Gr. 4-7. Titles in the Documents That Shaped the Nation series use watershed documents to introduce history. Written in spare, straightforward language, the books introduce the cultural and political factors that lead to the creation of each document, admirably distilling pertinent events into simple language that still manages to explain the complex issues and connections. Emancipation, for example, is careful to emphasize that the document was only the beginning of the end of slavery. mayflower clearly lays out the complicated religious reasons why the first colonists fled England. Both books conclude shortly after the documents were written, although they do mention where the documents now reside. A wide mix of archival etchings, portraits, maps, and other images illustrate the texts, and a time line, a glossary, and a list of suggested readings are appended to each book. Clearly written and organized, these streamlined volumes are fine choices for research and curriculum support as well as for older students reading below grade level. Gillian Engberg
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