This volume is book 5 in a 10 part series on U.S. history for children. The book tells the story of the Antebellum era--especially the story of children from a variety of backgrounds. Some of the characters depicted in this volume include Jedediah Smith, Davy Crockett, John Quincy Adams, Emily Dickinson, Sojourner Truth, John James Audubon, and Dred Scott. Topics included are the westward expansion of the United States, the growth of cities, industrialization, and slavery. The book contains photographs, drawings, maps, graphics, and cartoons that make the chapters understandable and entertaining. Additional resources include a chronology of events and a list of more books to read. The book, designed to support the upper elementary and secondary school social studies curriculum, contains an extensive index, in-depth bibliography of young adult literature, and descriptive chronology of historical events. (RJC)