The Dusty Bookshelf discussion

As I picked this up from the library to read part of again, (No guarantee I'll read the entire book before it's due) I noticed that April is reading it too right now so thought I'd set up a discussion thread for it here.

How the States Got Their Shapes by Mark Stein

I'd picked this up a few years ago from the migrant library at Head Start. I only read a few states from the front of the book. I picked it up yesterday from the main public library in town. I had a question about Iowa to read about. See, I live in Nebraska and always thought that the Missouri river was the border between Nebraska and Iowa, so was confused when mapquest gave me directions to an office in Omaha and it said to drive through Iowa, but didn't have me cross the river. This is when I discovered about Carter Lake, and the tiny bit of Iowa that's on the west side of the Missouri River. So checked out this book to learn how that came to be.

Of course, while I have it, I'll start over again with the Introduction, Don't Skip This chapters and then pick states that interest me at random instead of reading straight through alphabetically. In my review of the book I'll keep track of which states I've read, in case I don't get the book finished before it's due again.

The kids are having fun...and I'm fascinated by it! So fun to figure out why Alaska's one side is completely straight while the rest is a crazy mess! :) We're not very far, and it'll be a long process! :)

This is a book I want to read, after I own it. I discovered that I'd previously listed that I'd read up to page 52 a few years ago before having to return it to the library. I've read a couple more states (the one I live in and those near me now). It's not a book to read cover to cover, but a state or two at a time, which is why I'd love to own it as I won't finish it before it's due.

Totally understand that! That's why we're using it as a school read! It's our geography:) No worries...it'll take us a year to get through it But we DO own it...I think that's a MUST with this book!

I've got it on my PaperbackSwap wishlist, where it's been since last May. Waiting for it to eventually, hopefully, come in. I'll read a few more states (that's why I need to keep a list of them) before turning it back into the library and then can read a few more next time I check it out.

I think it would work great for a homeschool geography lesson! My husband just started a job as an over-the-road trucker. I printed out a coloring page of the 48 contingent U.S. states and as Daddy drove through a state, we'd highlight it on the map so my boys could see where Daddy has been. In just a month...he's made it to 28 states!