Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Colorful, fascinating portraits of 50 kids in 50 states.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ALL ABOUT U.S. opens as the sun rises on the East Coast, visiting with Hannah in Maine as she helps her fisherman family, and then moves to Lielle in Massachusetts as she and her family walk to the synagogue for Shabbat. It then visits Ramon in Rhode Island, who's into cars and loves his Hot Wheels ... By the time the sun has reached the Pacific and set on Hi'ilani in Hawaii and Lydia in Alaska, we've met 50 kids inviting us into their lives and sharing their interests: fencing! chess! classical music! flying planes! Legos! Also challenges: For some families, money is tight, while other kids are dealing with disabilities, life-threatening illness, recent homelessness, and long separations from parents who work far away. Everybody's different—and it's often surprising what they have in common with each of us, and each other.
Is It Any Good?
Reflecting the complexity and diversity of U.S families by spotlighting real people, this heart-filled, matter-of-fact instant classic offers a window into the lives and interests of 50 kids in 50 states. The engaging All About U.S. lets a diverse range of kids 5–11 talk about their lives. Bringing their words vividly to life in colorful, upbeat illustrations, the authors let the stories speak for themselves and allow readers to draw their own conclusions. Readers young and old will find a lot that's new to them as kids do interesting things (flying planes! dancing at powwows! helping with the family summer camp!), face big challenges (loss, disability, money issues)—and probably have surprising things in common with their own lives. There's a lot to take in here, and repeat visits will be rewarded.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different states that make up the USA, and how people's lives are different (or the same) there. Does reading about real kids' lives in books like All About U.S. make you want to do things you don't see people doing where you live? Like what? How could you get started on that new interest?
Have you ever traveled to a place different from the one you lived in and been surprised by what it was like? What did you notice and how did you feel about it?
Of the 50 kids we see here, which kids do you find most appealing or interesting, and maybe wish you knew better? Who and why?
Does reading about how different kids live build your empathy for other people's experiences? If so, how? If not, why not?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Matt Lamothe
- Genre : Family Life
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Gratitude , Humility
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Chronicle Books
- Publication date : August 6, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 84
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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