The subtitle of Perl's engrossing genealogy handbook seems entirely accurate: in a thoroughly readable style, she does indeed make searching out one's lineage fun. From the first chapter, ``Who Cares About Great-Uncle Edgar,'' through to an appendix with the thought-provoking title ``Digging Deeper,'' Perl makes delving into one's roots an intriguing project. She enumerates reasons people should be concerned about their forebears; she provides origins of names, a brief background of the census process, a look at immigration over the past hundred years and many other revealing aspects of genealogical research. The book's many historical photographs speak as eloquently as Perl's text; the cover shot, the deck of an over-crowded immigrant ship teeming with hopeful, upturned faces, is particularly moving. Charts, period advertisements and an illustrated time-line add further allure. This informative book should inspire many young readers to research their own personal history. Ages 9-up. (Sept.)
Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Gr 5-9-- This attractive, immensely readable guide to genealogy provides both information and encouragement. Perl's positive, upbeat approach involves readers from the first sentence. Never condescending, she writes fluently about the reasons for doing genealogical research, how to trace family roots (with a thorough discussion of surnames), how and why families immigrated to America, types of documents and memorabilia to look for, and how to preserve information. Perl uses anecdotes and examples from a wide variey of ethnic and cultural groups, including blacks, American Indians, and Asians. An appendix discusses censuses, vital records, and other helpful sources. Intriguing black-and-white photographs and occasional drawings complete the book. Cooper's Where Did You Get Those Eyes? (Walker, 1988), for the same age group, is project-oriented, leading readers through specific activities. Henriod's Ancestor Hunting (Messner, 1979; o.p.) shows its age in some language and information; Weitzman's My Backyard History Book (Little, 1975) gives entertaining activities on family as well as neighborhood history. Perl, in contrast, focuses more on the whys of family research, and provides greater detail, more examples, and far more inspiration. --Ann W. Moore, formerly at Lane Road Library, Columbus, OH
