Illinois

I fully admit that when I think of Illinois I think of Abraham Lincoln's home and tomb, Chicago deep-dish pizza, da Bears, and the Wrigley Building. However, I do not think of Metropolis, the hometown of Superman (partly Smallville is Superman's hometown and everybody knows that is in Kansas, but also because I have always assumed Metropolis was a cover for New York City and not for Chicago). By the end of this book in the From Sea to Shining Sea series I still will not associate Superman with the city of Metropolis on the southern border of Illinois, but I can still recommend this book by Barbara A. Somervill as an informative look at the Prairie State. The second chapter covers the geography of The Land of Illinois, known as the "middle" state because it is in the middle of the country and in the middle in size (ranking 24th in size, which is close enough since Lebanon, Kansas is the official geographical center of the 48 continental states. Somervill details the three geographical regions: the Central Plains, the Shawnee Hills, and the Gulf Coastal Plains (the first covers 90% of the state, but I always find the geographical divisions to be interesting). The chapter also covers the Rivers and Lakes, Plants and Animals, and Climate. The history of Illinois is the subject of the third chapter, which begins with the Paleo-Indians and European explorers, then has the British take over from the French, before it became a state. There is a section on the Mormons in Illinois before moving on to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, and then the Chicago Fire. The 20th century is basically divided into the period before and after World War II up to 2001 and the beginning of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The next chapter looks at the government of Illinois, touching on the three branches of state government. Then Somervill takes her young readers on a tour of Springfield, the state capital. The map of downtown Springfield shows the relative location of the Old State Capitol, Lincoln's Law Office, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and the Lincoln Depot Museum (you have to get off the map to find Lincoln's Tomb, but of course it is a "must see" when you visit). The final chapter is about the people who live and work in Illinois and the places you can visit in the state. The recipe is for Pumpkin Custard, and just because I cannot stomach the idea does not mean others would not find it tasty). Somervill gives great advice that if you tour Illinois then plan two separate trips: one to Chicago and one of the rest of the state. So one section is devoted to Chicago and the other to "Illinois From Top to Toe," which is how we end up in Metropolis. Turn to a new page and as likely as not you will find one or more informative sidebars. The Extra! Extra! blocks have interesting facts, such as the town of Lincoln being named for Abraham Lincoln before he became president (he was the lawyer that drew up the court papers on