Copyright Date:
2012
Edition Date:
2012
Release Date:
12/01/12
Illustrator:
VanArsdale, Anthony,
Pages:
127 pages
ISBN:
0-545-48435-9
ISBN 13:
978-0-545-48435-0
Dewey:
921
Dimensions:
20 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
School Library Journal
(Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2013)
NORWICH, Grace . Sacagawea . ISBN 978-0-545-40574-4 . ea vol: illus. by Anthony VanArsdale. 128p. bibliog. chron. glossary. index. maps. websites. (I Am Series). Scholastic . 2012. pap $5.99. Gr 4-6 These books open with an introduction in the voice of the subject of the biography, followed by "People You Will Meet" and a chronology. Next, several chapters outline the main events in the subjects' lives', and end with "10 Things You Should Know About" and "10 MORE Things That Are Pretty Cool to Know." In Washington , readers get broad strokes regarding the man's childhood and years at Mount Vernon, and then follow the time line into his military career. Specific moments in his career and in American history are highlighted, often in sidebars. Sacagawea follows the same format, beginning with the young woman's life with the Lemhi Shoshone and including her capture and subsequent sale by the Hidasta. Her role as interpreter for Lewis and Clark is shown as important to the success of their journey. Both books have sketchlike illustrations throughout. One drawback in these volumes is in the design. The placement of text boxes often interrupts the flow of the text and leads to some flipping back and forth to get all of the information. For example, a box outlining Washington's prowess in math but failure in spelling is placed mid-sentence, leaving readers to either abandon the sentence about his brother or flip back once it is read. The time lines are oriented horizontally, rather than vertically. The overall effect of these design choices detracts from the presentations. The "Who Was" series (Grosset &; Dunlap) may be a better first choice for school libraries. Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City
Bibliography Index/Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 122-123) and index.
Word Count:
7,956
Reading Level:
7.1
Interest Level:
3-6
Accelerated Reader:
reading level: 7.1
/ points: 1.0
/ quiz: 155679
/ grade: Lower Grades
Reading Counts!:
reading level:9.2 /
points:4.0 /
quiz:Q58990
Lexile:
NC1080L
The Continental Congress asked George to take command of the newly formed Continental Army, but George didn't know if he was up to the task. Could he really lead an army against the British? In his military track record, he had more losses than wins. George had little experience compared to the generals on the opposite side, who spent years training and then out in battles leading the most important army in the world.Others expressed great faith in him, but that did little to relieve his doubts. Still, in the end, he agreed to become leader of the new American army.Army was a loose word for the sixteen thousand soldiers under George's command. Many of them were young (some no older than fifteen!) and poor with no military training at all. They had joined for the chance to make a little money. They might not have the cream of the crop, but George was lucky to have anyone join. Throughout the Revolutionary War, there were never enough soldiers and even less food, gunpowder, and clothes to fortify them.The odds of this scrappy little army beating a world superpower seemed slim to none. The British had more men, more supplies, more money, and more confidence. The Americans, though, did have two crucial elements going for them. They were fighting on home turf and for a cause in which they believed in deeply.
Excerpted from I Am #5: George Washington by Grace Norwich
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.