Christy Steele

The author begins this expository text with chapters on Spain and Mexico's influence in the entire southwest of the United States and one on the Mexican-American War. Later sections deal separately with the beginning years of California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico. The author appropriately ties California's statehood to the Gold Rush. The book is balanced in its attitude towards the policy of "Manifest Destiny" and ends with the words "Despite accomplishments, western expansion came at a high price. The U.S. government broke treaties and sacrificed many lives in wars fought to acquire territory". The book includes many historical photographs, primary documents, a time line, and a glossary. I borrowed this book from a public library, and although already five years old, the binding actually creaked and the pages were stiff from lack of use.This made me think about how fourth grade students would probably not usually choose to read this book unless they were using it as a reference for a report. Despite its probable lack of popularity, the book is clearly written, has fairly large type, and a history-loving child would probably enjoy it.… (more)

This book gives basis information about what tarantulas eat, where they live and some different types. The book contains a variety of graphic pictures.
This was a very informative book but the picture might be a little graphic for younger children. It shows the tarantula eating a frog and a beetle.
I could use this book in class when teaching a lesson on different types of spiders and insects. I could maybe even bring a tarantula into the classroom and have the students compare the tarantulas from the book to the one in the classroom. Another way to use the book is to talk about dangerous and non dangerous tarantula and do a regional study on where they live.… (more)