Brandon Marie Miller

Brandon Marie Miller gives an informative view on "What Americans Wore 1620-1970." Rather than merely presenting the dry, historical facts, Miller discusses fashion as social construct, delving into the political and social reasoning and connections behind many fashion trends. Miller expertly teaches a history of American fashion and America itself while maintaining a very human perspective on the subject without becoming frivolous. The book is a bit more wordy than expected, but still digestible, and the pictures are great. Overall, it gave me a feeling of accuracy, believability, and accessibility.… (mer)

Unlike many biographies designed for children that seem to focus on just one part of someone's life, George Washington for Kids presents a thorough account of the first president's entire life. The book mixes information about Washington's many accomplishments in life, mixed with interesting facts about his life (who knew that Washington returned a British general's dog after a battle?). What truly makes the book enjoyable are the different activities interspersed throughout the pages, like designing a recruitment post, rolling beeswax candles, or how to play a game of whist. The book would be a great addition to the library of any history lover.… (mer)