After an explanation of a national holiday, including
our first one, Independence Day; six other holidays are explained with
a photo on one page and an explanation on the other. The holidays,
in order by month, are: Martin Luther King , Jr. Day; Presidents'
Day; Memorial Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; and Thanksgiving.
There is a glossary of five terms, three points in the "Did You Know?"
section, and a bibliography section called "Want to Know More?" that includes
three books, two web sites, and addresses for Plimoth Plantation and Independence
National Historical Park An index concludes the book. Because
many businesses are closed on Christmas and there is no mail delivery,
it could be considered a national holiday. However, the definition,
"On national holidays, Americans celebrate their history" excludes religious
holidays. This is an easy-to-read book about our historical holidays.
Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview
Center, Marquette, MI
32 years of experience as a school library/media
specialist
Wukovits, John F. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Illus with
photos. The Importance of Series.
San Diego: Lucent, 1999. 112p. 1-56006-483-8;
lib.bdg., $22.45 98-36197
Gr. 4-10 92
"Free at last, free at last, thank God
Almighty, I'm free at last!" Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave us
many gifts of love and wisdom to live by. This book reminds
readers of these words of wisdom. Wukovits begins by tracing the
origin of King's beliefs–growing up in a segregated south, seeing irrational
acts of violence put upon blacks, experiencing inequities in his own education,
and finally his death and subsequent legacy. Many black and
white photos are spread throughout the text with side notes that are self-explanatory.
This is a must for all teachers addressing the topics of racism and the
fight for equality.
Charlotte Oshe; Children's Assistant, Escanaba
Public Library, Escanaba, MI
4 years of experience working in
libraries