The American Flag (American Symbols & Their Meanings)

Grade 5-7-Two books that are easy to read and appealing enough for reluctant readers. American Flag is a history of the designs leading up to the familiar "Old Glory." Ferry includes Betsy Ross's story as a legend, thereby crediting Francis Hopkinson with the design of the Stars and Stripes. One chapter describes Francis Scott Key's inspiration for writing "The Star Spangled Banner." Illustrations are abundant, beginning with a depiction of Columbus unfurling a flag in the New World, and ending with a photo of Neil Armstrong on the Moon in 1969. The last chapter deals with use/abuse of the flag in the last two decades. In seven chapters, Saffer introduces John Sutter, describes the difficulty of travel on overland trails, and details life in mining towns (crime, work laws, ethnic prejudice). Archival photos, sidebars, and borders decorate each page; the text is simple but not dull.
Linda Beck, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA
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