Incredible stories, inspiring stories, eyewitness stories—they all come together in this season’s collection of history series for students of all ages. Accounts of war and tragedies, descriptions of ancient wonders, and the progress of inventions and discoveries over the centuries are presented in vivid images and detailed text. Primary sources, contemporary photos, maps, and charts highlight important points and bring the past alive. The fight for suffrage or daring prison breaks may appeal to some, while the history of ice cream will certainly be to others’ taste. Whether readers want personal narratives or timelines of the broad sweep of civilization, there is something for everyone.

Elementary

Bolte, Mari. Taj Mahal. ISBN 9781640268630.
Dittmer, Lori. Chichén Itzá. ISBN 9781640268562.
––––. Machu Picchu. ISBN 9781640268609.
Lilley, Matt. Great Wall of China. ISBN 9781640268593.
––––. Stonehenge. ISBN 9781640268623.
Newbauer, Heidi. Egyptian Pyramids. ISBN 9781640268586.
––––. Statues of Easter Island. ISBN 9781640268616.
Simons, Lisa M. Bolt. Colosseum. ISBN 9781640268579.
ea vol: 32p. (Amazing Wonders). Creative Education. Jul. 2024. Tr. $35.70.
Gr 1-3–Limited text, large amounts of white space, and full-page illustrations make these books inviting to read. Each title describes the history, location, and significance of a human-made wonder. Along with information on how and why it was built, there is an in-depth look at a key feature from each site. For instance, scientists have now discovered where some of the stones from Stonehenge were originally located. Every wonder has a rich history, but is also a place that can still be visited today. Additional details appear in captions for the images. Vocabulary words appear in color and are defined at the bottom of the page. Words that may be unfamiliar to some readers, such Rapa Nui (ra-pa NOO-ee), also have the pronunciation given. Table of contents, index, and suggested books and websites for further reading are also provided. VERDICT A visually stunning presentation of worldwide historic sites; excellent for primary grade historians.

Budd, Anitra. Black Americans’ Right to Vote. ISBN 9798892131438.
Davies, Monika. Asian Americans’ Right to Vote. ISBN 9798892131469.
Sonneborn, Liz. American Indians’ Right to Vote. ISBN 9798892131490.
Spanier, Kristine. Women’s Right to Vote. ISBN 9798892131520.
ea vol: 24p. (The Right to Vote). Jump!/Pogo. Aug. 2024. Tr. $18.95.
Gr 2-5–This series covers the struggle to achieve voting rights for various groups. Illustrations include archival photos as well as current scenes at polling places. Text is generally a few sentences per page or paragraphs facing a full-page image. Critical thinking questions and additional details appear in small text boxes scattered throughout the book. Each title ends with a timeline of important events on the path to voting rights for the group. An additional graphic of some sort is included in each book, such as a map showing when the first 36 states voted for the 19th Amendment or a graph showing Black voter participation in presidential elections since 1964. A glossary and access to the Fact Surfer website offer additional support for readers. VERDICT Recommended purchase for updating collections and to complement social studies units on civic engagement.

Koster, Gloria. The Story of Ice Cream. ISBN 9780756582043.
––––. The Story of Toilet Paper. ISBN 9780756582036.
Respicio, Mae. The Story of Crayons. ISBN 9780756582012.
––––. The Story of Sneakers. ISBN 9780756582029.
ea vol: 32p. (Stories of Everyday Things). Capstone. Jul. 2024. Tr. $31.32.
K-Gr 3–Young learners will appreciate these explanations of how familiar objects are made. Each title covers the invention and early history of the object, manufacturing and delivery, and other interesting facts. Readers can learn about the world’s tallest crayon or that sneakers have been around since 1832. Large photos and other images break up the text and support comprehension. The vibrant colors of different ice cream flavors and the various crayons pop off the page. Color is also used to draw attention to glossary words within the text. Other features include a table of contents, an index, and suggestions for books and websites for further reading. Directions for a related activity such as making your own crayons or designing your own sneakers complete each book. VERDICT This would be a useful series for looking at changes over time and also very helpful for discussing raw materials and finished products.

