Shots Fired at Fort Sumter

School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-These titles examine the specifics of different battles of the Civil War. While Bull Run and Fort Sumter are typically covered in elementary textbooks, Fort Wagner and New Orleans are not as well known. The books begin with a brief overview of the causes of the Civil War before discussing battles, forts, and leaders. Unfortunately, the texts oversimplify the reasons for the war as mainly an argument over slavery. The issue of states' rights and the vast economic and cultural differences between the North and South are largely ignored. Readers already familiar with the Civil War might be interested in learning more about each of these battles, but these books are too simplistic and lack sufficient detail to interest them. Those unfamiliar with the war will not be able to grasp the larger picture. The photographs, illustrations, newspaper articles, and maps complement the texts nicely.-Anne L. Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary School, Lawrence, KS Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.