THE AWESOME 50 STATES

A plethora of facts about the U.S. states and territories for young information browsers and trivia surfers.

The highly visual, energetic layout of this guide keeps a dense mix of photos, graphics, and typefaces clear and accessible and packs in plenty of information about curious state-specific phenomena. Each state’s four-page section spotlights, among other things, a map silhouette, a dessert, a state food, a ride (most often in an amusement park), and some state facts (including bird, nickname, and date of statehood). Flags are not included. Also included are facts labeled the “Oldest in America” (mostly European settlements and structures) and “Spookiest Spot.” “Horrifying History” features natural disasters, accidents, war, and violent human tragedies. Mostly missing are scientific inventions and discoveries—other than geological or paleontological—as well as celebration of racial diversity (Chinese and African Americans are mentioned in the context of tragic massacres). While many state names originate from Indigenous languages, this is not consistently acknowledged. More troubling is the casual positioning of Indian names as humor—Kickapoo, Louisiana, for instance, is presented as a “Funniest Town Name”—or worse. Slaughter Beach, Delaware, is given the same label, followed by an explanation that it may refer to the killing of Native residents. The 9-foot statue of Duke Kahanamoku in Waikiki is given as Hawaii’s “Weirdest Roadside Attraction.”

Visually attractive but incomplete and weakened by cultural insensitivity.