F is for Flag

F is For Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison is a nonfiction picture book about the history and importance of the American flag.  The illustrations are engaging and extend the story.  The book shows the flag as present in good and bad times with the picture illustrating a flag draped over a veteran’s casket.  While the text only goes so far about the history and importance of the flag, the vocabulary and pictures lend themselves to student questions which may lead to a great inquiry lesson.  Not only does this book give the history of the flag, but it also discusses how the flag is a representation of diversity and unity at the same time.  This diverse but united concept is one that can be difficult for teachers and parents to teach children, but this book does an excellent job at using a symbol we are familiar with to explain that concept.  For any third grade students, this book would be a good review of famous Americans they need to know for the SOLs as it includes George Washington and Betsy Ross.  The title may trick people into thinking it is an alphabet book, but really it is a great social studies book for students of all ages.