Stars and Stripes: The Story of the American Flag
Grade 2-4-With an endnote that debunks the Betsy Ross story, this tribute to the "Stars  and Stripes" traces the history of our current national banner and shows the changes it underwent  during various times in our political past. Beginning with the pre-Revolutionary "Sons of  Liberty" flag and concluding with the flags flown after 9/11, Thomson's concise yet clear  explanations provide interesting background information and clarify misconceptions about Old  Glory. Chronologically arranged, the text is straightforward, easy to follow, and supplemented by  a page of notes that adds important details about specific flags. The full-page acrylic spreads  provide appropriate backgrounds for the featured banners. For instance, when discussing the  stars, stripes, and Union Jack that combined to make the first Revolutionary War standard, the  painting features George Washington astride his horse watching two Colonials raising the flag  near his army's camp. A later page that tells of the Continental Congress's attempts at choosing  a final form for the flag is illustrated with pieces of fabric, thread, and other sewing  materials poised for their assembly into the "Stars and Stripes." Each painting is filled with  movement, vivid colors, and realistic details. Much simpler and for a younger audience than  either Leonard Everett Fisher's Stars and Stripes: Our National Flag (Holiday, 1993; o.p.) or  Dennis Brindell Fradin's The Flag of the United States (Children's, 1988; o.p.), this is a solid  choice for introducing the history of both our flag and our country. Pair it with Peter Spier's  classic rendition in The Star-Spangled Banner (Yearling, 1992) for a 21-gun patriotic salute.Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RICopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.