Gr 1-3 This easy reader is a great introduction to the story behind one of our nation's best-known songs. Beginning with a bit of biographical information on the poet lawyer, Kulling explains issues and events of the War of 1812 and British and America tension, and concludes with the battle that inspired our national anthem. The language is concise, the story is easy to follow, and the appealing illustrations are full of period details. The appendix includes a photograph of and information about the original flag from Fort McHenry housed in the Smithsonian. A good choice for budding history fans. Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

Kulling relates the events that led to Francis Scott Key's writing the national anthem. Concise, easy-to-read sentences that won't overwhelm new readers provide much information about Key's life and the events before and during the War of 1812. The inconsistently cartoony illustrations are an odd match for the straightforward historical account. An appended note offers additional details about the famous flag.

Details about the writing of our national anthem could be a lot for beginning readers to handle, but this entry in the Step into Reading series manages to include quite a bit without overwhelming or oversimplifying. Much of the text is about the War of 1812, but readers will also learn details about Francis Scott Key and what led him to write his famous work. Colorful cartoon drawings showing a good amount of the action accompany text set in an appealing large and well-spaced type. As the purpose of this is to appeal to the beginning reader rather than to be used for research, children will have to look elsewhere for the lyrics or other additional information. There is a brief afterword with tidbits about the Fort McHenry flag and an accompanying photo. Many titles exist on this subject, but few are for this level of reader; however, Lynea Bowdish's Francis Scott Key and "The Star-Spangled Banner" (2002) would be a good pairing.