From School Library Journal
Gr 3-5--Attractively blending the popular "Eyewitness" style with detailed overlays and illustrations, this title provides a broad but cursory look at the expansion into the American West throughout the 19th century. Bite-sized mini-chapters of 100 words or so focus on specific aspects of ranching, gold mining, town life, etc., making this an easy-to-use resource. However, the book's brevity can lead to confusion or misinformation. For example, in the chapter "The Indian Wars," the text moves immediately from a paragraph on reservations, focusing on Oklahoma, to the "War against the Sioux," which implies that the Sioux/Lakota were located in that state. Likewise, in its treatment of Texas's war of independence from Mexico, Texas is referred to initially as "Spanish Texas," apparently for linguistic reasons, since the subsequent sentences make it clear the American immigrants were objecting to the Mexican government. Generally, however, the information is sound, and the blending of new illustrations with period photographs and paintings is appealing and informative. Due attention is given to the viewpoints of Native Americans whose land was being overrun, as well as to the hopes of the immigrants swarming to the U.S., and of the homesteaders flocking to fill up the "empty" land. Wood also notes the gap between the reality of frontier life and the romance of most popularizations of the period. While not an essential purchase, this title is certainly a respectable addition.
Coop Renner, Coldwell Elementary-Intermediate School, El Paso, TX
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