Meg Chorlian

Bright, colorful and full of fascinating facts about Ulysses S. Grant, this issue of Cobblestone is written for children at about the second to fourth grade levels and is sure to capture their attention.

Like all issues of Cobblestone magazine, the November/December 2013 issue aims to make a specific topic in American history accessible to kids. This particular issue focuses upon plantation life during the 1700s – the kinds of people who lived on plantations (the gentry class, slaves), men’s and women’s work, the types of clothing worn and food eaten in the 1700s, etc. This issue has 22 different articles in 48 pages. Brightly-colored, clear photographs abound throughout the magazine, show more showing costumed interpreters at Colonial Williamsburg demonstrating various aspects of eighteenth century plantation life. The text is not long enough to lose the reader’s interest and unfamiliar words, such as millinery, are defined throughout the magazine. Instructions for eighteenth century games to play and recipes to try are included in the magazine, thus enabling young readers to connect what they read with activities that they do. At the end of the magazine is a section of drawings and poems from readers that encourages other readers to send in their drawings and poems. This magazine is recommended for libraries because it is content-rich and informative, while also being free from advertisements. show less

An interesting, brief magazine format introduction to Quakers for older children and young teenagers, prepared under the consulting editorship of two Friends, one a prominent Quaker historian, the other with a background in museum education for the young.

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