Faithr Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 (edited) My 9th grader had his spinal fusion surgery for his scoliosis yesterday! I spent the night in the hospital with him. Now I'm home with the younger kids, while dh sits with him today. I go back tonight! My son is doing very well so far! Anyway, at the hospital I realized the book I had brought was too deeply theological for me to read in that situation. I wanted something easy to read and gripping. So I checked out the gift store at the hospital. Alas, their book selections stank! Except I noticed that in one corner they had a bunch of autographed books by a particular author who teaches at UVA. I bought the one on the American West. It is fantastic! This guy's got a whole series of books like this. If the others are like the one I'm reading (I'm really tempted to go buy them all!) they would make wonderful books for high school American History. Check them out here. Edited February 25, 2010 by Faithr changed wording! I'm sleep deprived! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in GA Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 This is why I love these boards so much! I checked the titles out on Amazon, and there are a ton of them! They look great--just what I need for my ds who is studying U.S. history this year--something easy to read, but historical and fun. I can't wait to read them too! Thanks Again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 The books sound intriguing, Faithr. Thanks for the recommendation. And best wishes for your son's recovery from surgery! Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBS Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 These do look good. Can you comment on the "readability". One of the books said the age target was 9-12 years, but you commented on them being good for high school history. I'm looking for easily readable for my younger high schooler and these may be a good fit. I'm exp excited about the one about Virginia, as I had not yet figured out how to get in another look at the history of Virginia, and this looks great. THanks for sharing, LBS PS Swift healing to your son! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 (edited) I didn't see the one that was targeted for 9-12 but the one I am reading and the other ones that I saw were geared for older readers, though if your 12 yo was a strong reader and interested in history I could see these books possibly working for somebody like that. I'd say that the writer's skill is a little easier than McCullough's and the subject matter is presented in an easier format because it is told in short story format. The stories are packed with interesting facts and lots of history and a focus on personalities. The author doesn't seem to dwell on the occasional sordid details except in a matter of fact way. For instance when talking about Meriweather Lewis' mysterious suicide, he mentions the fact that some historians feel Lewis had syphilis. The author though seems to really believe that Lewis was suffering mental illness due to advanced malaria. Stuff like this is handled well, but makes it more suitable for high school, I think. Edited February 25, 2010 by Faithr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jld Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I hope your son continues to do well, Faithr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca VA Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Someone was asking on the K-8th board the other day if there were any books that could pick up where Guerber's histories left off. I think these might work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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