Books of Wonder

A Place Called America: A Story of the Land and People

A Place Called America: A Story of the Land and People - Main image
$16.78 $22.99 In stock

Category: Middle Grade (8–12)

Through the lens of the land that has come to be known as America, award-winning picture book creator Jennifer Thermes captures centuries of history.

A Place Called America takes the long view of the land’s history, from its earliest formation and inhabitants up through today, and challenges its readers to think critically about the stories we tend to take for granted about our own history. Meet those indigenous to the deserts, prairies, forests, and shores of the land called Turtle Island and their relatives whose ideas formed the basis of the Constitution and who contributed in unique ways to World War II and more. Meet immigrant communities who came to the land from all around the world—at different times and against all odds, even with staunch United States immigration policies. And meet enslaved ancestors who were brought to the land against their will and whose labor and experience changed the story forever.

Expert picture book maker Jennifer Thermes deftly weaves the threads of these communities’ narratives together, giving each the spotlight they deserve and using the land itself as a unifying lens. Illustrated with colorful, dazzling maps, A Place Called America is a visual delight. It is an info-packed read, with sidebars, an author’s note, and a timeline supplementing the accessible text.
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Customer Reviews (5.0 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Ryan ★★★★★

The sweeping timeline format really helps my 8-year-old grasp how much history happened on the same ground we walk today. The double-page spreads with the layered maps kept her pointing out details for a full hour, and I found myself learning right alongside her.

Ellie ★★★★★

My kids are 9 and 11, and this is the first history book that actually held their attention from cover to cover. The way it weaves the land itself into the story of the people who lived on it feels so fresh and thoughtful. We've already read it twice.

Nicholas T. ★★★★★

The way this book traces how the land itself shaped people's lives over centuries, not just famous events, really clicked with my 10-year-old. We actually paused to look up the maps of old rivers and borders while reading together. It's the kind of history that makes you see your own town differentl