Pennsylvania

Introduces the history, geography, people, industries, and other highlights of Pennsylvania.

Packed with fun facts about daily life, history, environmental issues, and much more, this series of 52 books (including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia) provides a thorough introduction to the richness and diversity of America.

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