America As It Happened: A Moment-by-Moment Journey through Time, from Prehistory to the Present Day. Matthew Taylor Wilson, Illus. Addl. Creator The Washington Post. What on Earth!, 03/2026. 191pp. Nonfiction. Trade $30.00. 978-1-80466-167-3. GRADES 4–8. ADDITIONAL.
This overview of the history of the United States is written in the style of a daily newspaper, featuring headlines, photos, drawings, and brief articles. Arranged by century, the text covers historical events and popular culture highlights as if they had just happened. The authors have been sensitive to inclusivity, integrating information about traditionally-highlighted individuals and events with articles on how Indigenous peoples were treated, and accomplishments by women, people of color, and others who were often marginalized by historians. Because the book covers so much, some topics and individuals have been left out, such as Fred Korematsu and Medgar Evers. This will be most useful as a browsing item to introduce a topic, with more in-depth books needed for report-writers. The inviting format will appeal to all ages, even adults, with a timeline that runs along the bottom of each page, maps, sidebars, and other informative entries.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool