HIT, ELEM> "One Nation" series by Capstone

[Suzanne Weinheimer <suzanne@WHATEXIT.COM>]

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We have purchased Fradin's newer state series for our 4th grade classes.
It is published by Children's Press with copyright dates from 1991-1995.
They published approximately 12 per year and finished the series in 1995.
The books are approximately 64 pages with colored photos. Hope this helps.
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  Our book review group has been reviewing the Capstone state books as
they
are being published. They are very slight, and quite marginal. The best
use
for them might be for a school that has a need for high/low state books.
Look further.
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We use Fradin's newer series - From Sea to Shining sea for state books
for our 4th drade students. It is about 64 pages with colored photos and
a page with all the pertinent state facts - flag, bird, tree, et. These
have copyright dates of 1991-95. They are published by Children's Press.
They published about 12-13 per year during those years.

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 I haven't specifically seen that series, but everything else
I've seen by them has been very good.  Their primary offering at this
time is Hi/Lo books and those have been well received in my media
center.  I also really like their early biography series.  The quality
of the books, illustrations and appropriateness of the text is good.
They're also really easy to work with.  I'll bet they'd send a sample.
[note: I never thought of asking for samples!]
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I have a few of these "one nation" books because I reviewed them.
A third grade class was using state books for state reports and the series
by Lerner publications was their favorite.
        The thing I didn't like about the Capstone series is that it
didn't
have any maps in it.  (At least the earlier ones didn't).
        I'm sure they're at your public library.  Take a look at them and
see for yourself.  I was going to buy them for our younger kids cause they
seem to love those state books, but the Lerner series is by far the best
and
the favorite of kids at Cooper that I've seen.
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 I have just purchased a few of the Capstone books, and I did so
because they were immediately available.  They seemed to be adequate,
and the rep I use who handles them, I consider to be very reliable.

I also have sets of From Sea to Shining Sea (Children's Press) which was
just completed last year.  I like it very much.  The reading level is
around 3.5, and there is enough information to satisify most teachers
for reports.  I also have Lerner's Hello USA! series.  I like it also.
I think it was finished in '95 or '96.

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I've decided for next year, to go with 'From Sea to Shining Sea.' Perhaps
in another two years or so, I'll get another set; maybe Thompson's
revised 'Portrait of America'. Thanks for the suggestions.

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Suzanne Weinheimer, Library Media Specialist
South Mountain School/Annex (K-4),   444 West South Orange Avenue,
South Orange, NJ  07079
school email:    SMtnSchLib@aol.com
personal email:  suzanne@whatexit.com
school web page: http://southmountain.somsd.k12.nj.us
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