American heroes

Review by Booklist Review

Gr. 5-8. This handsome package will work well for report writers and browsers alike. Oversize, printed on high-quality paper, and full of interesting photographs and paintings, it invites kids to pick it up. An engaging introduction by educator-author Robert D. Johnston asks, What Is an American Hero? and describes how subjects were chosen and how the definition of hero may have changed over the years. It also explains why the controversial actions of some subjects--for example, Charles Lindbergh--did not disqualify them. The book, divided by era, includes the usual suspects (Washington, the Wright brothers, Einstein, etc.) as well as a few, such as George Mason and Johnny Appleseed, who don't immediately come to mind. There's an obvious effort to balance inclusions by gender and race, so a few names may have gotten in that otherwise would not have been chosen (Queen Lili'uokalani). Still, everyone fits into the definition in the cover blurb: Fifty profiles of great Americans who set out, spoke up, stood tall, fought hard, or truly dared to dream. Quote sources (in tiny print) are the only documentation. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2005 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 6 Up-Perhaps the most revealing aspect of this ambitious anthology is historian Robert D. Johnson's definition of heroes as people, however imperfect they may be, who have "reached beyond their flaws to make exceptional contributions to humanity." Chosen for his or her vision, strength, and commitment to exploration or change, each figure has at least a spread and one full-page image. Organized chronologically from pre-Colonial times through today, the 50 entries range from Pocahontas to Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Individuals include Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amelia Earhart, Queen Lili'oukalani, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Jonas Salk. Delano does not deify these figures; she recognizes each person's contributions to America. The clearly written, beautifully laid out profiles include an information box with basic chronology, milestones, landmarks, honors, and a bulleted list of facts. An extensive index, list of quote sources, resource guide, and picture credits are appended. American Heroes may cause debate about those included and excluded, but each person is grandly deserving of the title.-Delia Carruthers, Sunset Ridge Middle School, West Jordan, UT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Horn Book Review

In this compendium, Delano strives to represent heroes from all walks of life throughout the history of our nation. Explanations of the cultural attitudes of the time introduce each chronological division and set the historical stage. Generously illustrated, the informative, thorough sketches highlight unusual facts alongside the biographical. Bib., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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