School Library Journal Review

Gr 4-6-The authors have done a remarkable job of discussing and describing these two enormous confrontations in a limited number of pages, emphasizing that these were not isolated battles. The books provide solid introductions, followed by three chapters, one of which is based on the personal experiences of a named soldier, and the other two covering broader historical details and strategies of the battle. Bold fonts introduce the major subtopics in each chapter. Illustrations (some effectively tinted) with helpful captions are featured on every page, and sometimes encompass spreads. Excellent maps and plenty of paintings and vintage photos enhance the texts. It is noteworthy that when a photo is not genuine, that fact is stated in the caption. For example, there are no photos of the midnight jumps of paratroopers over Normandy on D-Day; instead, a daylight photo taken over the Netherlands is used to illustrate the topic. Unfortunately, D-Day states, in the text and again in the time line, that V-E Day was May 7, 1945, whereas it was May 8 of that year. Both titles conclude with respectable further-reading lists and excellent bibliographies.-Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.