Lynda G. Adamson

If we take the new Common Core standards from the National Governor’s Conference at their word, then, the nation’s children should be exposed across their school years to more and more complex texts. It makes one think: how does that happen? Through textbooks? Through prescribed titles? But what about the challenges of diversity and the need for differentiation? How can a teacher in front of a class with 25 very different students expose every single child to the kinds of materials that are going to prepare them for college and careers? Through access to a classroom collection? You have got to be kidding! In these two hefty volumes, Adamson takes us into the world of historical fiction and non-fiction; biographies, graphic novels, DVDs and CDs period by period through U.S. history. Suddenly, one realizes that the potential to provide every child and teen with a plethora of excellent resources is within our grasp. The potential is there with sufficient funding to provide the foundation of excellence. The challenge, of course, is how to integrate this bountiful harvest into the everyday exploration of a vibrant and fascinating historical adventure. What is missing from these volumes is the vast number of websites and database materials that could add another major dimension to the study of our history and culture. That world would take equally thick volumes to list and annotate. For those in school and public libraries, these volumes are an invaluable collection development tool. Professionals at the district level can make great use of this resource to look across collections that could be shared across schools. One wishes that this could be a digital collection that could be kept current over time. However, used soon, it is a fine reference work.… (mehr)

If we take the new Common Core standards from the National Governor’s Conference at their word, then, the nation’s children should be exposed across their school years to more and more complex texts. It makes one think: how does that happen? Through textbooks? Through prescribed titles? But what about the challenges of diversity and the need for differentiation? How can a teacher in front of a class with 25 very different students expose every single child to the kinds of materials that are going to prepare them for college and careers? Through access to a classroom collection? You have got to be kidding! In these two hefty volumes, Adamson takes us into the world of historical fiction and non-fiction; biographies, graphic novels, DVDs and CDs period by period through U.S. history. Suddenly, one realizes that the potential to provide every child and teen with a plethora of excellent resources is within our grasp. The potential is there with sufficient funding to provide the foundation of excellence. The challenge, of course, is how to integrate this bountiful harvest into the everyday exploration of a vibrant and fascinating historical adventure. What is missing from these volumes is the vast number of websites and database materials that could add another major dimension to the study of our history and culture. That world would take equally thick volumes to list and annotate. For those in school and public libraries, these volumes are an invaluable collection development tool. Professionals at the district level can make great use of this resource to look across collections that could be shared across schools. One wishes that this could be a digital collection that could be kept current over time. However, used soon, it is a fine reference work.… (mehr)