A Picture Book of Sam Houston

Adler, David A. and Michelle S. Adler     A Picture Book of Sam Houston 

Holiday House      2012  unp   $17.95     978-0-8234-2369-9   VG-BNes    elem  Picture Book Biographies (Holiday) 

Elementary students are introduced to the life and times of Sam Houston, "a teacher, a lawyer, a war hero, and a statesman … best known for defeating the Mexican Army in 1836 and establishing Texas as an independent nation".  Students gain some knowledge of Sam’s upbringing and family life in Tennessee, along with his time living among the Cherokee Indians.  Sam’s early career as an educator to his life as a soldier, attorney general, governor, United States senator, and president of the Republic of Texas are all covered.  Students discover how Texas gained its independence from Mexico, along with the battles that were fought, and how Texas became the 28th state of the United States of America.  The author describes the Alamo, the British War of 1812, and the victory at San Jacinto.  Houston’s three marriages are discussed, especially his marriage to Margaret Lea, which produced eight children. 

The beautiful illustrations, created in Corel Painter, show students what things looked like in Houston's day.  The book includes important dates, source notes, a selected bibliography, and recommended websites, and it can be used for casual reading or beginning-level research.  Schools that participate in Accelerated Reader will be able to use quiz #149742 for students.  At the time of this review, 32 books have been published in this series featuring important figures in United States history. 

                Charleen Forba-Mayer  Houston, Sam, 1793-1863.