Massachusetts (Hello USA)

Introduces the state's geography, history, environmental issues, interesting sights, and how the people work and live

Grade 3-5-This revision of the 1994 edition includes words and music for the state song, a recipe for Nestl Toll House cookies, a list of four Web sites, and an additional map. The concluding section on the efforts to clean up Boston Harbor has been updated, as have population statistics. The page size has been enlarged, allowing the use of a larger typeface, and the text is no longer presented in two-column pages. Matt Damon, Ted Williams, and Abigail Adams have been added to the list of "Outstanding Massachusettans." The time line has been reformatted and expanded; in fact, it lists several events that are not explained or even mentioned in the text. All of the "Annual Events" listed are centered around Boston and Cape Cod; the western part of the state is not represented. The Pilgrims are discussed without specific names (William Bradford, Miles Standish, etc.), although John Winthrop is mentioned with the Puritans' arrival. The American Revolution is covered with no mention of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, or Bunker Hill. John Adams and John Quincy Adams are mentioned; neither appears in the index. There is no information about state government. Overall, there is less information here than that found in any basic encyclopedia. Dennis Fradin's Massachusetts (Children's, 1991) is aimed at the same audience, provides a little more information, but is somewhat dated.
Elaine Fort Weischedel, Franklin Public Library, MA
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