Why was the United States part of building a canal in Panama, far south of the U.S. southern border? What was the purpose of this canal? How long did it take to build? These questions are concisely answered in this essential review of the Panama Canal. Low reading level text allows even struggling readers to understand the most important points of the canal's creation. Incredible photographs of construction from the early 1900s add to the educational experience. This book supports knowledge building, a key component in the science of reading.