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48 pp.
| Simon/Wiseman
| May, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5344-0233-1$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-5344-0234-8
(2)
K-3
During the War of 1812, Baltimore business owner Mary Pickersgill and her seamstresses were commissioned to create a huge, thirty-by-forty-two-foot flag. The flag survived a crucial British attack in 1814, which poet Francis Scott Key immortalized in verse. Hartland's straightforward account clearly explains important facts and asks questions that engage readers. Her folksy gouache illustrations playfully reflect our then-new nation and incorporate speech-balloon dialogue. Reading list, timeline. Bib.
40 pp.
| McElderry
| May, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4814-6096-5$17.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4814-6097-2
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Holly Berry.
During the War of 1812, thirteen-year-old flag-maker's daughter Caroline Pickersgill helped stitch her first flag, which flew at Fort McHenry when the British attacked. Francis Scott Key's poem (now our national anthem) immortalized the flag. Fulton's rhythmically paced prose subtly echoes the poem's lines (appended). Berry's striking collaged block prints with colored pencil contrast thick black lines with bold, patriotic colors. Bib.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Eliza Wheeler.
In 1812, teenage scholar Max hires Captain Bluecrowne to search for an ancient weapon powerful enough to impose peace. When the captain is killed, twelve-year-old midshipman Oliver is given command; captain's daughter Lucy and Max persuade Oliver to search for the weapon's remaining parts. The idea of achieving peace through superior firepower is effectively questioned over the course of the fast-paced nautical narrative.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2016
(3)
YA
Presidential Powerhouses series.
Through these significant presidencies, this thorough series examines crucial periods in America's history: the birth of a fledgling nation, the War of 1812, the Great Depression and WWII, and the dawn of America's "New Frontier." Each president's early life, administration milestones, and ultimate legacy are discussed in detailed chapters filled with maps and period photos or illustrations. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Presidential Powerhouses titles: Franklin D. Roosevelt's Presidency, George Washington's Presidency, John F. Kennedy's Presidency, and James Madison's Presidency.
(4)
K-3
Cloverleaf Books: Our American Symbols series.
Illustrated by
Kyle Poling.
Framed by purposeful stories set in classrooms with diverse students, these books explore national landmarks and symbols while also providing synopses of the various related American history topics and trivia inquisitive young historians will enjoy. Slick, cartoony illustrations contribute to the series' chipper tone. Each book includes an activity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our American Symbols titles: Can We Ring the Liberty Bell?, Can You Sing "The Star-Spangled Banner"?, Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?, What Is Inside the Lincoln Memorial?, Why Are There Stripes on the American Flag?, and Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?.
(4)
4-6
This fascinating account of the British invasion--and burning--of Washington, DC, during the War of 1812 features a compelling narrative hook, lots of primary-source excerpts, and an inviting full-color book design. However, it's rather challenging to keep track of all the characters and settings in the brief single-day time period, and the narrative structure is slightly discombobulated. Bib., ind.
138 pp.
| Farrar/Foster
| July, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-36387-1$16.99
(2)
YA
An 1812 incident at Fort Wayne, Indiana, reveals the issues and human costs of westward expansion. Two boys--Miami Anikwa and settler James--are good friends. Then American and British armies arrive and prepare for battle. Apprehension on both sides breeds injustices and resentments that flare into catastrophic acts. Poignant and beautifully fashioned, the book is told in Frost's signature poems. Glos.
(4)
4-6
Fact Finders: Cause and Effect series.
These books present cursory accounts of two key events of American history. Causes of selected occurrences are presented, followed by the outcomes that resulted and their implications for the future. Numerous sidebars and inserts are sometimes redundant or distracting. Maps, charts, and illustrations accompany the suitable texts. Common Core critical thinking prompts are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Cause and Effect titles: Mr. Madison's War and Expanding a Nation.
48 pp.
| Random
| January, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-96725-2$12.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-375-86725-5$3.99
(4)
K-3
Step into Reading series.
Illustrated by
Richard Walz.
Kulling relates the events that led to Francis Scott Key's writing the national anthem. Concise, easy-to-read sentences that won't overwhelm new readers provide much information about Key's life and the events before and during the War of 1812. The inconsistently cartoony illustrations are an odd match for the straightforward historical account. An appended note offers additional details about the famous flag.
48 pp.
| Abrams
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8109-9733-2$18.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jeff Himmelman.
This picture book biography explains how a Haitian-born Jewish pirate provided General Andrew Jackson with information that helped him win the Battle of New Orleans. The lengthy text makes a complicated life and its historical context accessible for middle graders. Illustrations with loose background strokes and muted colors create a sense of the largely nautical setting.
