South Dakota: The Mount Rushmore State

Children's Literature

South Dakota is a state that has some big stone monuments; Mount Rushmore features the faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. There is also a work in progress—a stone monument of Native American, Crazy Horse mounted on a horse. The reader will learn about the people and their backgrounds, the economy and commerce of the state, the land, the government, the culture and lifestyles, and biographies of notable people and of course the conflict that led to the Battle at Little Bighorn. The text is well-written, concise, easy to follow, and keeps the reader's attention. There are full color photos, drawings, and black and white photos and a section that included is a timeline to compare the states history with the larger view of events that occurred in the United States. Additional features include a table of contents, maps, charts, a list of books for further reading, Internet sites, and an index. The whole layout of the book helps to create the sense that the reader is visiting the state without ever leaving his/her chair as he/she is reading the exciting history and enjoying the eye-catching illustrations. It is a great addition for the classroom and school library and will assist in report writing, class projects, and/or study units. It is also an excellent choice for individuals, those who homeschool their children, and future geographers. Part of the "World Almanac Library of the States" series. 2003, World Almanac Library, Ages 10 up.
—Christy Oestreich