The American Indian Experience

VOYA - Raymond E. Houser

These two books from the American Historic Places series are based on the premise that studying what happened at historic places is a great way to learn history. Each book similarly lists a number of historic places and discusses the significance of each site, with a special close-up segment of each place highlighted. There is also information on how the site is being preserved and how to contact each location. Finally, a bibliography for further reading and a listing of related places is included. In The American Indian Experience, Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado is one of the featured places. Included is the history of the ancient people who built the cliff dwellings, pictures of some of the dwellings, a special close-up of Spruce Tree House, suggestions on what to do at the park, a listing of other books about Mesa Verde and the Anasazi people, a map of the area, and a listing of related places. Other sites covered include Little Big Horn Battlefield, Alcatraz Island, and Cahokia Mounds State Historic site. Included in Science and Invention is the Wright Brothers National Memorial near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Readers get a brief discussion of the history of flight up to and including the Wright brothers, which relates their special contributions to flight and how they eventually made the first powered flight in 1903. The close-up segment is of the brothers' camp near Kill Devil Hills. A map of the area, pictures, the visitor's center, activities at the site, further reading, and related places are included. This title also looks at other sites such as the U.S. Space Rocket Center, George Washington Carver National Monument, and the Joeseph Priestley House. Each book contains many historic sites, and delving into them could be a neat way to approach history. Students will learn that hundreds of such places exist throughout the United States and that studying and visiting these places is not only a learning experience but is great fun, too. Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Biblio. Note: This review was written and published to address two titles: The American Indian Experience and Science and Invention. VOYA Codes: 3Q 3P M J S (Readable without serious defects, Will appeal with pushing, Middle School-defined as grades 6 to 8, Junior High-defined as grades 7 to 9 and Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).

School Library Journal

Gr 6 UpA travel guide for kids to 10 national or state parks that preserve archaeological or historical sites of importance to Native American history. All but two of the monuments are west of the Mississippi, and six of them feature accomplishments that predate the coming of the white man to that area. Alcatraz Island, site of a major civil rights action when it was occupied by an intertribal group from 1969 to 1971, is included. Each entry begins with an "At a Glance" box giving the park name, relevant dates, a summary of what makes it significant, and an address. A historical overview and description of the location opens each chapter, followed by "A Close Up" of an outstanding feature or event and a section on "Preserving It for the Future." Suggestions for further reading and a list of related sites conclude each entry. Nine additional places to visit around the country conclude the book. Black-and-white photos are sprinkled throughout but do not do justice to the ruins, rocks, and landscapes they depict. A unique and informative book.Lisa Mitten, University of Pittsburgh, PA