The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong, illustrated Roger Roth Grades 4-7 368 pages Knopf August 2006 Hardcover     History should be every child’s favorite subject. Any single year of history is full of drama, action, crises of faith, heroism and discovery. Somehow, though, many schoolbooks miss the point and turn history into a dry list of dates and names. Kids call it boring, and they’re not wrong. But considering that history is, in most instances, not a very tidy or polite situation, textbooks struggle with making it child-safe and, a far harder task, parent-approved. Enter The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History, one of the best history books a family could have. Jennifer Armstrong has managed to find stories that show the development of America in all its messy, idealistic, violent, conflicted, innovative glory. The stories go from the European discovery of North America to the strange election of 2000, and range from familiar epics like the ride of Paul Revere and the laying of the Golden Spike to oddities like the Molasses Flood. The usual overemphasized recountings of battles and paperwork are made to share room at last with the technological and social pioneering that made them possible. Any given year might talk about pirates in the Gulf, or a chef’s irritated invention. Even armchair historians may find a new story. Most important, Armstrong focuses on the people who brought about all these fascinating times. The thrill and shock of Western exploration is felt with the first white explorers to see a redwood. The strife of the Civil War comes home not in numbers, but in a few quiet dialogues and personal acts of heroism. And the technical triumph of the Brooklyn Bridge becomes a nail-biting battle for public opinion until America’s greatest showman saves the day. The heroes are as varied as the stories. Anyone beginning to feel that American history is nothing but a bunch of battles and contracts between powerful white men will find a much more honest cast of characters here. And all of this is presented without cynicism or arrogance, only enthusiasm and a palpable affection for the people of the country long past or in a child’s lifetime. Armstrong’s storytelling is amazingly versatile. With each story only a handful of pages long, she adds life to her narrative by unobtrusively taking the tone of a contemporary observer, shocked by calamity, roaring in triumph, breath hushed in awe. Roger Roth’s illustrations allow Armstrong to dispense with heavy-handed description of period setting, providing wonderful visual cues to the changing times. These are stories to make children proud and give adults caution. They are stories of people, about people, and for people ready to laugh, cry, and hold their breath in wonder. And they’re all true. What could be better than that?     web reviews   Sarah Meador/2010 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)