Publisher Description

Throughout the 1850s, the issues of slavery and states' rights had divided the nation. With the election of 1860, these issues finally came to a head, setting the stage for the American Civil War. Compelling, action-packed text, vivid sensory details, and primary source quotes bring the story to life so that readers feel as if they were actually alive during the historical event.

Author Biography

Jessica Gunderson grew up in the small town of Washburn, North Dakota. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota and an MFA in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has written more than one hundred books for young readers. Her book President Lincoln's Killer and the America He Left Behind won a 2018 Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Silver Award. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

The boiling point -- Conventions and surprises -- Meet the candidates -- Campaigning for the vote -- Victory and death.

Review

Using concise wording and illustrations that include archival photos and artwork, maps, and charts, Gunderson explains the contentious topic of the day (slavery), before introducing the candidates trying to win their way into the White House. . . .Certain aspects of the election process will be familiar to readers, such as political conventions, while others prove vastly different from the way things are done today, namely campaigning, which was conducted by a candidate's supporters rather than the candidate himself. A glossary and critical-thinking questions round out this informative, accessible look at a pivotal election in U.S. history.-- "Booklist"

Review Quote

Using concise wording and illustrations that include archival photos and artwork, maps, and charts, Gunderson explains the contentious topic of the day (slavery), before introducing the candidates trying to win their way into the White House. . . .Certain aspects of the election process will be familiar to readers, such as political conventions, while others prove vastly different from the way things are done today, namely campaigning, which was conducted by a candidate's supporters rather than the candidate himself. A glossary and critical-thinking questions round out this informative, accessible look at a pivotal election in U.S. history.

Promotional "Headline"

This set is specifically crafted to meet Common Core State Standards. Each set contains three nonfiction titles paired with one fiction title. Each nonfiction title looks at the topic of presidential elections through various text types--chronology, primary sources, infographics. In addition, because each of these titles covers the same topic, educators will easily be able to instruct students on integrating information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably. Includes statistics, charts, tables, and graphs. Also includes fact boxes, glossary, critical thinking questions, read more, and index.

Feature

Activities, Bolded Glossary Words, Caption(s), Chart(s)/Table(s), Discussion Questions, Glossary, Heading(s)/Subheading(s), Index, Insert Photo(s)/Graphic(s), Map(s), More Resources/Suggestions for Further Reading, Photograph(s), Primary Sources, Pronunciation Guide, Sidebar(s), Table of Contents, Timeline(s), Writing Prompts

Details