The "Cornerstones of Freedom" detail important events in United States history. Children are given the sense of being witnesses to history-in-the-making and contemporaries of famous people who helped shape the United States into the world power it is today. ( )

The book has more words and is not a typical Picture/ Informational text. I suggest it for 3rd grade and up. Maybe use for project purposes. ( )

Summary: A detailed view of the events that took place at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941. The story is told from the perspective of Tony Munce, an eighteen year old sailor stationed aboard the U.S.S. Arizona on the day of the attack who is thrown overboard by a huge blast just seconds before the explosion of the ship.

Personal Reaction: This book was a great reminder of what all took place the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Having lived in Hawaii for eight years I have been to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial many times and visited the other areas greatly affected during the war. This is a great reminder of the devastation that took place so many years ago. While living in Hawaii it was always interesting to take trips to the places mentioned in our studies. It had a completely different effect that just reading about them in our books.

Classroom Extension:
1. One thing that would be a great follow up to the book would be a virtual tour of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. To see the names on the wall of the soldiers and sailors that were buried at sea is incomprehensible.
2. Building a mock harbor and placing the boats in their appropriate positions might help the students understand why the ships sank and were unable to get out to sea. Seeing the U.S.S. Oklahoma devastated during the raid is heart wrenching for students from Oklahoma. ( )

Story of the Navy ship USS Arizona's fate at Pearl Harbor.