Gr 3-6
The titles in this ibook series describe historical events in graphic novel format. The California Gold Rush by Joe Dunn (ABDO, 2007) provides brief, but accurate information about the events leading up to and immediately following the discovery of gold in California in 1849. The CD-ROM moves the book experience directly to the computer with only a few added features. Students can choose to have the narration turned on or off. If the book is read to users, the pages progress automatically (although they can be stopped or skipped over by using the arrows and stop button). Words or dialogue panels are highlighted in color as the text is read aloud. Each "page" is simply a picture of a page from the book (text and graphics); readers can click on a forward or back arrow to move through the pages. The narrator is adequate, but adds little emotion or interest to the text. The map, glossary, list of related Web sites, and index are well organized, but provide no interactivity. A brief multiple choice quiz is provided, and a monotone voice announces "Good job" for correct responses. Where graphic novels are popular, this might be of interest to reluctant readers. Otherwise, the print edition will serve the same purpose.-Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT
