School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-This examination of America during Reconstruction covers Lincoln's Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the troubles of freed slaves, the expansion of the nation and the plight of Native Americans, the 15th Amendment, and the women's suffrage movement. While this is well-documented nonfiction, Bolden writes in the voice of a storyteller. The excellent graphics include archival photos, political cartoons, and primary resources. Lengthy captions explain each image and why it is included. Each chapter title is a quote, which personalizes the narrative but may confound report writers looking for specific information. For example, one chapter is titled, "Why Is This, Ma?" which refers to a question put to a black Memphis schoolteacher by one of her children over their poor treatment at a train depot; the chapter largely deals with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1875. Overall, this is a well-written and visually appealing title, but it's better for general-interest reading than for research.-Marianne Fitzgerald, Severna Park High School, MD Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Horn Book

Bolden covers a lot of territory--"black codes," impeachment, political maneuverings, states' autonomy, suffrage for freed slaves and women--in detailed, informative text enhanced by occasional humor and colloquialisms. The book is profusely illustrated with captioned black-and-white illustrations and includes an abundance of quotes and excerpts from legal documents, letters, speeches, and other primary sources. Bib., ind.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Reconstruction, the volatile period in United States history following the Civil War and death of Abraham Lincoln, comes to life in this well-researched book. Using eyewitness accounts, newspaper reports, and other sources, Bolden describes the contentious relationship between Congress and the President, the controversy over states' rights, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and the expansion of the United States into new territories, while entrepreneurs were leading the country into the Industrial Revolution. Bolden uses illustrations to relate information on the important personalities of the time and to give readers a picture of how the press covered significant events. Unlike most of her previous work that has focused on the African American experience, this book not only focuses on the dilemmas facing newly freed slaves in the South but also other disenfranchised citizens, such as women, poor whites, and Native Americans, making it a good starting point for those wanting to trace the beginnings of the civil rights movement and women's suffrage. The depth of detail that Bolden provides on the harsh treatment of these minority groups is what distinguishes this book from others that cover this period of history, although Collier's Reconstruction and the Rise of Jim Crow (Benchmark Books, 2000) is a more readable history. Joy Hakim's Reconstruction and Reform (Oxford University Press, 1994/VOYA April 1994) is a better-organized and more comprehensive history of the same time period.-Chris Carlson.

ALA Booklist (Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2005)

Tackling the complex era of Reconstruction, Bolden presents a great deal of information about the history, politics, and society of the period. Constitutional amendments and social reform during Reconstruction brought legal rights and education to former slaves in the South, but the backlash against these changes led to unrest, violence, and, ultimately, a dark period of further oppression. Writing from an African American's perspective, Bolden handles the material in an evenhanded manner and backs up her assertions with facts, often quoting from primary and secondary sources. The many illustrations include reproductions of period photographs and prints accompanied by extensive, informative captions. A bibliography and source notes are appended. The occasional instance of imprecise or awkward phasing, such as a bevy of legislation, the litany of Reconstruction-era massacres, and America's grandest celebration of herself the world had ever seen, detracts from the otherwise scholarly yet accessible tone of the text. A well-organized and well-reasoned account of Reconstruction, this book will serve as a rich resource for students researching the period, which has long been underrepresented in nonfiction for young people.

Kirkus Reviews

The post-Civil War period known as Reconstruction was a revolutionary time of enormous possibility, but it ultimately was an "unfinished revolution" in racial democracy, leaving it to future generations to hash out what democracy really meant. Bolden's excellent prologue neatly frames the crux of Reconstruction: "Were freed people due anything more than freedom?" In an informative and attractive volume chock full of reproductions of period photographs, engravings and other archival materials, the story of Reconstruction is fully related. Though the writing is awkward at times, and captions sometimes take over the pages, the information is solid, and an epilogue discusses the shortcomings of Reconstruction and the issues that remain. A solid bibliography and lengthy source notes are provided, but no guide to sources for young readers. Despite the shortcomings, still the best resource to date for young readers. (maps, illustration credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)