Patricia Nixon

Jill C. Wheeler

Patricia Nixon was First Lady of the United Stated from 1969 to 1974, supporting her husband, Richard Nixon during his political career. Although Mrs. Nixon never saw herself as political wife, she believed in helping others and supported the cause of volunteer work. Through her volunteering she was remembered for her work as a First Lady. Mrs. Nixon came from a humble beginning; her dad was a miner until the family moved to a farm in California. The whole family worked the fields, harvesting vegetables that were sold from the back of their pick-up truck. Patricia had many obstacles through her young life, but she persevered and earned her high school degree, even after the death of both of her parents. Determined to go to college, even during the Great Depression, Patricia worked a variety of jobs, one of, which took her to New York City where she graduated with honors in 1937. She returned to California where she met her future husband, Richard Nixon, who was working as a lawyer. They married in June 1940, and he joined the Navy in 1942. They moved many times during his service, where she worked with the American Red Cross. After the war was over in 1945, their first daughter was born, and Richard began his political career. Patricia worked very hard to keep their family life separate from the limelight of politics. In January 1953, Richard became Vice President under Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Patricia became very involved in official appearances. She enjoyed connecting with Americans, and traveling to other countries acting as a Goodwill Ambassador. The press considered Patricia to be cold and too formal, yet in private, she was charming and fun loving. While being First Lady, Mrs. Nixon traveled to Vietnam, during the war, making her the First Lady to enter a war zone since Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1970 she visited Peru after an earthquake that left thousands homeless and she delivered food, clothing, and medical supplies. For her efforts, she was recognized by the Peruvian government with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun. Despite a desire to stay away from a political limelight, Mrs. Nixon lived a remarkable life, and was true to her desire to help others.

Included is a Timeline, a Did You Know?, a Glossary, and an Index. I recommend this book for home libraries, public and school libraries. It is an excellent reference tool for school projects. This book is not available at the publisher’s web site.

BIBLIO: 2010, ABDO Publishing, Ages Gr 3 - 6, $25.65
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Junior Novels / Reader Series
ISBN: 978-1-60453-632-4

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 1/2510

Abigail Adams

Jill C. Wheeler

Abigail Adams was an influential part of the development of the new United States of America. She was the wife of the second U.S. President, John Adams, and mother of the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. Growing up she had the opportunity to hear opinions from many people, government and political leaders, her prominent family. Abigail listened to conversations around, and learned from her mother to be active in the community. She was not afraid to share her opinion … she voiced her beliefs, she supported the fight for independence from Great Britain, she supported education for women, she was against slavery … even though most of her opinions were not very popular. Her husband was an attorney and traveled a lot. To keep their relationship strong they wrote letters back and forth for 39 years, amounting to more than 1,000 letters. She and her husband had seven children, unfortunately two did not live very long.

This is a very informative book on a woman who was in the midst of one of the most iconic times in our nation’s history, the American Revolution, and the writing of the Declaration of the Independence. Included is a Timeline, a Did You Know?, a Glossary, and an Index. I recommend this book for home libraries, public and school libraries. It is a good reference tool for school projects. This book is not available at the publisher’s web site.

BIBLIO: 2010, ABDO Publishing, Ages Gr 3 - 6, $25.65
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Junior Novels / Reader Series
ISBN: 978-1-60453-629-4

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 1/2510

Presidents’ Day – Celebrations in My World

Lynn Peppas

Presidents’ Day – Celebrations in My World … this is an interesting book for young readers. The table of contents begins with ‘What is a President?’ and it focus’ on the election of Barack Obama. The following pages allow for two pages each to focus on such subjects as ‘What is a Federal Holiday?’, ‘Young George Washington’, ‘Young Abraham Lincoln’, ‘How Americans Celebrate’, and in the back is a Presidential Quiz. The subjects include bold words found in the Glossary, and a ‘Did You Know?’ on each subject to direct the reader’s attention. Young readers will learn how Presidents’ Day was brought into law, and its impact on the citizens. In ‘Famous Celebrations’, ‘Did You Know?’ explains Laredo, TX celebrates George Washington’s Birthday for one full month!

I do take exception with the section called ‘Presidents’ Day Symbols’. It includes the story about young George Washington chopping down his father’s cherry tree and because he was so honest, George told his dad about it. Thus, a cherry pie has become a symbol of Presidents’ Day. The truth is George did not chop that tree down, not when he was young or old. The misstatement alone reduces my final review from great to okay. Facts should be checked before they are presented as truths, especially when written for children. My other problem with this book is the back cover indicates it as a Guided Reading: M, yet the title does not appear on the publisher’s web site for Guided Reading.

BIBLIO: 2010, Crabtree Publishing Company, Ages K-2, $8.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Juvenile Literature / Series
ISBN: 978-0-7787-4774-1

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 12/11/09

Independence Day – Celebrations in My World

Molly Aloian

This book starts with a table of contents that includes fifteen different subjects ranging from a definition of Independence Day to the Declaration of Independence to the American Flag, Parades, and Fireworks. Each subject is covered on two pages, with words in bold that are found in the Glossary and a “Did You Know?” on each subject to direct the reader’s attention. A child will learn about America being ruled by Great Britain, in language easy to read and comprehend. During Early Celebrations, readers will learn the first Independence Day was held in Boston, MA in 1783. The bolded Glossary words will direct them to the resource page in the back. Readers are encouraged to take a trip with their families, especially to Mount Rushmore in S. Dakota to view the faces of the four Presidents carved into the mountain. The National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. is not only free to tour, but also holds the Declaration of Independence.

One of the things I learned in reading for this review is there is a National Independence Day Parade held in Washington D.C., which just goes to show how universal the knowledge contained within this book is. I highly recommend it for ages K-2, but whoever reads it will learn something that was probably previously forgotten. This is an educational book worth keeping at home, home school, and at public school. My only problem with this book is the back cover indicates it as a Guided Reading: M, yet the title does not appear on the publisher’s web site for Guided Reading.

BIBLIO: 2010, Crabtree Publishing Company, Ages K-2, $8.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Juvenile Literature / Series
ISBN: 978-0-7787-4772-7

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 12/11/09