From the creators of the "Brown Paper School" books, this exciting series title provides fascinating bits of information about the early days of our nation's history, from Washington's inauguration to the cessation of the war with Mexico. This fourth volume in the series looks at how the colonists decided what type of government would best serve the population and how 13 very different colonies came together to create a vibrant new country. The authors make history come alive by writing about young people of the period, combining original writings of the era with well-rendered, informative, black-and-white illustrations and maps, quotations and excerpts from diaries, journals, and more. Activities for students include dramatic readings and poetry, a Mississippi River board game, and crafts and other activities, which could be used to supplement history textbooks.