Reviews (1)

The events and context of the U.S.'s first overseas war
For most Americans the Spanish-American War boils down to the battleship Maine exploding in Havana harbor and Teddy Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill. In this "Cornerstones of Freedom" volume Mary Collins not only provides more details about the war, but she does an excellent job of explaining the context for the war. The first third of the book is devoted to the history of Cuba and the conditions that led to a series of revolts against Spain in the last half of the 19th-century. Collins covers how the yellow press turned the destruction of the Maine, which was probably an accident, into the spark that ignited the war. The battles of Manila Bay in the Philipines and Santiago de Cuba effectively win the war for the Americans, despite the fact the army was woefully organized or supplied.

Collins argues that "The Spanish-American War" marked the beginning of the United States's role as a world power. She also points out that the despite winning their independence from Spain, the people of Cuba were not much better off after the war. This book provides a more than adequate introduction to this topic, although there are certainly more details students will be able to find from other sources. For example, the book does not mention Hearst and Pulitizer, the editors behind the two New York newspapers arguing for the war, and you will learn the names of more Spanish admirals than you will American generals. But overall this is another excellent book in the Cornerstones of Freedom series, the first place teachers should send young readers to look for additional information on subjects that are only briefly touched upon in American history textbooks. Final Note: If your class is looking at the Spanish-American War in any detail, check out the video "The Splendid Little War," which uses archival footage and photographs from the war to tell its story. ... Read more

Book Description

Three years after the tragic sinking of the Titanic, another luxury liner went to a watery grave beneath the icy depths of the North Atlantic. The sinking of the Lusitania, torpedoed by a German U-boat in a sneak attack off the coast of Ireland, was one of the most pivotal and universally condemned acts ofWorld War I.

Diana Preston chronicles the shipboard experiences of three children who wereon that fateful voyage. Eleven-year-old Frank Hook, a third-class passenger,was moving to England with his father and older sister. Twelve-year-old Avis Dolphin, a second-class passenger, was being sent to an English boarding school with a chaperone. And five-month-old Audrey Pearl was traveling in luxurious first class with her parents, three siblings, and two nannies.

From different walks of life and varied circumstances, these three children shared a common bond-they all survived one of the most disastrous shipwrecks inhistory. Their stories, taken from firsthand accounts, personal interviews, andhistorical documents, provide a riveting look at one of the most tragic andsignificant events of World War I. ... Read more

Book Description

The Greeks and Trojans battle for the beautiful Helen of Troy. Who will win? A huge wooden horse holds the answer. These 48-page books about fascinating subjects like pirates, mummies, and volcanoes are for proficient readers who can understand a rich vocabulary and challenging sentence structure. In addition to the stunning photographs, informative sidebars, and glossary, readers will find archival photographs and paintings. Averaging 4,500 to 5,000 words in length, Level 4 books are 40 percent pictures and 40 percent text.The Dorling Kindersley Readers combine an enticing visual layout with high-interest, easy-to-read stories to captivate and delight young bookworms who are just getting started. Written by leading children's authors and compiled in consultation with literacy experts, these engaging books build reader confidence along with a lifelong appreciation for nonfiction, classic stories, and biographies. There is a DK Reader to interest every child at every level, from preschool to grade 4. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Disappointing
I have purchased quite a few DK Readers books for my kids. We love them. This one, for some reason, has failed to grab their attention. I barely made it half way through before the kids started to suggest that I read other books.

This book starts with the jealousy and conflicts among the Greek gods (which, the story goes, led to the Trojan war). About a third of the way through, one finally gets to the war outside Troy. In contrast, the real dramatic part of the Trojan war--the horse (named in the title) comes across as a rather minor point in the story. Which is a shame given that the Trojan horse most likely is more intriguing to young readers than the jealousy and power struggle among some Greek gods that the kids have not quite got a grip on.

Aside from lacking focus in this short book (and packing in way too much loose details on Greek gods), the book sounds rather dry. Perhaps all Level 4 books are like this one, but we are a bit disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description

U.S. Air Force pilot Captain Scott O'Grady was shot down in his F-16 over Bosnia while helping to keep the peace. The plane exploded, and Captain O'Grady fell 5 miles to the ground below. In exciting detail, Captain O'Grady tells how he evaded capture and how, with little water and no food, he was able to survive on his own in enemy territory. This is a thrilling look at an American hero--a hero not because the captain survived, but because of the skill, faith, and courage he displayed and the duty he fulfilled as a member of the armed forces. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Nice Short Survival Story
This book is very short and to the point but it doesn't leave anything important out. It is the true story of U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady who was shot down in Bosnia in 1995 by a surface to air missile while flying missions for the United Nations forces there. He ejected from his disintegrating aircraft and had to survive and evade capture for six days behind enemy lines before he was rescued by friendly forces.

While not the most harrowing aviation survival account I've read (BAT 21 was much more intense) it is nevertheless a good, solid example of how people can survive if they have the right training, equipment and, above all, the right attitude. O'Grady's account is told in a frank no-nonsense way and he is quick to admit his own mistakes and fears and he quickly acknowledges that the real heroes were the guys who came to get him.

