Uncle Sam's America

by David Hewitt, Kathryn Hewitt (Illustrator)

In a patriotic look at American history, readers can follow Uncle Sam, our national icon, as he rallied the country in the War of 1812, welcomed immigrants at the turn of the century, gave hope to Americans during the Great Depression, and helped the people of our country fulfill their dreams and create a better nation.

Genres: Picture Books, History

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 3, 2008

Reviews

[Michelle Doerr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book at daycare today and I must admit I chose a book that is not intended for a young audience. I would say this book is for the higher end of primary readers and for intermediate readers. I like the theme of this book, about how Uncle Sam is an icon in America, but I do not like everything about it. I categorize this story as historical fiction because all of the history mentioned is not exactly how things happened. I do like how lots of other historical figures are mentioned in the book such as Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King. The pictures in the story are really filled with detail and creative! I think they are an awesome secondary source of history to show young children to help them understand how the world and society was different then. This story can be used to get the overall concept of Uncle Sam across. Also, it is a good timeline to show extremely important events in history, however, it should be known that Uncle Sam's boldness and compassion was not the reason things happened the way they did like it is portrayed.

[Kristy Mcghee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book mortalizes Uncle Sam, which is a fictional character. The accounts in the book are not accurately based. One part in particular is when Uncle Sam says to Martin Luther King that no one should be judged by the color of their skin and he said lets make sure everyone can vote. Now we all know it didn't quite go like that. It undermines the difficulties the sacrifices and tragedies people faced to get the simple right to vote. It can be used positively but not to teach with in and of itself.