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A Place Called America: A Story of the Land and People
Through the lens of the land that has come to be known as America, award-winning picture book creator Jennifer Thermes captures centuries of history.
A Place Called America takes the long view of the land’s history, from its earliest formation and inhabitants up through today, and challenges its readers to think critically about the stories we tend to take for granted about our own history. Meet those indigenous to the deserts, prairies, forests, and shores of the land called Turtle Island and their relatives whose ideas formed the basis of the Constitution and who contributed in unique ways to World War II and more. Meet immigrant communities who came to the land from all around the world—at different times and against all odds, even with staunch United States immigration policies. And meet enslaved ancestors who were brought to the land against their will and whose labor and experience changed the story forever.
Expert picture book maker Jennifer Thermes deftly weaves the threads of these communities’ narratives together, giving each the spotlight they deserve and using the land itself as a unifying lens. Illustrated with colorful, dazzling maps, A Place Called America is a visual delight. It is an info-packed read, with sidebars, an author’s note, and a timeline supplementing the accessible text.
A Place Called America takes the long view of the land’s history, from its earliest formation and inhabitants up through today, and challenges its readers to think critically about the stories we tend to take for granted about our own history. Meet those indigenous to the deserts, prairies, forests, and shores of the land called Turtle Island and their relatives whose ideas formed the basis of the Constitution and who contributed in unique ways to World War II and more. Meet immigrant communities who came to the land from all around the world—at different times and against all odds, even with staunch United States immigration policies. And meet enslaved ancestors who were brought to the land against their will and whose labor and experience changed the story forever.
Expert picture book maker Jennifer Thermes deftly weaves the threads of these communities’ narratives together, giving each the spotlight they deserve and using the land itself as a unifying lens. Illustrated with colorful, dazzling maps, A Place Called America is a visual delight. It is an info-packed read, with sidebars, an author’s note, and a timeline supplementing the accessible text.
64 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2023
About the author
Jennifer Thermes
17 books39 followersJENNIFER THERMES is an award-winning children’s book author-illustrator and map illustrator. Her nonfiction picture book The Indestructible Tom Crean recently received the Bank Street College of Education’s 2024 Flora Stieglitz Straus Award in the Younger Reader category and is an ALSC Notable Children’s Book. Both Tom Crean and her book A Place Called America were named to the Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2023 list. She also creates black & white maps for middle-grade and young adult novels including the bestselling Vanderbeekers series. Jennifer is fascinated by big-picture ideas that span history, adventure, and the natural world, and weaves maps throughout her stories to explore new places and visualize how the past connects to our lives today.
To learn more please visit www.jenniferthermes.com, @jenthermes on Twitter and @jenniferthermes on Instagram.
To learn more please visit www.jenniferthermes.com, @jenthermes on Twitter and @jenniferthermes on Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 17, 2023
A nonfiction picture book that does not sugar coat the history of this land… so given the current educational climate, I don’t doubt it won’t be long before this book is banned in school and libraries.
September 25, 2023
Outstanding . . . TRUTH
December 20, 2023
This book tells the story ofs the many people who populated America. It is filled with gorgeous maps and illustrations that help tell the story of how the country was populated. In age appropriate ways, it shows how America often fell short of the ideals that it was founded upon. I wish there was a bit more celebration of America's goodness, showing why America continues to be such a bright light for many of the world's people who choose to settle here.
August 25, 2023
A straight-forward history of America that does not shy away from the dark parts. With a very matter-of-fact voice, Thermes confronts all the parts of what made America what it is now - including the violence against Indigenous people, the Japanese Internment and overall discrimination against Asian immigrants, and slavery and Jim Crow laws. This will probably make certain people mad, but this is an accurate and informative overview of the country written for young readers.
November 28, 2023
I think this book does a good job of giving a true account of our evolution as a nation. I was surprised to learn that the United States turned away a boat of Jews trying to escape Europe during WWII. Can you imagine being sent back to Europe after being refused safety in Cuba, the United States and also Canada? Other miseries such as this are documented in this book. It can be quite depressing, but the questions and thoughts it inspires will help us seek a better and more just future.
August 31, 2023
Great book about the history of America and especially informative for children in upper grade school and junior high!
April 27, 2024
To sum up centuries of history in a complete way that fits in the pages of a single book is an impossible task. In this book, Thermes uses the changing maps of the United States over time to tell this story. She has chosen to highlight the movement of people as a driver of how the maps have changed, and of course the movement of people in the United States means addressing forced removal, forced migration, and the stories of immigrants from all over the world.
Thermes' approach is an interesting take when the "traditional" story is very sunshine and rainbows and sparkles and heroics. By contrast, this is drily factual, with wildly nostalgic illustrations (they reminded me strongly of those by Lois Lenski from the Betsy-Tacy books). I found myself less depressed after reading this; rather I felt prickly over people who only want a polished, unrealistic, versions of history. The stories we tell ourselves matter, and the stories in this book are important. I'm also reminded of the quote from Why You Should Read Children's Books...: "Children's books are specifically written to be read by a section of society without political or economic power." Meaning that the stories in this book are not unfamiliar to children, even if they do not know them specifically.
