Stories of the American West are full of pioneers, outlaws, and sheriffs, whose daring escapades rival the most thrilling fiction. Titles in the Wild West series debunk many of these infamous tales, revealing the real historical figures who inspired well-known westerns. Famous Lawmen includes such familiar names as Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Wild Bill Hickok and makes a convincing case that the men tasked with upholding the law were often not much better than the criminals they were hired to capture. Photos and reproductions of period art nicely break up the text, and inset boxes both offer writing prompts encouraging critical thinking and provide more targeted information for extra context. With accessible text and a thoughtful approach, this series not only introduces the history of the American West but it also encourages students to learn a valuable analytical skill: reading between the lines.

MURRAY, Laura K. The Oregon Trail . ISBN 9781680782585 ; ISBN 9781680779448 . REA, Amy C. The Pony Express . ISBN 9781680782592 ; ISBN 9781680779455 . REA, Amy C. The Trail of Tears . ISBN 9781680782608 ; ISBN 9781680779462 . ROWELL, Rebecca . The Louisiana Purchase . ISBN 9781680782561 ; ISBN 9781680779424 . YASUDA, Anita . Notorious Outlaws . ISBN 9781680782578 ; ISBN 9781680779431 . YASUDA, Anita . Women of the American West . ISBN 9781680782622 ; ISBN 9781680779486 . ZUCHORA-WALSKE, Christine . The Transcontinental Railroad . ISBN 9781680782615 ; ISBN 9781680779479 . ea vol: 48p. (The Wild West). diag. futher reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. websites. ABDO . Aug. 2016. lib. ed. $22.95. ebk. $37.95. Gr 2-4 The American West has a history that has grown to mythic proportions. This series brings the time period into perspective without losing any of its vitality or wonder. The syntax is spot-on for the audience and the content is abundant in facts, figures, and compelling details. In Outlaws , for instance, the Manifest Destiny and its implantations are succinctly and accurately described this way: "Still the promise of a better life drew Americans westward. It did not matter to them that [Native Americans] already lived there. Americans believed it was their right to expand the nation&30;For native people, however, Manifest Destiny meant the loss of their traditional lands and their culture." Occasional sections "Straight to the Source," "Perspectives," and "Stop and Think" place primary source excerpts in context, describe an alternative viewpoint, and provide writing and critical thinking prompts. The inclusion of titles about the Trail of Tears and the Transcontinental Railroad widen the scope of what is typically considered to be Wild West fare, but effectively demonstrate that there was more to the Wild West than herding cattle and shoot-outs.