for rapid industrialization, especially for auto pioneers Ransom Olds and Henry Ford—today Michiganders strive to rebuild their damaged economy and devastated industrial cities by reviving this industry. Immigrants from many countries work in Michigan—for example, Arab-Americans have built a huge Islamic Center and mosque in Dearborn—while tourists enjoy sporting events, the Detroit Symphony, and an exciting winter ice-sculpture festival. Kids may try a recipe for cherry cream pie, using one of Michigan's major crops. Illustrations are color photos; sidebars offer notable details, for example, that Michigan has an official state soil, Kalkaska sand, important for growing Michigan Christmas trees. Included are a short bibliography, an index, and pages showing the official state bird, flag, seal, and song. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

Children's Literature

Imagine yourself standing on the escarpment, more than 300 feet above Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Down below you is a sparkling almond shaped lake reflecting the blue of the fall sky. To your right, the Big Carp River meanders into the forestland. Behind you glimpses of massive Lake Superior can be seen. The autumn season has painted the leaves with stunning gold, red, and yellow hues. Looking around it is easy to remember what a beautiful place Michigan can be. In this volume of the illustrated "It's My State" series, readers are introduced to Michigan, one of the most beautiful areas in the nation's Midwest. In Michigan youngsters are afforded an opportunity to learn about the state government, economy, demographics, and geography of the region. Similar to other books in this informative series, Michigan is structured in a thematic way. Throughout the text, beautiful, colored illustrations are used to highlight the journeyman-like text. In the end, Michigan hits the mark as an introductory text that will help its readers better understand the people and places that make its featured area a lovely place to visit or reside in. 2006, Marshal Cavendish, Ages 10 to 14.
—Greg M. Romaneck