From School Library Journal
Grade 2-6–Picking up after the end of the French and Indian Wars, where
Struggle for a Continent (HarperCollins, 2000) left off, the Maestros continue with the 20 years leading up to, and fighting, the American Revolution. A simple narrative, largely from the Colonists' perspective, touches on the major events, players, and ideas of the times, beginning with the Stamp Act and ending with Yorktown and the subsequent peace treaty. Much of the text is taken up with military encounters and strategies; campaigns, generals, and soldiers are kept relatively straight, often with the help of numerous clear maps (though there's no initial delineation of the 13 colonies). Full-color ink, colored-pencil, and watercolor illustrations–from small portrait ovals to full-spread scenarios–are also helpful; they grace the page in a pleasing, uncluttered way. Packing that much history into 64 pages means, of course, that some complexity, detail, and depth are lost. While some misconceptions are cleared up–Paul Revere's non-solo ride, Bunker/Breed's Hill–more explanation could sometimes relieve a bit of confusion. No sources are cited. Nonetheless, this book serves as a good introductory overview. The visual appeal, straightforward narrative, and large format make it accessible to audiences not ready for Joy Hakim's
From Colonies to Country (Oxford, 2002) or Benson Bobrick's
Fight for Freedom (S & S, 2004). Rosalyn Schanzer's
George vs. George (National Geographic, 2004) is a more engaging and explanatory social and political history of the time, but lacks the more complete military coverage found here.
–Nancy Palmer, The Little School, Bellevue, WA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Gr. 3-5. The Maestros pick up the thread after
Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars, 1689-1763 (2000) and continue their American Story series with a colorfully illustrated book that spotlights the Revolutionary War period. History provides a fine plot and cast of characters for this topic, and the Maestros make the most of them, weaving a dramatic tale of ideals and hardship, heroism and betrayal, and illustrating events with a series of detailed, dramatic, and informative pictures and a number of excellent maps. (In one case, however, the art and caption are confusing, making it seem as if Patrick Henry delivered his "Give me liberty" speech to the colonial legislature at the Virginia capitol building, rather than of the St. John's church.) The book ends with a year-by-year table of significant events; an annotated list of "Unsung Heroes of the American Revolution"; a paragraph each on blacks, women, and Native Americans during the Revolution; and a page gathering a miscellany of added facts, but no source notes or bibliography. Colorful and accessible.
Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