Levy, Janey. The Alamo. ISBN 9781482466416.
––––. Ellis Island. ISBN 9781482466324.
––––. Gettysburg. ISBN 9781482466355.
––––. Independence Hall. ISBN 9781482466386.
––––. Seneca Falls. ISBN 9781482466447.
––––. The White House. ISBN 9781482466478.
ea vol: 24p. (Here’s Where History Happened!). Gareth Stevens. Jul. 2024. Tr. $24.27.
Gr 2-5–Each title in this series begins with the question “Have you heard?”, asking readers how familiar they are with historic sites before launching into what makes each one noteworthy. Full text pages are paired with maps, photos, and captions that provide additional details. Readers will learn extra nuggets of information, like that the basement of Independence Hall “was once used as Philadelphia’s Dog Pound,” in “Know the Facts!” text boxes. Along with coverage of the historical significance, a final section describes what the site is like today. The table of contents, index, glossary, and suggested books and websites offer support and ways to extend learning. A few titles have additional features like a chart comparing the Declaration of Sentiments and the Declaration of Independence or a map of L’Enfant’s plan for D.C. VERDICT A helpful introduction to famous sites from American history and easy to pair with units of study.

Upper Elementary to Middle School

Gifford, Clive. Inventions. ISBN 9781499476439.
Miles, John C. Medicine. ISBN 9781499476460.
ea vol: 48p. (A Short, Illustrated History of...). Rosen/Rosen Young Adult. Jul. 2024. Tr. $33.47.
Gr 4-8–In these informative and colorful titles, thumbnail images accompany each entry in the table of contents, and illustrations appear on every page. Images capture Röntgen at work on vacuum tubes, Florence Nightingale with her lamp, and GPS satellites. A paragraph covers the main point of each topic, and additional information can be found in shorter paragraphs (in a slightly smaller font) on each spread. Labels and captions share even more information. Sidebars focus on related facts such as how the printing press, besides being an important invention itself, also advanced the pace of inventions overall by spreading scientific findings and discoveries. The books can be read cover to cover or dipped into for specific information. Along with a glossary and suggestion for further reading, there is also a list of places to visit related to the topics in each book. VERDICT A helpful series to supplement research or fulfill individual curiosity.

Gitlin, Martin. Ancient Innovations That Shaped History. ISBN 9781668947340.
––––. Ancient Laws: The Weird and the Deadly. ISBN 9781668947333.
––––. Ancient Rulers Who Wrecked the World. ISBN 9781668947326.
––––. Social Media in the Age of Socrates. ISBN 9781668947357.
––––. Surviving Ancient Droughts, Plagues, and Natural Disasters. ISBN 9781668947371.
––––. Waging Ancient Warfare. ISBN 9781668947364.
ea vol: 32p. (Ancient Worlds). Cherry Lake Publishing/45th Parallel Pr. Jul. 2024. Tr. $32.07.
Gr 5-8–Written to entice reluctant readers, this hi-lo series uses “considerate text” to make students more comfortable accessing the material. Information is grouped around topics designed to intrigue, such as weird and deadly ancient laws or “rulers who wrecked the world.” Photos of ancient art, historic landmarks, or reenactors in costume support the narrative. Sidebars offer intriguing stories about the first newspaper, or about how willow bark used in ancient times led to the development of aspirin. Each book also includes a “Mystery Solved or Unsolved?” feature about a story or myth that has not been proven yet. Each title ends with a focus on a different person: Emperor Titus, Aeschylus, and Archimedes are a few examples. A glossary with pronunciation and definition, and suggested books and websites for further learning are also provided. VERDICT A useful series for reluctant readers, or precocious intermediate grade historians.

