Journey Around Boston From A to Z (Journeys) [Hardcover]

Martha Day Zschock (Author), Heather Zschock (Designer)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Journeys

This vivid, enchanting alphabet book for all ages is packed with fascinating information about historic sites in Boston, Cambridge, and environs. Colorful, detailed watercolor paintings from author and illustrator Martha Day Zschock enliven the pages, which include: Brahmins on Beacon Hill, Fans at Fenway, and Tea Taxes! Says the Fitchburg Sentinel, "Her art and poetic, easy-to-follow text will warmly draw readers of all ages into the arms of the City Upon the Hill."

Editorial Reviews

Review

#4 Non-Fiction -- Boston Globe, August 4, 2001

From the Publisher

Martha Zschock is not only an accomplished artist. She is also a grade-school teacher who developed her first book from field trips with her students. She knows what turns on kids - and adults - about a great city like Boston.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Commonwealth Editions; 1 edition (May 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889833193
• ISBN-13: 978-1889833194
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 11.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Travel

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fun guide for middle school visitors or residents, September 16, 2002

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Journey Around Boston From A to Z (Journeys) (Hardcover)

It seems a bit strange to use an alphabet book format for middle schoolers, but the idea is well-executed in this nicely illustrated guide to Boston. The book begins with an undetailed map of the Boston vicinity, continues with a paragraph of introduction, and then moves on to the alphabet. Each letter gets a full page and has an alliterative title with a few explanatory sentences and some related factoids. For example, "M" is entitled "Minutemen made ready at a moment's notice"; text describes the events in Lexington and Concord on April 18, 1775; watercolor pictures show the Minuteman statue in Lexington and the Old North Bridge in Concord; factoids tell us that British soldiers were called "regulars" and that the midnight riders (Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott) called out "The regulars are out! The regulars are out!" as they rode through the night. End pages depict an alphabet of objects other than those seen in the book, such as Magnolia for "M".

With nice art and layout, this book imparts quite a few interesting facts about Boston, though one thinks it might have benefitted from an overarching coherence with which to motivate the more sophisticated young readers at which it is purportedly aimed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take A Trip to Historic Boston, May 9, 2004

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Journey Around Boston From A to Z (Journeys) (Hardcover)

JOURNEY AROUND BOSTON is another title in the series created by author, artist and one time teacher Martha Zschock. Zschock was a third grade teacher at the time she wrote the book. As a teacher she has the respects both the natural curiosity and intelligence of children. A mallard, a duck often associated with the city thanks to Robert McCloskey's immortal MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, leads visitors on a tour of Boston and the vicinity. Her book includes the familiar tourist attractions as well as lesser known and perhaps even ignored places in Boston. It serves as a wonderful introduction to Boston and its illustrious history.

This book is a must for any family with young visitors coming to the city of Boston. It will also be of interest to the children of Boston who wish to learn a bit about the city and its history.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boston, Cradle of American History, September 29, 2007

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Journey Around Boston From A to Z (Journeys) (Hardcover)

I love Boston. I really do. This beautiful, progressive city known for being an academic, cultural and historical mecca is brilliantly presented in this delightful book.

This book will take readers alphabetically through the city that has long established itself as the Cradle of Amerian History. The alphabet format is good and effective as readers will more easily remember the sites in and around Boston. The map of the Boston area is also a good idea and an excellent added touch.

Using alliterative sentences is another good mnemonic device; readers will readily make associations with the places they are reading about in this delightful book about Boston. Readers also get text with chronicled detailed history about the places and historical events that took place in the Boston area. The lovely illustrations and rich history will delight readers of all ages. I highly recommend this one.