Amazon.com (ISBN 0064462277, Paperback)

From the author of the bestselling Don't Know Much About History comes a terrific new series for kids. In Don't Know Much About the 50 States, young readers will be amazed to discover how entertaining U.S. geography and history can be. Using an engaging question-and-answer format, Kenneth C. Davis reveals the mysteries and claims to fame behind each state in the United States. What is a Tar Heel, anyway? Why do many buildings in New Mexico look different from those in other states? To build Nevada's Hoover Dam, did it really take two years of continual concrete pouring? What state is nicknamed the Flickertail State? Each state gets its own page (except Texas, California, and New York, with two apiece), with an outline of the featured state, a couple paragraphs of text, and miscellaneous sidebars and quizzes. Tucked in among the tidbits of trivia are some substantial pieces of information about each state, including its nickname, year of statehood, capital, state flower, and state bird. Goofy illustrations by Renee Andriani contribute to the lively, upbeat tone of this useful resource. It's not comprehensive, by any means, but it'll certainly spark an interest in geography.

Other titles in the series include Don't Know Much About Planet Earth, Don't Know Much About Space, and Don't Know Much About the Solar System. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter