A Reconstructing America: 1865-1890 A History of US Book 7

This is the best U.S. History program I have found for the Elementary and Middle school age especially. Joy Hakim presents history in an accurate light - with more than one opinion on events. Most history books present a one sided picture of history without ever explaining that there are several possibilities for the details of many events that we are not sure of. Joy Hakim presents different viewpoints and (shocking!) encourages the kids to think! Scary for some educators, I'm sure. However, for those who wish to encourage kids to think and ponder and love history, this is the series to use. She also includes many excerpts from actual historical documents (a diary excerpt from one of Columbus' men, for example).There are teaching guides you can purchase which have some ideas for extra activities although they are not necessary for using the program with ease. The books do that on their own.

If you interested in history and like the details that make it real and fascinating--this series is for you. I teach history and these books go above and beyond my textbooks to provide the additional facts that make a person or event so interest or relevant. Highly recommend!!!!!!! A must for history buffs and teachers plus these books are easy reading and loaded with pictures.

This book is from a series of books written by Joy Hakim. The entire series is very well written. I used the books to teach my children eighth grade history. The books are in depth and accurate, and they share a lot of interesting side notes to keep the reader's attention. There are also pictures, maps, and copies of original documents though out each book in the series. I highly recommend the use of this book for sixth grade and up.

I'm an old man, and this book is for middle school students, but I loved it. It is a nice summary of a period in US history that many people don't know much about. It is written in an interesting format, and is a nice summary of that period.

I recently purchased a couple of the Joy Hakim, "A History of Us" textbooks to help my 8th grader study for an Academic Decathlon. My daughter learned so much and enjoyed them so much that I ordered several more, which she is gobbling up. She says they read like a novel and make history very interesting and easy to remember. I will be ordering the rest of the series. P.S. My daughter won the Academic Decathlon. Thanks Ms. Hakim!!!

I now have 5 of these books and use them as part of history lessons in class. The stories bring history alive and relate the human side of history so my students become more engaged. I recommend the series to any teacher of US History.

This book and all others helps anyone at any age understand US History in simpilest terms. The book is written so that history is interesting to all readers. Well written.

These books are incredibly interesting. My 7 year old regularly requests them for bed time reading.