If you've never read a Genevieve Foster book, then you're in for a treat. This books are really amazing. Foster has this unique approach of teaching history horizontally - not just focusing on one character in one location, but looking at all the events and characters of a particular time period all over the world, and examining how they are all interconnected. So, when studying this time period, Foster weaves a story of the world around her central character; including stories of scientific discovery and invention, music, literature, art, and religion. Foster brings to life the dawn of the 19th century with all its exciting advancements in transportation, communication, and technology. Your readers will learn about Napoleon, Jefferson, Livingston, Robert Fulton, Beethoven, Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea, Dolley Madison and much more. Foster's use of "horizontal history", weaves these stories together in her own signature style. Beautifully illustrated with line drawings and detailed timelines, this book is a wonderful resource. We are not allowed to discount these books. This book is an excellent resource for any study of early American history. Written for grades 4-8, but with appeal to a wide age range.