The New Americans: Colonial Times: 1620-1689 (The American Story) (utgåvan 2004)

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With excellent illustrations, The New Americans covers colonial times from 1620-1689. The text is at 3rd grade +, but the illustrations will stimulate curiosity and questions in younger children.

This book about the colonization of North America was very informative and covered a lot of information in 45 pages. The information presented mirrors what we are learning in social studies in fourth grade beginning with the French settlement of Canada and going through the exploration of the Mississippi River. I was glad the author made a point to present the side of the indigenous people. Many textbooks downplay their rights. I liked the map on pg. 6,7 which showed all the Native Groups living in North America during the time the Europeans were settling on the continent. The illustrations in the book are well down and enhance the text. There are many pictures that students would find useful like pictures of popular hats made from beaver pelts and common items used by colonists. Upper elementary students could read the book independently and it would be a good research book. The book does not have a bibliography but it does have an index and additional information. There have been many changes in the way nonfiction books are published, but I think the authors did a good job relaying the information fairly and using vocabulary students can read independently. The book did not relay information about the authors which I thought was strange. ( )