"The Six Questions of American History series investigates events in our nation's past in the same way a journalist might--through the framework of who, what, when, where, why, and how. As a result, readers uncover the past rather than memorize it. Plentiful photos and maps, as well as supplementary material--presented on ripped-out notebook pages in lieu of text boxes--makes for a highly readable format. (Also used less successfully as information devices are the immediately dated images of cell phones and GPS.) How Many People Traveled the Oregon Trail? follows trappers, traders, and those spreading Christianity as they made the difficult journey west in the 1820-40s; the numbers petered out in the 1870s with the advent of the Transcontinental Railroad. What Are the Articles of Confederation? details the process undertaken by our forefathers to unify newly independent America, particularly as they hammered out the Articles over 16 months, beginning in 1776. Who Were the Accused Witches of Salem? delves into the ever-fascinating world of 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, when witch hysteria led to accusations, trials, and hangings. Back matter here is superb: each title includes a primary-source document (e.

g., 'Notes from Thomas Jefferson'), as well as an activity (e.g., 'Imagine that you are a reporter at one of the witch trials'), time line, source notes, and bibliography, plus further reading and websites." --Booklist.