The Reconstruction of the South after the Civil War in United States History

Reviewed by: Ann Marie Townsend - South Berwick Public Library, South Berwick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 8, 2016

Review

Originally published in 1999 as "Reconstruction following the Civil War in American History". The is age appropriate for grades 5 & up, written in 9 chapters, includes a Timeline, Chapter notes, Further reading, and Index. It is well written and articulated so children will understand. A complex subject,this focuses on the historical highlights to be a good introduction of the subject and also can be used to explain the origins of the current race issues and some of the things that have caused them to continue including "Jim Crow". The timeline ends with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but text includes the 1998 murder of James Byrd, Jr., in Jasper, Texas to show that the violence has not stopped. Useful to begin a discussion on race in the United States. Recommended.

Overall Book Score: very good