Secrets of American History: Monuments and Landmarks by Laurie Calkhoven - ADVISABLE

Secrets of American History: Monuments and Landmarks by Laurie Calkhoven, illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti.  EARLY READER  Simon Spotlight, 2018. $18.  9781534429253  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

This book explains how the 1920’s created a building boom that gave America some of it’s most noticeable landmarks and monuments.  Then three different buildings/monuments that have secret rooms are discussed including the Chrysler building, Mount Rushmore and Grand Central train station in New York.  A little history is explained for each hidden room and it’s use.  At the end of the book there are 3-4 other unknown facts about other monuments.  

I enjoyed the simple explanation of the time period surrounding the building boom as well as the fun trivia about these well known places.  The illustrations are bright and attractive, and the facts are interesting.  For a first-time reader this has a lot of text and information so it’s best for a 1^st or 2^nd grader.  

C. Peterson