I was looking forward to sharing this book with my kids (6-9). However, I was horrified to discover that on page 13, the kids (who are spending the night in a back yard tent) decide to sneak out and go on a night hike along a local lake. There is a discussion among the kids as to whether they should ask their parents' permission. They decide not to ask; the more responsible kids buckle under peer pressure such as: "Since none of our parents said anything about a hike, we don't know whether they would mind or not," and, "Your parents have gone to sleep and they'll never have to know about it" (both quotations from page 14).I don't care how cleverly American history is presented in this book. These days it is extremely irresponsible to begin a book with an example of kids doing something so foolish and dangerous --- and with positive, exciting consequences, too --- oh, brother.