Henzel, Cynthia Kennedy . Manifest Destiny and the Journey West . ISBN 9781635178845 . Herschbach, Elizabeth . Slavery and the Missouri Compromise . ISBN 9781635178869 . Lawrence, Blythe . The Lewis and Clark Expedition . ISBN 9781635178821 . Lawrence, Blythe . The Louisiana Purchase . ISBN 9781635178838 . Rebman, Nick . The MexicanAmerican War . ISBN 9781635178852 . Uhl, Xina M. The Texas Revolution . ISBN 9781635178876 .ea vol: 32p. (Expansion of Our Nation). further reading. glossary. illus. index. maps. photos. websites. Focus Readers . Aug. 2018. lib. ed. $28.50. Gr 3-5 Each title addresses an important concept or series of events in 19th-century U.S. history and will provide adequate background, though the narrative focus is often broad and diffuse, leading to ambiguity. Writing is concise, but not unnecessarily simple. Supplemental features include "Voices of the Past" profiles of significant historical figures, such as Shoshone translator Sacagawea and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Many of the illustrations throughout the series are colored woodcuts that may fail to engage readers; however, there is some use of period portraits and illustrations, in addition to contemporary photos of replicas, as, for example, a Lewis and Clarkera keelboat. Simple maps are included where appropriate. A glossary and one page of reflection questions conclude each volume, as well as a scant index and a few book recommendations for further inquiry. No sources are cited. VERDICT A secondary purchase for larger elementary libraries.