Customer Reviews

The Great Lakes: A Literary Field Guide (Stories from Where We Live)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, full disclosure: I am the proud father of the editor of this splendid series, Sara St. Antoine. (Paul Mirocha is the excellent illustrator,not the editor.) But you do not have to rely on my obviously biased views. The series has received high marks from Kirkus, Horn Book (a very important children's literature magazine), Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and many regional journals. Among the awards that individual titles have won are: Books for the Teen Ager (New York Public Library); Best Books of the Year (Bank Street College); Kids' Pick of the List (American Booksellers' Association); and Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (Children's Books Council, National Council for Social Studies).

Sara holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Williams College and a Master's in environmental studies from the Yale School of Forestry and Natural Resources. She has combined her two loves by compiling anthologies of short stories, essays, and poetry from each of the major ecological regions of North America. "The Great Lakes" is one of this series. As suggested by the title of the series, "Stories from Where You Live," the purpose is to introduce preteens and young teenagers to the flora and fauna and natural wonders of their particular geographical area, and to do it entertainingly and painelessly. The selections are by classic American authors, old and new, and by relative unknowns with something important and engaging to say.

Adults as well as the intended audience should find much to enjoy in these thoughfully organized and beautifully packaged works.