This look at Minnesota for the "From Sea to Shining Sea" series provides a solid look at the Gopher State, whether you are a native or are doing research from some other part of the country. For example, apparently the name the "Gopher State" came from a 1859 cartoon. Dennis Brindell Fradin and Judith Bloom Fradin cover the geography of The Land of 10,000 Lakes, the state's history From Ancient Times Until Today, and Minnesotans and Their Work. The title spread for section offering A Trip Through the Gopher State has a photograph of downtown Duluth and the aerial lift bridge (but you cannot see where I work because a building is in the way), and the chapter looks at the Twin Cities and other main areas of the state. A Gallery of Famous Minnesotans gives Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas a full-page color portrait and covers over two-dozen famous people from Hubert Humphrey and Sinclair Lewis to Charles Schulz and Bob Dylan. The back of the book has a Did You Know? section of interesting facts, two pages of standard information about the state, a time-line, and a map. The history chapter is especially good, reflecting not only the various stages of the state's economy but its rather unique political heritage, especially since World War II. The look at famous citizens actually provides some concise biographical information, rather than just listing accomplishments. Students doing reports on Minnesota for school will certainly find all of the basic information they might be required to find from this volume. The volume is illustrated with color photographs as well as reproductions of historic illustrations and paintings.

A few months ago, I was assigned a school state project on Mississippi. I went to my local library and found this book. As I read through it, I found the book giving great facts on physical features, habitat, history, recent problems, famous people and a tour through the state. The book also gives quick facts and interesting facts. I found this book very interesting that I started reading about all 50 states! Today, half way through I write this review. I tell all today these books are very interesting if you want to learn about America or if you have a school project.

I used this book to help me with a Social Studies prodject onThe Colony of New Hampshire, and found the book very helpful. Thisbook covers all topics, including some of the government, and lots of information on the natives in this area. Fradin focuses on the natives and their culture before the English settlers came over. Even their forms of houses and how they got their food. She also gives information about when the settlers came over, and the founder of the actual colony. It tells you what the religion was like and how the church was treated and repected by colony members. This is also a good refrence on how the natives and English got along in New Hampshire, in the 1600's, what the natives helped the English with , and how the English helped the natives. It describes how the settlers grew their food, and what they grew, and others information on regular household life. All in all I found this book very helpful, and I urge others interested in Nw Hampshires founding to read it.

North Carolina From Sea to Shining Sea is a wonderful book for children. It's full of basic information about the state of North Carolina and its history. It also has many beautiful photographs and drawings and an interesting map covered with points of interest, leading crops and industry. Also included is a "gallery of famous Tarheels" (though they left out the beautiful and talented Ava Gardner) and some trivia. North Carolina From Sea to Shining Sea is a fun book for kids to learn a little about the great state of North Carolina.

This book presents a thorough but not overwhelming picture of Pennsylvania from its colonization through statehood. It reads like a history book, not a novel, but is well written and flows easily, so that my children did not get tired of hearing it before we finished. Influential people in history and their ideas are integrated into the book so that it seems to be almost a story, though it is written more in the style of a text. Unlike many 'story style' histories, the dates, places, and events are thoroughly presented in this work. The original inhabitants are covered to some extent, with the focus mostly on the Delaware tribe. The black and white illustrations are also interesting and contribute to the interest of the book. This was the first of this series we read, but we intend to read others after the good experience we had with this one!

"Washington's Birthday" is part of the "Best Holiday Books" series, which tells young students not only about the life of the George Washington but also how his birthday became a holiday, which eventually became Presidents' Day. Author Dennis Brindell Fradin presents Washington as "The Father of Our Country" and the most famous person in American History. This book covers Washington's life as a boy, his military career both before and during the American Revolution, and his final service as the first President. Fradin concludes by telling the various ways in which Washington has been honored, including making his birthday a national holiday. There are also suggestions for how students can celebrate Washington for Presidents' Day. "Washington's Birthday" is illustrated with paintings, drawings, and etchings, and also includes a survey of his half-brother's turnip field that Washington did when he was 16 years old.

This book had a lot information in it. It helped me get a good grade on my project for Ethiopa. It also had some really informational pictures in it, too.

I found that it contained good information, but I'm afraid I dozed off more than once. I understand that a lot of effort must have been put into this piece, but i'm afraid it needs a lot of work!!!