32 pp.
| Sleeping Bear
| May, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58536-484-8$16.95
(4)
K-3
Tales of Young Americans series.
Illustrated by
Robert Papp.
St. Michaels, Maryland, a shipbuilding community on the Chesapeake Bay, is targeted by the British Navy during the War of 1812. While bringing a message to his soldier father, young Henry Middle makes a tactical suggestion that saves the town. Though the text is overwrought and the illustrations are uneven, the book effectively highlights how one child's act can make a difference.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| February, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2009-4$17.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ronald Himler.
The story opens with Washington, D.C., burning and Dolley Madison heroically rescuing valuable treasures from the Executive Mansion. The text loses some momentum as it goes back to summarize James's and Dolley's biographies individually, then their meeting and marriage. Information about Madison's presidency and the War of 1812 is also included. Sketchlike illustrations complete the offering. Timeline, websites. Bib.
32 pp.
| Dutton
| May, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-47792-1$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Stacey Schuett.
During the War of 1812, a lighthouse keeper's daughters spot a British warship approaching. The fast-thinking sisters trick the British marines (portrayed as buffoons) into believing that American soldiers are advancing by playing "Yankee Doodle" on a fife and drum. Bold-hued double-page spreads make use of light and shadow to enhance this historic drama based on a true incident.
24 pp.
| Heinemann
| January, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4329-0659-7$20.71
(4)
K-3
Primeras biografías series.
These books offer some insight into the lives of people important to United States history. Mayer provides brief background information on each person, along with why he or she should be remembered, though the Spanish texts are oversimplified and by no means comprehensive. Photographs, watercolors, and period illustrations accompany the texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Primeras biografías titles: Abigail Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, George Washington, Harriet Tubman, Tecumseh, and Thomas Jefferson.
149 pp.
| Boyds/Calkins
| October, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-560-7$16.95
(3)
4-6
Twelve-year-old Lemuel never expected to face a British warship on his first nighttime fishing excursion. Nevertheless, he finds himself tangled in an invasion during the War of 1812. Based on true events, this entertaining and lively tale recounts how a fishing village worked together to save its captured men and negotiate a truce with the British. Bib.
32 pp.
| Houghton
| October, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-618-41199-3$16.00
(3)
K-3
This picture book biography focuses on a particular incident in the First Lady's life: during the War of 1812, Dolley rescued the Gilbert Stuart life-size portrait of George Washington from the soon-to-be-burned President's Mansion. Brown's fine-lined pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations don't shy away from the harsh realities of battle and post-Revolutionary War life but nevertheless maintain a sly, light tone. Bib.
24 pp.
| Heinemann
| August, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4034-9975-2$20.71
(4)
K-3
First Biographies series.
One or two easy-to-read sentences per page accompanied by a well-chosen picture (mostly artwork reproductions) explain the highlights of Tecumseh's life, his accomplishments, and legacy. Though the explanation of tensions between settlers and Native Americans is greatly oversimplified, this book provides a useful, accessible, very basic introduction for young readers. Timeline. Glos., ind.
128 pp.
| Enslow/Links.com
| October, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-59845-006-9$33.27
(3)
4-6
America's Wars through Primary Sources series.
A brief discussion of events surrounding each conflict provides background for study of primary sources. Archival photographs, paintings, documents, and maps combine with quotes from soldiers, politicians, family, and the press to provide a comprehensive perspective. The publisher's website includes up-to-date links, and screen shots are included throughout the book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's Wars through Primary Sources titles: Primary Source Accounts of the War of 1812, Primary Source Accounts of the Mexican-American War, and Primary Source Accounts of the Revolutionary War.
32 pp.
| Houghton
| April, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-618-26757-3$$16.00
(4)
4-6
In Baltimore during the War of 1812, Caroline Pickersgill helped her mother, Mary, make flags, including the one made famous as the Star-Spangled Banner. The tale is impeccably told, and the pictures are delicate and detailed. However, few hard facts are supplied in the text, known facts are altered, and suppositions are presented as true. A list of sources and "flag facts" are appended.
80 pp.
| Lerner
| March, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-0800-1$$27.93
(3)
4-6
Chronicle of America's Wars series.
These books do an adequate job of detailing the activities that led to the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War as well as the wars themselves. "Eyewitness quotes," reproduced art, and maps help to break up the sometimes dense text. Occasional double-page spreads focus on topics such as weapons and uniforms. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Chronicle of America's Wars titles: The War of 1812 and The Mexican-American War.