Pennsylvania

Children's Literature

Each entry in the "Hello USA" series is similar in format with four narrative sections covering the land, history, people and economy, and the environment. A fifth "All About..." section includes fun and other facts, state song, a recipe (soft pretzels), historical timeline, outstanding citizens with pictures and short bios (authors Lloyd Alexander lives there and Louisa May Alcott was born there), places to visit, annual events, state wildlife, and an annotated bibliography of well-chosen nonfiction and fiction choices. The environmental section focuses primarily on cleaning up the acid rain caused by coal-burning power plants and cleaning up the resulting environmental damage. A political map showing the principal cities and national forests faces a physical map of geological regions, elevation, and other features. A later map indicates principal products, but it would benefit from being superimposed on a political map so readers see the connections. Separate short sections include ones about monitoring acid rain, Benjamin Franklin's firsts, and the Johnstown Flood. Illustrations are well chosen from modern, historical, archival and artistic sources and reflect the diverse population. All in all, this is a useful, specific, varied and well-organized introduction to the state and one that will assist report writers, would-be tourists, or the merely curious equally well. Endmatter includes web sites, a glossary and proper names pronunciation guide, and an index. 2002, Lerner Publications, $25.26 and $6.95. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Susan Hepler

School Library Journal

Gr 3-8-Both of these series entries begin with a two-page chapter of interesting facts about their respective states, followed by lengthier chapters on their geography, history, people, and environmental concerns. Special sections, e.g., ``Totems'' and ``The Thrill of the Iditarod'' in Alaska, and ``Water, Water Everywhere'' and ``Keeping an Eye on Acid Rain'' in Pennsylvania, are sprinkled throughout the texts. Brief information on famous historical and contemporary residents, facts-at-a-glance, a pronunciation guide, glossary, and an index fill the last 10 pages of each book. A great deal of information is included, but nothing is explained in depth. The easy-to-read texts, which read like stories filled with interwoven facts, will appeal to students, especially to reluctant readers. Unfortunately, the U.S. map that begins each volume positions Alaska and Hawaii below the contiguous 48 states rather than in their true locations. These titles are more visually appealing than the ``In Words and Pictures'' series (Childrens) or the ``Portrait of America Library'' series (Raintree). Well-captioned, full-color and black-and-white photographs in various sizes and configurations, as well as maps, drawings, and charts, appear on every page. The books provide a wealth of ideas to explore in other more sophisticated resources such as the ``From Sea to Shining Sea'' series (Childrens).-Roz Goodman, Bering Strait School District Media Center, Unalakleet, AK