Struggling for Civil Rights

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-These books examine a number of important historical conflicts from the point of view of the American people in the midst of the struggle. Each text is set up in a reader-friendly fashion, with information divided into small sections with clear headings. Many photographs, illustrations, and fact boxes appear on every page. However, a sidebar on the opening spread entitled "Find out later" might be confusing to readers who do not have the skills to read through the entire text to locate answers. The books tend to include information not readily found in most textbooks. Elementary students often struggle with the meaning and causes of the Cold War, and Burgan effectively explains its beginnings and workings. World War II personalizes the conflict by introducing readers to many actual soldiers and their stories, from cooks to bombers who carried out missions, even when gravely wounded. Civil Rights information for children is often limited to the well-known personalities of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. Fitzgerald covers many more issues, including the Freedom Riders, and introduces readers to other individuals important to this cause. Many students will find themselves reading these accessible and heavily illustrated texts for their own interest as well as for reports.-Anne L. Tormohlen, Deerfield Elementary School, Lawrence, KS Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.