California

November 1, 2017

Gr 3-5-Readers tour each state's most notable landmarks, from state capitols to iconic statues to an assortment of kid-friendly museums, living history sites, zoos, and quirky festivals and fairs that celebrate everything from "punkin chunkin" in Delaware to UFO mania in Roswell, NM. Each book highlights the people, history, economy, and culture that makes each state unique. Throughout the series, spreads consist of three to four paragraphs, a photo of the featured place, and a drawn state map for reference. Much of the design of the series follows a road trip-themed look (street signs for chapter headings). However, the photos, often low-quality stock images, are a weakness. VERDICT This readable set will have students ready to travel; consider for browsers and/or those tasked with a short report.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2017
Grades 3-5 Based on Heinrichs' previous Welcome to the U.S.A. series, the new U.S.A. Travel Guides series offers readers up-to-date facts and an attractive vertical design. In this look at the Golden State, each topical double-page spread briefly introduces one feature (Disneyland, Intel Museum, Giant Redwoods) with a few short paragraphs and a photo on one side, facing a large state map including places mentioned in the text, road signs displaying fast facts, and a happy, biracial family touring the state on the other side. Some of the family's more interesting stops include seeing the fainting goats at Calistoga and visiting Madera's Pizza Farm. Commendably, the text acknowledges that Native Americans had their own beliefs before the establishment of missions. An appealing resource for state reports and armchair travel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
This series guides readers on a road trip through each state, unrealistically crisscrossing it to visit important locales. Maps and photographs catalog a cartoon family's visits to natural, industrial, and historical sites such as the Grand Canyon, Independence Hall, state capitals, etc. State facts (symbols, song, flag, etc.) are appended, plus a brief content quiz. There are forty-five other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

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