Allison Lassieur

Oh my gosh this book is fun. Do you remember Choose Your Own Adventure books? This is the story of the space race in the same style, letting you, the reader, choose which of three protagonists you will be (a "young scientist," a "jet-setting reporter", or "a member of Mission Control.") Your choices affect your personal storyline as it plays out against the backdrop of fact-rich history. On my first read, I, of course, elected to be a reporter, and after a few choices I was deported from show more Moscow after trying too hard to get an interview with the legendary Chief Designer. It's a highly effective method to engage the reader with history; my third-grader enjoyed reading it several times as she made different choices. There are nine other books in the series, on everything from the Harlem Renaissance to War in Afghanistan. show less

This is an addicting book. I don't remember reading "interactive" books when I was younger, but I'm beginning to wish I did. The Battle of Bull Run: An Interactive History Adventure allows readers to pick their own journey through the historic battle of Bull Run. The book claims that all of "the events you'll experience happened to real people." I started this book and decided I wanted to fight as a Union Soldier, but the choices I made in battle soon led me to be wounded in both of my legs show more and pass out in a field hospital where I and other injured soldiers were later abandoned. Of course, that kind of outcome just makes me want to go back and read another journey until I find one where I survive!

I think a similar feeling will emerge in my students and that is why I think this would be a fun text to have in my social studies classroom. Students can really get "involved" in the Battle of Bull Run, and as they read their own journey and make the best choices they can, they are learning historical facts that are included within each tale. Furthermore, this book teaches critical thinking to some degree, because the pressure to survive the battle makes your choices in the story very important. Reading level: Age 8 and up. show less

I didn't know a whole lot about Barton going in, but still, given that this is a kid's book, I didn't expect to learn much more. Well, I was wrong. I won't tell you what, though, as it's so concise I'll just recommend it instead.

I'm 57. When I was growing up, the only female heroes we knew about were Barton and Florence Nightingale. And of course many of us admired Laura Ingalls Wilder for having her tomboy adventures and then growing up to write about them. Well, now I do know that there show more was/is a lot of "herstory" missing. However, these two nurses are still tops... and boys as well as girls would do well to admire them as true heroes and role models. show less

I loved this book. I'm a homeschool teacher and this is one of those books that could be so essential to classrooms to get children educated about something that is still very real to events happening today, and is so, so important for them to learn. This book was easy to read, but still gripping. I found myself gasping out loud a few times as I rooted so hard for the protagonist and her family. This is a book that has to be read. This is a part of American history that needs to be taught show more and known by more people. I would recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars. show less