04/01/2020
Gr 4–8—Readers learn about specific people and events from U.S. history through two styles: a straight narrative and a fictionalized, reader's theater exchange. A historical summary of events and a list of characters open this series. The characters, who are based on real people, interact using fictionalized dialogue in two sections labeled Acts I and II. Repeated sidebars introduce individual and governmental shortcomings related to the highlighted subject. Critical thinking activities and recommended books, specific to each title, are in the back matter. There is no bibliography. The color and black-and-white photographs are credited but not captioned, which thwarts further learning. The fictionalized dialogue and some of the narrative sequences, while clearly written, can be choppy, sensationalistic, or misleading at times. VERDICT Each title is a dynamic presentation of historical information, suited for libraries that support drama programs.
