National Geographic Readers

March 15, 2020
Grades 2-4 Through its slim trim and glossy page design, the National Geographic Readers series (6 new titles) works to engage readers of varying levels. Harriet Tubman, a level-2 reader, is more advanced; built for kids reading independently with occasional help from adults, this volume bulks up the back matter and introduces new features. It takes a narrative approach, offering background on Harriet Tubman, her escape from slavery, and her work on the Underground Railroad in more complex sentences. Sidebars contain definitions for vocabulary words, fast facts, and quotes from Tubman herself, while an ending quiz, a time line, and a picture glossary conclude the volume. Reliable in format and solid in execution, this series works well to introduce children of varying levels of reading comfort to nonfiction and research formats.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)