American Revolution:  Fact Tracker

Magic Tree House Companion Series    Book Review#2

The American Revolution fact tracker is one in a series of twenty-eight non-fiction companion books developed by Mary Pope Osborne to partner with her Magic Tree House books.  These companions provide informational text to align and enhance the stories of the series.  This fact tracker partners with Magic Tree House book #22:  Revolutionary War on Wednesday.  The book was published in 2004 by Random House:  New York.  The book has an AR book level of 4.5 with a lexile level of 700.  The book features 121 pages of quarter to three-quarter text pages as well as pictures on every pages.  The pictures are black and white and include both cartoon-like illustrations that include Jack and Annie of the original Magic Tree House series as well as more life-like drawings of the historical events and people.  In addition, the book features timelines, maps, an index of historical places and people, and lists of books, DVDs, Internet resources, and museums that align with the text. 

 The book is laid out well for younger readers; there are plenty of interesting and educational illustrations and graphics.  The book offers great historical information on the early years of colonization, the Revolutionary War, and The Declaration of Independence.  It is easy to read while also offering a good variety of social studies' type vocabulary.

This book, as well as the others in the fact tracker series, would offer a well-rounded overview of history for the young reader while also enhancing an already established series that has been loved by kids for many years.

Above and to the right, you see some examples of the types of graphics offered in the series.  The map graphic to the right shows the location and make up of the 13 colonies.  As a history teacher of older students, I can see where this information would be a valuable preface to the study of the colonization period. 

The book would be a delight for students who are interested in the colonial period as well as those who have an interest in war, particularly, the Revolutionary War. 

These books are extremely similar to the fiction Magic Tree House series and also hold a resemblance to the Magic School Bus series; both of which offer students good information while entertaining and being visually simulating.  The book has not received any awards; however, the partner Magic Tree House series has. 

Additional digital resources may be found at 42explore2.com/revolt.htm; kidport.com/reflib/usahistory/americanrevolution/amerrevolution.htm; mountvernon.org; pbs.org/liberty; thefreedomtrail.org; and ushistory.org/betsy/flagtale.html. 

This would be a great book to use in introductory activities for study of the colonies or the Revolutionary War.