The Afghanistan War

April 1, 2015

Gr 4-8-This set takes a look at various U.S. wars and conflicts. Each title begins with a description of a real-life battle, going on to examine the beginning of the conflict and detailing political, social, and military aspects, as well as causes and outcomes of each. Though the writing is on the stiff side, the presentation is straightforward and free of bias. The books present examples where the United States showed heroism as well as its mistakes. Vietnam War, for example, discusses how the decision to order air strikes on Laos and Cambodia in order to destroy Vietcong camps led to death in these neutral countries. Occasional "Another View" sidebars encourage empathy and critical thinking, asking readers to consider an issue from different perspectives, such as that of the president or an enemy combatant. VERDICT Useful additions.

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2015
Grades 3-6 Enough time has passed since the start of the Afghanistan War that some of its initial impact can be considered through the lens of history. In clear sentences interspersed with full-color photos, Winter offers a straightforward explanation of the major events of the conflict in this volume of the Wars in U.S. History series. Though the book does not delve into the myriad complexities of the region's history, economic and social challenges facing the current regime of the country are explored, emphasizing the arduous quest for stability in the region. The Another View feature in the sidebars encourages readers to empathize with others who play a role in the events. Winter wisely suspends a final assessment of the war until its ramifications have fully played out. Students eager to learn about this newsworthy topic will find plenty to ponder here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)