West Virginia
The United States: Past and Present
The spirit of West Virginia and its people are best exemplified by the state's most central feature--the Appalachian Mountains. West Virginians are hardy, enduring, and rugged, with a resourcefulness that matches the bounty of natural resources locked within those mountains. In colonial times, West Virginia was considered the western frontier and was part of the Virginia colony. The state's economy has been driven by its rich reserves of natural resources, and its culture has been enriched by its resourceful and spirited populace--including many famous actors, athletes, astronauts, authors, and mathematicians. West Virginia is a state of mountains and mountaineers, forever reaching to the sky and well-grounded within the rich earth. Its compelling history is revealed here in great detail and with a suitably noble and uplifting spirit.
* Reviews *
Series Review: United States: Past and Present"Unlike other elementary series available on states, this provides information on more advanced topics, such as proposing and passing state laws, and candid facts about Indian removal...RECOMMENDED."
--Library Media Connection
Series Review:
"These attractive overviews cover the geography, history, government, economy, and famous people in each state. Each section features a "Past and Present" page, giving history and current importance of special-interest topics, like the Indy 500 or the life of Johnny Appleseed...The writing is clear, and facts are plainly stated--a boon for students working on reports. Good-quality photos, portraits, and relevant paintings illustrate the texts. Back batter encourages further research into recent books and a variety of Web sites that can be accessed through a publisher's link. These volumes compare favorably to Ann Heinrich's Tennessee and Indiana (both Compass Point, 2003). Good selections for libraries updating their state-books collections."
--School Library Journal
Series Review:
"Combining information about history, geography, culture, and political structure in an attractive format, these books are divided into five chapters that discuss the state's land, history, government, economy, and famous natives. The "Past and Present" component is provided through numerous sidebars that connect the history and current status of a wide array of topics, such as natural resources, agriculture, industry, and environmental issues that are important to an understanding of the place... These titles will give students both basic report information and an interesting perspective on how a state's past affects its present."
--Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO, School Library Journal
