K is for Keystone: A Pennsylvania Alphabet

Title: K is for Keystone: A Pennsylvania Alphabet

Author: Kristen Kane

Genre: Alphabet Books and Poetry (Historical)

Summary: Each page was dedicated to one letter of the alphabet. On the side of each page, there was a paragraph or two of some historical background about each word for every individual letter. Each piece of history was directly connected to Pennsylvania. Also, each letter rhymed.

A-Amish                                             K-Keystone State

B-Bill Cosby                                       R-Rails-to-trails

C-Caves/coal mines                             S-State ship

D-White tail deer                                T-Titusville

E-Easton                                             U-Underground Railroad

F-Falling water                                    V-Valley Forge

G-Gettysburg                                      W-Williamsport

H-Harrisburg                                       X-Marks the spot-“City of Brotherly Love” (PA’s largest)

I-Inventions                                        Y-Yellow and blue

J-James Buchanan                               Z-Zoo

K-Keystone State

L-Liberty Bell

M-Milton Hershey

N-Native Americans

O-Ore

P-Punxsutawney Phil

*Quiz at the end of the book*

Characters: N/A

Setting: Pennsylvania

Plot/Theme: learning the alphabet and learning history at the same time

Opinion: I thought this was a decent book for a history lesson to older children. It would be too much information to retain for younger aged children. The historical paragraphs would be helpful to teach a class, but some of them were too long. Also, this would really only be helpful in history if you’re in Pennsylvania or teaching specifically about it.