The Untold History of the United States: Young Readers Edition, 1945-1962, Volume 2 by Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, adapted by Eric S. Singer. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9781481421768, 2019
Format: Hardcover, 305 pages
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
What did you like about the book? This historical volume is well laid out with a detailed index, table of contents, time line of events, detailed citations, and photo credits. Although it does not cover all major events in the 1945-1962 timeline, it breaks down specific events, mainly centered on war, within this time frame clearly and with enough photos and citations that the reader can easily get information on these subjects. Engagingly written to draw in even reluctant readers, this novel is packed with information that will impress, while using historic details that may not be known to most readers. This title is easily read from cover to cover or by chapter, as the reader wishes. It is very easy to use as a research aid. I had trouble putting it down.
Anything you didn’t like about it? I could image a young reader may be overwhelmed with the suggestion that, as a planet, we are lucky that we did not annihilate all the human population multiple times over during this time in history.
To whom would you recommend this book? Readers in grades 6 and up who want to learn about this span in history or WW2 enthusiasts would enjoy this book; teachers who have units on this era in history and/or have units focusing on war.
Who should buy this book? This would be an excellent purchase for school or public libraries, especially if their U.S. history section needs updating. High School history teachers would benefit from this addition to textbooks on the era.
Where would you shelve it? Nonfiction, United States History
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? I feel that this title would definitely reside on the top of a “to read” pile.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Elena Schuck, Mattacheese Middle School Library, West Yarmouth, Massachusetts
Date of review: April 6, 2019
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