Basher Five-Two
This is a story of a man called Captain Scott O' Grady. He starts off preparing to go on patrol to make sure that planes don't fly in a peace area. While patrolling, he is shot down. He then tries to live behind enemy lines until a rescue team comes. He tries to survive for days off of little food and water, while hiding from the enemy. Six days later, a rescue team comes and takes him back home.

I didn't choose this book. My mother bought me the book for me. After I started to read the book I got really interested in it. I like it because it's a true story, and also because it is full of excitement and adventure. I also liked it because it is about planes.

My favorite part was when Captain Scott was patrolling the airs with his friend Wilber. While patrolling the East, his friend was locked on by a Threat-Radar, the kinds that can give you enough information that you can launch a missile in seconds. Then patrolling that area again, he was locked on a shot down by a SAM (Surface-to-air-missiles). While falling, he ejects very early. he then activates his parachute manually, and waits for his seat to fall off on its own. While he falls he directs his chute to try and go to a forest where he can hide and wait.

¿¿¿¿~~~???? cool book!!!
This book is great, it has great details, O'Grady's strive to survive, made a great storie. He had to go through all kinds of obsticals including being hunted down by Bosnian troops. His will to survive let him get through all his obsticals. I recomend this book for people who likes adventure books. This book is almost like the movie "Behing Enemy Lines", so if you like that movie you should check this book out.

Excellent book!
"Basher Five-Two" is an excellent portrayal of survival of a lone man in territory where everyone is the enemy. It's short, but it packs a lot of detail in. It's a great, short read that you'll be sure to like.

rrrr...this is basher 5-2...rrrr...we have a great book over
I love aviation!! Taught me a lot about servival and military life. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Author Linda Grandfield has interwoven the lines of celebrated poem with fascinating information about the First World War, details, of daily life in the trenches, accounts of McCrae’s experience in his field hospital and the circumstances that led to the writing of "In Flanders Fields." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Every child should know this poem
Growing up in Canada, I and every other child knew this poem inside and out. Every Rememberence Day[Nov.11th], we recited it, wore our poppies and then walked down to the cemetery to commemorate all the soldiers who died during the different wars. We talked about it in class for a few weeks.I gave it to my children after I found the book at a Canadian bookstore the week of it's release. They in turn took it school and their teachers read it to their classes. As a education major, I will use it in my studies and then as a teacher for my class to learn about the World Wars. The art work is beautiful and the story enclosed is lovely too, if ever can be of a book about war. It's too bad this isn't used over here in the States.

The story of McCrae's "In Flanders Field"...lest we forget
"In Flanders Fields" is the most celebrate poem dealing with the subject of war written in the 20th century. The poet was John McCrae, an idealistic army doctor who wrote the "In Flanders Fields" during the terrible Second Battle of Ypres in 1915. The poem derives its simple but potent power from combining a respect for the fallen soldiers with a longing for peace. It is, in simple terms, an anti-war poem.

Author Linda Granfield breaks McCrae's 15-line poem into three parts, each line illustrated by Janet Wilson's paintings. In between Granfield provides information about World War I and details on what life was like in the trenches for the soldiers, as well as McCrae's experiences in his field hospital and the story of how the doctor came to write "In Flanders Fields." This book is also illustrated with archival posters, postcards, photographs, and other artifacts that put the poem in historic context.

McCrae's poem is short, but by giving each line its own page and illustration, Granfield and Wilson insure that the poem itself is not overwhelmed by background information. In fact, more pages in the book are devoted to the actual poem than the story behind it. The result is a book perfectly composed to provide young students with an appreciation for both the poem and the fallen soldiers it memorializes. It would certainly be nice to see this idea extended to other poems, but it might not have the same effectiveness as this nice little book.

In Flanders Field
I read this book while resting my feet at Book Expo 2000. At least three people stopped to ask me about it because they were so taken by the illustrations. This picture book for young people intersperses breathtaking illustrations for the poem "In Flanders Field" with background on World War I and the story of the writing of this poem. A deeply affecting and touching book, it will give young people a personal view of war, particularly this war. Unfortunately, many children as well as adults know nothing about World War I. This book is a fine introduction and a good war to broach a painful topic. By any standard, it is well-well written and thoughtful. ... Read more

Book Description

Using words to represent each letter of the alphabet is called the International Communications Alphabet (ICA). This alphabet is utilized by the United States military and throughout all civil aviation to clarify and strengthen communications.

Complete with the signal flags that the United States Navy has created to give each letter a color-coded shape, Chris Demarest's dynamic alphabet book honors the men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in our armed forces -- and will thoroughly engage young readers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

As entertaining as it is informative
USS Constellation: Pride Of The American Navy by Walter Dean Myers is the story of an american warship from the days of tall sails, wooden ships, and an American navy becoming increasingly active on the high seas. This majestic vessel still towers over the Baltimore harbor and flys the flag as a symbol of navy tradition. This was a ship that was used to blockade the illegal African slave trade and fought in the Civil War on the side of the Union forces. Very nicely illustrated with archival drawings and photographs, the USS Constellation: Pride Of The American Navy is as entertaining as it is informative and very highly recommended for both school and community library American History collection. ... Read more