Sojourner Truth: Equal Rights Advocate / Defensora De Los Derechos Civiles

Grade 2-6–Solid books about significant American historical figures. Each figure receives short and punchy biographical treatment, illustrated with period photographs and artwork. In the case of Paul Revere, the visuals include Revere's own work: an engraving, a letter, a silver tea set. Two of the illustrations for the Sitting Bull biography represent Native American art of the time. In most cases, the artwork is full page, facing a page of text. English text occupies the top of the page, with its Spanish equivalent at the bottom. The typeface is large and clear. In each case, the focus is on what the figures achieved as adults, although their childhoods are mentioned. The tone of each book is reportorial and nonjudgmental, yet sympathetic to the subject's life choices, even in the case of a controversial figure like George Custer. There are a few slip-ups, or instances of an author's feelings showing through. In the first category, Custer's age at his death is given as 35, which, using the dates in the book, a youngster can easily correct to 36. In the second, the main text on Sitting Bull suggests that his death was more accidental than intentional, though the appended timeline says clearly that he was murdered. Not much longer than encyclopedia articles and designed as high-interest low-level books for students, these titles are also appropriate for younger readers. Recommended for all school and public library collections.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.—Coop Renner, Fairmeadows Elementary, Duncanville, TX.