Illinois (From Sea to Shining Sea, Second) [Library Binding]

Barbara A. Somervill (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: From Sea to Shining Sea, Second

Describes the geography, plants and animals, history, economy, language, culture and people of the state of Illinois

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Reviewed with Alexandra Hanson-Harding's Texas.

Gr. 4-6. From Sea to Shining Sea, which replaced the series In Words and Pictures (both by Dennis Fradin), is now available in an enlarged, revised version, with a spiffy new format and text by several authors. It is being marketed to grades 3-5 (you'll note that we have graded it slightly higher), featuring considerably longer texts, which aren't necessarily of the same reading level. There are more short sidebars, introducing information on such topics as "Texas Firsts." Each book covers geography, history, government, and the people, and provides a minitour of the state. The graphics are strong; there are many color photographs, maps, and illustrations. A representative recipe, an almanac of state facts, a glossary, and a miscellany of famous people from the state are appended. The "For More Information" page is too specific to be very helpful; the only books mentioned in Illinois, for example, are a biography of Abe Lincoln, a book of Carl Sandburg's poems, and a biography of Jane Addams. The writing never sparkles, but the series is attractive and covers the questions children need answered for reports. Susan Dove Lempke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Barbara A Somervill is the author of several nonfiction books for children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 80 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press(CT) (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516223208
• ISBN-13: 978-0516223209
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,648,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking a tour of Illinois, the Prairie State, March 19, 2006

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Illinois (From Sea to Shining Sea, Second) (Library Binding)

I fully admit that when I think of Illinois I think of Abraham Lincoln's home and tomb, Chicago deep-dish pizza, da Bears, and the Wrigley Building. However, I do not think of Metropolis, the hometown of Superman (partly Smallville is Superman's hometown and everybody knows that is in Kansas, but also because I have always assumed Metropolis was a cover for New York City and not for Chicago). By the end of this book in the From Sea to Shining Sea series I still will not associate Superman with the city of Metropolis on the southern border of Illinois, but I can still recommend this book by Barbara A. Somervill as an informative look at the Prairie State.

The second chapter covers the geography of The Land of Illinois, known as the "middle" state because it is in the middle of the country and in the middle in size (ranking 24th in size, which is close enough since Lebanon, Kansas is the official geographical center of the 48 continental states. Somervill details the three geographical regions: the Central Plains, the Shawnee Hills, and the Gulf Coastal Plains (the first covers 90% of the state, but I always find the geographical divisions to be interesting). The chapter also covers the Rivers and Lakes, Plants and Animals, and Climate. The history of Illinois is the subject of the third chapter, which begins with the Paleo-Indians and European explorers, then has the British take over from the French, before it became a state. There is a section on the Mormons in Illinois before moving on to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, and then the Chicago Fire. The 20th century is basically divided into the period before and after World War II up to 2001 and the beginning of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

The next chapter looks at the government of Illinois, touching on the three branches of state government. Then Somervill takes her young readers on a tour of Springfield, the state capital. The map of downtown Springfield shows the relative location of the Old State Capitol, Lincoln's Law Office, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and the Lincoln Depot Museum (you have to get off the map to find Lincoln's Tomb, but of course it is a "must see" when you visit). The final chapter is about the people who live and work in Illinois and the places you can visit in the state. The recipe is for Pumpkin Custard, and just because I cannot stomach the idea does not mean others would not find it tasty). Somervill gives great advice that if you tour Illinois then plan two separate trips: one to Chicago and one of the rest of the state. So one section is devoted to Chicago and the other to "Illinois From Top to Toe," which is how we end up in Metropolis.

Turn to a new page and as likely as not you will find one or more informative sidebars. The Extra! Extra! blocks have interesting facts, such as the town of Lincoln being named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president (he was the lawyer that drew up the court papers on the settlement). Others are devoted to Who's Who in Illinois, mentioning the likes of Carl Sandburg and Black Hawk. The What's in a Name? sidebar explains that the state's name comes from a French version of "illiniwek," meaning "strong men," while the Famous First lists things like the first skyscraper. There are contemporary photographs and historical illustrations throughout the book to whet your appetite for visiting the Land of Lincoln.

If a young student needs even more information about Illinois, then turn first to the back of the book. The Illinois Almanac provides two-pages of statistics and state symbols, while the Timeline contrasts state and U.S. history. The Gallery of Famous Illinoisans showcases ten famous people (Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan and Oprah Winfrey get their pictures on this page, but Michael Jordan does not: He gets a bigger photograph on page 57). Following the Glossary of key terms like "interpret" and "tourism," Somervill lists some web sties, books and addresses that readers can turn to For More Information. But there is so much basic information here than you should be well served doing research for a class report. From here we continue to work our way around Lake Michigan, heading due north for our next stop in Wisconsin on our tour From Sea to Shining Sea.