This book offers a reminder that ignoring the flaws behind a facade doesn't make them disappear, but shining a light on mistakes enables us to change.
Thermes' approach is an interesting take when the "traditional" story is very sunshine and rainbows and sparkles and heroics. By contrast, this is drily factual, with wildly nostalgic illustrations (they reminded me strongly of those by Lois Lenski from the Betsy-Tacy books). I found myself less depressed after reading this; rather I felt prickly over people who only want a polished, unrealistic, versions of history. The stories we tell ourselves matter, and the stories in this book are important. I'm also reminded of the quote from Why You Should Read Children's Books...: "Children's books are specifically written to be read by a section of society without political or economic power." Meaning that the stories in this book are not unfamiliar to children, even if they do not know them specifically.
This book offers a reminder that ignoring the flaws behind a facade doesn't make them disappear, but shining a light on mistakes enables us to change.
October 25, 2023
Starting circa 15,000 years ago, each spread has a time period or year on a banner at the top, indicating which time period is being discussed. Most of the spreads also include a map to help illustrate settlements and movement. Sometimes a century at a time, sometimes a decade, sometimes one year only, each spread shares some important information about how people at that time moved to or around the land we now call the United States of America. This book is not about specific people or the contributions of Americans to the world. It is instead about the people who were here, both indigenous people and immigrants, during different periods of time, and how they treated each other and newcomers. I think the author does a good job sharing the ideals of our country while also not shying away from how we have not lived up to those ideals in many ways throughout our history. I love the maps, but think the other illustrations do not have much kid appeal. At about 55 (unnumbered) pages, a larger-than-typical trim size, and 2-5 paragraphs of text on most spreads, this book touches on a lot of eras and broad movements. The front and back endpapers contain a timeline with over 150 events listed. The end notes include an afterward, mostly about maps, and select sources. This is for those kids enthralled w history but may not be ready for chapter books yet, or a student who wants/needs a good overview of how America got to look like it does today.
October 14, 2023
I am all for truth in history. Talking about the dark side and unflattering part of the History of the United States is very important, but I felt like this book super negative. All the bad things that have happened in the history of the US. Slavery, cruelty and unfairness to native Americans, racism, all wrong all should be talked about, but man, when I finished this book I was so depressed!
The United States of America and it people have one a lot of good positive things, cures for polio, electricity, first in flight lights... We are not perfect, FOR SURE, but all this book did was made me ashamed to be an American, and I have so many more reasons to be a proud American than not.
Disappointed... I wish we could must acknowledge past wrongs and from here on out, be kind... I know.. to dream!
I will give it 2.5 stars because I did like the pictures
The United States of America and it people have one a lot of good positive things, cures for polio, electricity, first in flight lights... We are not perfect, FOR SURE, but all this book did was made me ashamed to be an American, and I have so many more reasons to be a proud American than not.
Disappointed... I wish we could must acknowledge past wrongs and from here on out, be kind... I know.. to dream!
I will give it 2.5 stars because I did like the pictures
January 5, 2024
This is a sweeping long view of US history and a really great resource with lovely illustrations. My fourth grader and I spent awhile exploring different time periods together. The author does not shy away from what her book offers, making it clear on the end pages' timeline where she includes that “As of the writing of this book, Republican-controlled state legislatures around the United States are attempting to suppress voting rights and outlaw teaching history that addresses negative aspects of the country’s past.” This book doesn't shy away these aspects.
April 26, 2024
The worst history book for children I have ever read. Have you ever met a really bitter and cynical person who can never find anything positive to say about anyone? Even if you find something positive in their life, they will qualify it with a negative. Now imagine this person wrote a history of anything … for kids. If you’re looking for woke history that cannot find anything positive in the United States’ 300+ years of existence, this book is perfect for you.
July 15, 2024
Loved the artwork and the maps. The focus of the text on immigration, discrimination, and how many American ideals weren't met wasn't what I was expecting. I found it depressing to read. Also, I think it needs to be said that knowing something is right and doing it are two different things, and yes, America as a country has been slow to do what is right at times, but does it help to focus on so many of the mistakes?
October 30, 2023
This is an engaging and inclusive timeline of America -- the place, the people, and how we got to where we are. This is a jumping off point, but the commitment to inclusive truth offers a more anti-racist understanding of United States history with an optimistic tone for the future. The illustrations are nice and light and engaging -- in classrooms, kids will pore over this book.
January 20, 2024
This is the bestest greatest geography book I have ever read. It stated the facts, the crimes, and the injustice of colonization and oppression. I think everybody should read this book, its a book for the people and needs to be read by every single u.s.american.
Want to read
April 15, 2023Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
August 15, 2023
This is a Fascinating book about our country , the events that shaped our country & its people .
September 28, 2023
Informational picture book that tells the stories of all of the people.
November 16, 2023
We desperately needed this book to be written.
January 28, 2024
Wow—history through a more inclusive lens. Every episode has details about where we failed in “our” American ideals.
November 24, 2024
I normally don't include picture books on my Goodreads but this one was so extraordinary I just had to!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews