The American Adventure Series published by Barbour

Titles: over 40 in series, e.g., #1 Mayflower Adventure, #8 Maggie's Choice, #12 American Victory

Authors: various, Colleen Reece, Norma Jean Lutz

JoAnn Grote, etc.

Rating: "D" (0 stars out of 3 possible)

Not Recommended

Audience: 8-12 year olds

These are christianized historical fiction from the 1990s for elementary students that unfortunately "tell" instead of "show" readers what to think and how to feel about the subjects and characters encountered. The plots feel contrived, unrealistic and saccharin and it seems the authors do not trust the readers to come to the "right" conclusions about history, so our hands are held (and forced) all the way.

In one sense they are harmless enough, but because they seem to be lacking in intellectual challenge and not extensively researched I would not recommend this series to my 4th grader unless we could find nothing better on the market. In fact, I think they are no longer on the market except as a repackaged "Sisters in Time" series from 2005.

In preparation for this review I read two titles: #8 Maggie's Choice by Norma Jean Lutz and #12 American Victory by JoAnn A. Grote. If the preceding paragraphs aren't specific enough for you, I'll provide more critical details below.

Maggie's Choice takes place in the 1740's during the time of The Great Awakening and also touches on the issue of slavery. I found some details not accurate to the time period (an upper class aristocrat would not encourage 12 year old girls to call her by her first name), as well as poor transitions and weak dialogue. (Again, "telling" instead of "showing.") Plot twists seemed contrived: Maggie's father has wealth because a step-grandfather deeded him a house and money "by a strange twist of fate." (Also not a common practice of the time.) Finally, simplistic faith conversions cast doubt on the legitimacy of the history: "My brother took Ann and me to a revival meeting last week. And now I know God loves me and Jesus died to take away my sins." True, faith was simpler in those times, but could the author be a little less obvious?

The American Victory was somewhat better. Taking place at the end of the Revolutionary War, one of the main characters states "God has been with us, helping us in this war. He gave us a great military leader in George Washington." Fair enough. The book provides a decent history of Cornwallis's ill-fated retreat and surrender and again credits "the Lord's help." Fair enough, although I think Cornwallis should take at least some of the blame. Finally, a quote: "Kings have too much power. The only king we want in America is King Jesus!" I doubt many colonists embraced such a statement.

I'm not looking for politically correct, revisionist history for my kids, either, but I would like something that is more balanced. I would recommend Jean Fritz' histories (And then What Happened, Paul Revere? What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?), David Adler biographies or even the American Girls over this series. Perhaps if our kids also read a more liberal version (Don't Know Much about History by Kenneth C. Davis) they could come to their own less biased understanding of history.

Historical fiction has pitfalls. In an effort to make history interesting and keep younger readers engaged, authenticity may be sacrificed. I purchased a small collection of children's biographies a few years ago (Childhood of Famous Americans), but I'm hoping my 5th grader will be ready for David McCullough soon!

Junie B. Jones Series

Titles: Junie B. Jones

Junie B. Jones, First Grader

(27 books in all, plus The Essential Survival Guide to School)

Author: Barbara Park

Rating: * (1 star out of 3 possible, "C")

Recommended with Reservations

Audience: 5-7 year-old girls

Most parents probably have a love/hate relationship with Junie B. Jones. Barbara Park was influenced by Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby, but Junie B. falls rather short of comparison for several reasons.

First of all, the plots are simple and singular. The reader really is not going to learn a lot about life in the real world from Junie B. Consequently, the reader will probably not identify very strongly with her, either. We will laugh along with some of her predicaments and her faux pas, but she will not really stick with us or influence us to any great degree.

Additionally, she is a pretty one-dimensional character. She tends to entertain us with one humorous line after another, but she doesn't spend much time in introspection or maturation. Along these lines, many parents will be disappointed with her language and behavior. She tends to be sassy and mischievous without a lot of the redeeming qualities (creativity, imagination, remorse, personal growth) one finds in a Ramona character.

However, on the positive side, she can engage kids with her antics, and they are, for the most part, harmless. Also, her books are short enough for shorter attention spans. So if you are having trouble finding books your 5 or 6 year old likes, this may be an option for you. As with so much of our pop culture, a little dab will do you. It's reasonable for kids to enjoy this along with their Garfield comics, as long as parents continue to supplement with the really good stuff! Of course, some families will choose to pass on these, and they won't be missing much.

Beverly Cleary

Henry Books: Henry Huggins; Henry & Ribsy; Henry & Beezus; Henry & the Clubhouse; Henry & the Paper Route; Ribsy

Ramona Books: Beezus & Ramona; Ramona the Pest; Ramona & her Father; Ramona & her Mother; Ramona Quimby, Age 8; Ramona Forever; Ramona's World

Rating: *** (3 stars out of 3 possible, "A")

Highly Recommended

Audience: K-5th Grade

Writing in the 1950s, Beverly Cleary was one of the first post WW-II children's writers to understand modern kids and modern childhood. While you may find an occasional long chapter or slow event, her characters and plots are standing the test of time. Parents who want their families to slow down, find good role models and share real-life stories and laughs must not overlook these series!

Henry Huggins was the first book Cleary wrote, specifically thinking of the boys who would come to her Yakima, WA public library looking for stories to which they could relate. What third-grader doesn't wish for a dog, not to mention hundreds of guppies in mason jars all over their bedroom? Henry's adventures with Ribsy continue and in later books we find Henry delivering newspapers and building a clubhouse. Through it all he has to navigate growing up in his busy Portland neighborhood. Henry works hard and saves his money for all the important things of childhood (footballs, bikes, sleeping bags) and he learns to think his way out of exasperating situations with Scooter, Ramona and Ribsy. He shows that boys need the freedom to pursue their projects and goals, resulting maturity and responsibility.

The "Ramona" books grew out of the Henry books. Ramona starts out as a 4-year old in Ramona and Beezus, but is probably best known as a Kindergartner in Ramona the Pest. Far from being a disobedient troublemaker, Ramona is simply a creative and energetic 5-year old. I've had one friend ask if she wasn't perhaps a poor example for children, but in fact the opposite is true. Ramona is a real person who experiences real 5-year old feelings and real 5-year old troubles. She certainly does not get away with disobedience, but is disciplined with patience, natural consequences, and occasionally stern reprimands. If you've ever had to discipline a child while laughing inside at some pretty funny situations, you've had some experience with a Ramona. I've learned a lot of parenting skills reading these books and often wish I could be as wise and patient as Mrs. Quimby or Mrs. Huggins.

These are characters who eat oatmeal, do chores, learn about the family budget, deal with family squabbles and small disappointments, solve problems creatively, make their own fun and even pray and go to Sunday School. I can hardly think of better way to influence our families than to laugh along together through these stories. I like to start Ramona the Pest when my girls are heading off to Kindergarten. Henry Huggins can be started as early as first grade, because all boys like to imagine themselves a little older than they are! Also, there is some dated language ("swell," "keen," "jeepers"), so you want to hook your kids on these books before they start to think they're too old for them! Older siblings will relate well to Beezus' challenges with Ramona in Beezus and Ramona. Younger siblings of course will relate to Ramona, and parents will relate to it all! The vocabulary is appropriate and challenging as well. The 2010 movie Ramona and Beezus is a well-done send up of several books combined.

Beverly Cleary continued to write for kids with her Mouse and the Motorcycle three-book series, Ellen Tebbits, Emily's Runaway Imagination, Otis Spoffod, Socks, Strider and others. While no character is quite as memorable as Ramona or Henry, her book, Dear Mr. Henshaw, about a 6-grade boy won the Newbery Medal. Ramona and Her Father and Ramona Quimby, Age 8 were Newbery Honor books. If you would like to know more about Cleary herself and her writing ideas, she has two memoirs: A Girl from Yamhill and My Own Two Feet.

There are several newer series that offer updated characters similar to Ramona, such as Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones. Judy Moody's author Megan McDonald admits she was inspired by Beverly Cleary. Look for me to review those series at some point, but expect lower marks for language, vocabulary, plot and character development. Ramona and Henry were the first and likely will remain the best!