These overviews of key events in American history--an account of the first European colony to survive in North America, the settling of California as a result of the Gold Rush, and the turning point in the Civil War--are sometimes so brief that they are misleading. The books also discuss the aftermath of the events and are illustrated with period reproductions, photos, and maps. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Events That Shaped America titles: The Battle of Gettysburg, The Settling of St. Augustine, and The California Gold Rush.]

CREWE, Sabrina & Dale Anderson . The California Gold Rush . reprods. ISBN 0-8368-3393-7 . LC 2002030994. ea vol: 32p. (Events That Shaped America Series). maps. photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens . 2003. PLB $22.60. Gr 3-5 In the first book, the authors highlight what is known about the Anasazi people who lived in Colorado dating back to 500 B.C.E. Why and how they chose to settle the Mesa Verde is explained, and why they changed from pithouses to adobe pueblos is addressed. Color photos of the land and artifacts dot each page. The first chapter of Gold Rush discusses the history of California, followed by the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill. The author then discusses the positive and negative effects of the discovery on the state and the nation in general, on the lives of the miners, and what happened when the gold ran out. Photographs, cartoons, drawings, and reproductions in color and black and white, all with lengthy captions, are found throughout. In both books, focus boxes and quotes appear on almost every page. Activities that children probably won't do unless assigned for homework are provided in the end pages. If these titles meet your curriculum needs, they will be useful resources for reports. Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX