The most effective vehicle for fostering a love of history in children is the use of historical novels. There are many excellent children's novels of American history, some quite simple and ideal for younger or less proficient readers. Since children tend to form a generalized picture of life and of people in a given era, they should be introduced to as wide a spectrum as possible through their own as well as the teacher's reading. Two books presenting contrasting views of the American colonial rebellion against England's George III are "Fair Wind to Virginia," by Cornelia Meigs, set in the Colonies and "The Reb and the Redcoat," by Constance Savery, which takes place in England. "Touchmar," by Mildred Lawrence, speaks of the lives of young girls during the 1770s, and particularly of girls who wished to have careers. Enid Meadowcroft's story "Silver for General Washington" tells of the training of Washington's troops at Valley Forge. In "Rebel Siege," Jim Kjelgaard portrays the fiercely independent frontiersmen of the southern colonies during the Revolution. Finally, "Johnny Tremain," by Esther Forbes, while difficult for all but the most accomplished fifth graders to read on their own, enthralls every child because it delineates many historical figures, such as Paul Revere and Joseph Warren, and gives children a clear concept of what being American really means. (A list of novels with Revolutionary War settings is appended.) (HTH)