Voices from Colonial America: New Jersey: 1609-1776 (National Geographic Voices from ColonialAmerica) [Hardcover]

Robin Doak (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: National Geographic Voices from ColonialAmerica

Eye-catching graphics and engaging narrative create a compelling picture of life in colonial New Jersey. Originally settled by the Dutch as part of their ''New Netherland,'' New Jersey did not flourish as a colony until it came under British control in 1664. Readers will learn how the promise of political and religious freedom led to its becoming the first Quaker colony in America and one of the most ethnically diverse. They'll learn how for a while it was divided into East and West Jersey and how its location between New York City and Philadelphia made it the site of nearly 100 battles during the struggle for independence that eventually led to its becoming the nation's third state. Middle-school students will encounter Colonial America through fresh eyes in this comprehensive series. Archival photographs, period maps, and lively, first-person accounts from explorers, Native Americans, missionaries, slaves and indentured servants, farmers, government officials, and more are seamlessly woven together to create a vibrant and accurate portrait of life in 18 European colonies—not just British but French and Spanish, too.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–This book gives detailed descriptions of family life and working in a Colonial village and the fight for independence. It also includes information about the Native people, early settlers, and first developments. An entire chapter is dedicated to slavery. While most of the information appears elsewhere, e.g., in Dennis Brindell Fradin's The New Jersey Colony (Children's Press, 1991), the illustrations and maps in Doak's book are far superior. Paintings, maps, woodcuts, portraits, and reproductions accompany the well-written text. A time line, a list of print and electronic resources, numerous quote sources, and illustration credits appear at the end. An excellent resource, especially for school libraries that need to boost their Colonial collections.–Christine E. Carr, Lester C. Noecker Elementary School, Roseland, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Presented in clear, succinct text, this history of New Jersey stretches from the early Dutch, Swedish, and English settlements through the Revolutionary War and the adoption of the Constitution, Doak discusses political history (for 26 years East and West New Jersey were separate colonies); religion, especially the Quaker influence; and life for both European immigrants and indigenous peoples. He also touches upon the role of indentured servants, redemptioners, and slaves, as well as New Jersey's key location between New York City and Philadelphia. Historical maps, reprints of period artwork, and first-person accounts are folded into each chapter, but they don't disturb the narrative flow. Appended with a time line, a bibliography, and source notes, this resource, containing a great deal of information, will be a welcome addition to history classes and a great source for report writers. Other titles in the Voices from Colonial America series cover the other original colonies, plus Texas, California, Florida, Louisiana, and New France. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792263855
• ISBN-13: 978-0792263852
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 0.4 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,333,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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