Hamen, Susan E. Coming Together on 9/11. ISBN 9781503889149.
––––. Survivors on 9/11. ISBN 9781503889118.
Havemeyer, Janie. Reporters on 9/11. ISBN 9781503889132.
Rea, Amy C. Citizen Heroes on 9/11. ISBN 9781503889101.
––––. First Responders on 9/11. ISBN 9781503889095.
––––. Rescue Dogs on 9/11. ISBN 9781503889125.
ea vol: 32p. (Remembering 9/11). The Child’s World/Momentum. Jul. 2024. Tr. $35.64.
Gr 4-6–Striking visuals and quotes from survivors give this series an emotional impact. A “Fast Facts” bulleted list begins each of these titles, which gives readers an idea of the main topics in each chapter and can also be referred back to as a review. Photos capture the intense events of the day and its aftermath, and captions for the images supply additional details. A selected bibliography, a glossary, suggested books for further reading, and access to online resources are also provided, and a sidebar with critical thinking questions closes out each title. Each book also has an additional infographic such as a 9/11 timeline of events, a graph showing the incidence of anti-Islamic hate crimes from 1991–2021, or thumbnail images with descriptions of the Search and Rescue dogs that assisted at the sites. VERDICT Highly recommended for collections in need of coverage of this event.

Roberts, Kelly. The American Revolution. ISBN 9781916526884.
––––. The US Civil War. ISBN 9781916526891.
––––. The Vietnam War. ISBN 9781916526907.
––––. World War I. ISBN 9781916526914.
––––. World War II. ISBN 9781916526921.
ea vol: 48p. (Witness to War). Cheriton Children’s Books. Aug. 2024. Tr. $33.32.
Gr 5-8–“What can we learn from the people who witnessed war?” That question greets readers on the cover of each title. The information within offers readers a chance to draw their own conclusions. Primary source images and quotations lend immediacy to the narrative in these texts. Descriptions of the sound of mortar fire at Fort Sumter or the experiences of nurses risking shrapnel to reach wounded soldiers have a greater impact coming from an eyewitness. The quotes are accompanied by critical thinking questions and explanatory notes to deepen understanding. Text is broken into sections by subheadings within each chapter. The images, quotes, and captions help to further chunk the information for easy digestion. Suggestions for further reading; both books and websites; a glossary; and a timeline provide additional opportunities to learn. VERDICT The use of primary sources makes this series a strong addition to collections.

Upper Middle School to High School

Hurst. Aiden J. Danelo Cavalcante: Escape from Chester County Prison. ISBN 9781422249369.
––––. Glen Stewart Godwin: A Real Life Shawshank Redemption Escape. ISBN 9781422249376.
––––. Richard Matt and David Sweat: The Real Story of Dannemora. ISBN 9781422249383.
ea vol: 64p. (Infamous Jailbreaks). National Highlights/Mason Crest. Sept. 2024. Tr. $25.95.
Gr 7 Up–Readers may enjoy true stories of manhunts and daring jailbreaks. This series includes a biographical sketch of each inmate, the background of each event, details of the escape, and the consequences. Photos and computer-generated images of prison cells and execution chambers help readers visualize the conditions the inmates were fleeing from. Sidebars discuss penal codes, prison trustee systems, and other topics that may broaden perspectives about the events. There are also QR codes to access video content such as news coverage, speeches, interviews, and even discussions with experts on the “psychological traits of killers.” Suggestions for further reading and URLs for the video segments are included in the back matter. VERDICT Useful for criminal justice electives or for individual curiosity about famous escapes.

Colorful photographs of everyday objects like Air Jordans and gelato make the “Stories of Everyday Things” (Capstone) especially appealing. The images will pull them in, but they will come away with plenty of facts about invention and manufacturing. “Remembering 9/11” (The Child’s World/Momentum) does a thorough job of covering various aspects of the events such as citizen heroes, first responders, and how communities came together to recover. Illustrations capture key moments, like the dedication of the Pentagon Memorial or firefighters fighting the blaze at the World Trade Center. And for breathtaking photos of historic sites, “Amazing Wonders” (The Creative Company) shares locations around the world in large-scale images and concise text, while “Here’s Where History Happened” (Gareth Stevens) familiarizes readers with sites linked to famous events in American history. These impactful titles will inspire readers hoping to learn about and understand the past.