Countdown

Wiles, D. (2010). Countdown. New York: Scholastic Press.

Countdown is a fabulous book because of the inserted documentary photographs, newspaper clippings, and illustrations of the 1960s.  The illustrations bring the reader directly into the era and immerse readers into the turmoiled emotions of the characters who were constantly threatened by atomic bombs and simultaneously put enormous faith in their president, John F. Kennedy.  The book explains many of the details of the Cold War and the Bay of Pigs Invasion and while telling a story about a young girl trying to fit in with her family and friends, teaches readers about a fascinating bit of history. (Grade 5 and up).