World War II

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-In each book, Ruggiero opens with information about the cause of the war and provides primary-source readings to explain how the U.S. became involved in it, how Americans fought and sacrificed on the war and home fronts, and how these conflicts ended and changed life in the U.S. Each primary source is introduced and placed in its historical and social context. News articles, first-person accounts, diary and journal entries, and more offer insights from combatants, civilians, writers, and poets, and provide a wide variety of viewpoints, including those of women, minorities, and dissenting voices. Each entry concludes with from one to four questions such as "How do you think the Allies reacted to Germany's use of poison gas?" or "How would you describe the tone of this memoir?" Period photos and posters (many in full color) with informative captions give readers a better understanding of the conflicts. The volumes conclude with detailed time lines and further reading lists featuring adult and YA books. These titles will not replace the many extant books published by Facts On File, Lucent, and others, all of which offer more detailed information on the causes and conduct of the World Wars. Instead, they are complementary choices to help researchers and interested readers better understand the emotions the conflicts evoked and their very substantial human costs.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.