School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Tightly written texts discuss where and when children went to school, how they were taught, what they studied, and more. Pioneer provides a picture of education in the Midwest while Colonial describes schooling in the New England, Atlantic, and Southern states. Both books provide an accurate, fascinating look at a child's education in our early history. The texts are enhanced by quotations from primary sources. Games, activities, special events, and crafts from the past are included. A cautionary note-some of the activities, such as making taffy or a writing slate, will require adult help; others, such as playing marbles or Math Buzz, are independent pursuits. Artfully arranged black-and-white and full-color photographs and reproductions appear throughout. All in all, these are fine renderings of life in the past for today's children.-Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
This formulaic book offers little substance, emphasizing extraneous topics over more pertinent information. While archival photographs and suggested activities (e.g., "send Morse code messages," "playing hoops") enhance the book, choppy and overgeneralized writing contributes to an unsatisfying and sometimes confusing read. A list of resources is appended. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4-6. Looking at childhood is a good way to study the history of ordinary people, and this new Going to School in History series will show students what daily life was once like for kids. Both books frame the school facts with a general overview of the time and then focus on the classroom. Pioneer Times makes the old mistake of talking about an open, "unsettled" country, with no mention of the Native Americans who were driven out of sight. But, otherwise, it is a good introduction both to pioneer life on the western frontier and to the goings-on in a one-room schoolhouse. Civil Rights is much more political. Framed by the history of segregation and the protest movement that changed it, the classroom story is a stirring close-up of the separate, unequal schools and the brave young people who fought against them. Moving sepia-tone photos appear on every page. Sidebars and special features, including craft activities and brief biographies, add both facts and fun. Other titles in the series are listed in the Series Roundup in this issue. --Hazel Rochman
