My Fellow Americans: A Family Album

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic cliff notes for American historical figures
Review: I first picked this book up in a Fifth Grade observation and it just struck me as unique. I have used this book for fifth grade social studies. Each page is like a mini-mural with many details that will go unnoticed by the casual reader. I even painted a mural for the classroom based on one of the paintings in the book. The text is simple enough for low readers but the content and scope of the book makes it intriguing for advanced readers as well. I think this book would be a great reference for those taking a A.P history test. I really admire the folk art inspiration for Provenson's art.

Rating:
Summary: Pictures, but not the WHOLE picture
Review: Overall, this is an interesting book with "teasers" about various Americans designed to ignite young imaginations. However in several cases, the author shows a definite political bias by including "heroic" aspects while glossing over the ugly underside of some of these icons and vice versa. One example is Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, who Provensen extolls as a champion of women's rights --- yet she fails to mention that Sanger was motivated by belief in race purification and repeatedly preached "more children for the fit (meaning rich white people) and less for the unfit (blacks and others she deemed inferior.)" Sanger's works were used extensively by the Nazis in their own efforts to "rid the world" of the "unwanted." And FBI legend J. Edgar Hoover is listed under "Villains and Rogues" and his tagline reads "Ruled through use of propaganda and fear...encouraged illegal snooping...misused federal funds...kept secret files to manipulate politicians." But there is nothing about his attempts to end organized crime, efforts to keep America safe from enemies, etc.
Kids receive a likewise lopsided view of many Americans included in this book, which includes "expatriates", "scoundrels and theives", as well as mainstream heroes. Parents might also want to watch out for the occassional term that they might not want their kids repeating (example: quote from Al Capone about being "one of those goddamn radicals".)
My recommendation is if you do get this book, go over it with your children, do some research, and show them the whole picture rather than simply accepting these tiny snippets as gospel. Point out to kids that authors bring their own preconcieved notions and personal agendas to their work, and a good reader investigates rather than absorbs such opinions.