BANTING, Erinn . Reconstruction ISBN 978-1-59036-878-7 ; ISBN 978-1-59036-879-4 . DE MEDEIROS, James . The Migration North ISBN 978-1-59036-880-0 ; ISBN 978-1-59036-881-7 . DE MEDEIROS, James . Slavery ISBN 978-1-59036-874-9 ; ISBN 978-1-59036-875-6 . HOWSE, Jennifer . Civil War map. ISBN 978-1-59036-876-3 ; ISBN 978-1-59036-877-0 . SZULHAN, Rebecca . Contemporary Achievements ISBN 978-1-59036-884-8 ; ISBN 978-1-59036-885-5 . ea vol: 48p. (African American History Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Weigl Mar. 2009. PLB $29.05; pap. $8.95. LC number unavailable. Gr 4-7 This flawed multivolume chronicle of African-American history has little to recommend it. There is overlap between slim volumes, with nearly identical paragraphs turning up in several places; for example, under the subheading, Racism as an Institution, which appears in Reconstruction and Civil War . Several of the books contain glaring typographical errors, and in one volume, text is missing. However, there are interesting highlights on important individuals from various time periods, including Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Booker T. Washington, and Frederick Douglass. Glossy pages contain a variety of full-color and black-and-white photos and reproductions, with inconsistent or occasionally misleading captions. Backmatter in each volume includes an illustrated time line, a brief quiz, and a writing activity suggestion.

The six books in this series each cover an era of American history. In Civil War, Howse creates a broad picture of the foundations leading to war, African AmericansÆ role during the war, and finally the aftermath of the war, touching upon the civil rights movement. Szulhan's Contemporary Achievements combines short biographies and quick facts about academics, entertainment, athletics, politics, and literature starting in the 1950s and continuing through Obama as a major presidential candidate (signaling that the series is already outdated). Some of the highlighted achievements include famous people as well as obscure yet important individuals. This series is fabulous for students interested in or researching history. Glossy pictures, quick facts, technology links, and sidebars of information interrupt the text, giving readers interesting and important information without overwhelming them. Topics cover one to two pages, similar to the DK approach. Although some information overlaps among the books, it is presented in a fresh approach. Each book also includes a time line and an activity for teachers, plus a quiz to test retention. Students and teachers alike will enjoy this series, which also includes titles on slavery, Reconstruction, the migration North, and the civil rights movement.ùJennifer Rummel.