School Library Journal Review

Gr 5--8--These four volumes provide basic reference information on the U.S. states, presidents, the National Parks, and the United States government. In The States Encyclopedia, readers learn elementary facts about each state such as the capital, points of interest, date of entry into the union, and climate. The National Parks Encyclopedia provides two to four page spreads on every national park. The Presidents Encyclopedia provides overviews of each presidency, beginning with Washington and ending with Biden. The Government Encyclopedia details the origins of the American government, the United States Constitution, its articles, and voting rights. Photographs accompany the texts, but there is nothing outstanding about them. The useful facts provided make these volumes practical starting places for reports; however, much of the information provided can be found in easily accessible databases and government websites. VERDICT While the information in these volumes will support curriculums, selectors will probably consider them an unnecessary purchase, as everything contained is more inexpensively accessed online.