Uncovers the Earliest English Colonies.

Huey, Lois Miner. Uncovers the Earliest English Colonies.
Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark 2010 64p 25.09 American Archeology(MC)
978-0-7614-4264-6 elm/ms E-BNes
Archaeology, when combined with a topic like early English colonies, comes alive! the student learns basics about digging for artifacts as well as interesting information about the triumphs and tragedies of these first colonies in America. The author has the qualifications, the lively writing style and the ability to engage children in learning about archaeology. Lois Miner Huey has combined these qualities to produce a book that will make painstaking digging up of artifacts sound exciting! Children will undoubtedly love the great lay-out which is characterized by dirt-like lettering. They learn about the lost colony of Roanoke, the not so well-known colony that settlers tried to establish in Popham, Maine, and the famous, surviving colony of Jamestown. The most fascinating information is about John Smith, who “brought a Native American back to life” by giving some alcohol to a man who’d fainted. Needless to say, Native Americans held Smith in great esteem after that miracle, and Jamestown grew to become the first surviving English colony. The author shows what can happen when care is not taken in preserving historical sites. Tragically, entire sections of sites have been destroyed, but many more have been uncovered, revealing fascinating information about early colonists and their Native American contacts. By reading this book, students see how archaeologists arrive at their conclusions. Perhaps the best example of this is the story about Raleigh Gilbert, an explorer who’d brought a window with him, and the discovery of this window shows that he was a leader since windows were hard to come by in those days. (p. 29) On page 32, we see that the colonists were engineers as well, due to their creation of an artificial channel through their fort for water usage. Books like this one make a less interesting topic come alive! The timeline and glossary at the end are valuable, and the list of sources to consult and the bibliography are extensive. Squaresky, Martha

The Underground Railroad.

Huey, Lois Miner. The Underground Railroad.
Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark 2010 64p 25.09
American Archeology Uncovers(MC)
978-0-7614-4267-7 ms/hs E-BNS
Several important discoveries pertaining to the Underground Railroad are described, all of them made by means of archeological evidence. This slim volume is a treasure trove of information about slavery and the Underground Railroad, all uncovered by means of archeological evidence. The organization is good, the layout attractive, and the illustrations relevant. The list of reference for future research is fairly comprehensive, and there is a useful glossary in the back. Altogether, this is a good introduction to a fascinating subject for the student who is interested in the history of slavery in America. Kennedy, Carol

American Archaeology Uncovers the Westward Movement.

Huey, Lois Miner. American Archaeology Uncovers the Westward Movement.
Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark 2010 64p $25.09 American Archeology(MC)
978-0-7614-4265-3 elm/ms VG-BN
Describes the methods used by American archaeologists to learn about the westward expansion in North America. This fascinating study of the archaeology of historic locations fills a void for helping readers understand how we know what we know about history. An introduction to historical archaeology explains how archaeologists recreate how people in the past lived by unearthing and studying garbage: broken glassware, bones, and the foundations of homes and barns. Six fact filled, easy to read chapters focus on a variety of locations that were to be found along the trails that were part of the Westward Movement. The author discusses what archaeologists uncovered at these sites and then shows how historians used these artifacts to interpret the past while also including the factual historical record. A variety of captioned photographs of artifacts and archaeologists working in the field, as well as maps and diagrams complement the text. Sidebars provide additional information on other trails and locations associated with the Westward Movement. The narrative is the highlight of this title, making history come alive for amateur archaeologists who fancy themselves Indiana Jones. A timeline highlights the important events associated with Westward Migration. Includes a glossary, sources for further information and a detailed index. This series has much potential, and perhaps can branch out to include archaeology of well-known historic sites, such as the recently discovered evidence of slavery in the shadow of Independence Hall. Some of the websites have advertising and such sites should not be suggested. A button on the Gold Rush site that states “click here to learn more” does not refer to finding more information on the Gold Rush but instead takes young students to a site selling diabetic supplies and further confuses students who may think that cancel will navigate them away from the page but in fact cancels the navigation. Zajko, Rosanne & Theal, Joan