What Was? Series
Common Sense says
- Who HQ, et al.
- History
- 2018
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the What Was? series is packed with historical details about some of the most talked-about moments in history. The books are fun to read, packed with information and obscure details, and show how the topics are relevant today. Each book takes the time to set the scene, telling readers what was happening in the world during U.S. baseball's Negro Leagues or in Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted. The series is upbeat and positive wherever possible and reminds readers that the past is really not that far behind us, and that it is still relevant today.
Wondering if What Was? Series is OK for your kids?
Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Join now
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the story?
The WHAT WAS? SERIES profiles historically significant events, giving readers a closer look at some of the most talked-about events in history, such as the Holocaust, the great Chicago fire, the Panama Canal, D-Day, the Summer Olympics, Ellis Island, NASA, and many more. Each book has a bibliography and a fold-out, glossy timeline of events at the end, and sidebars throughout the book give additional details related to the main topic.
Is it any good?
The books in this series are fabulous, giving the historical details that are interesting to both young readers and adults. The writing in the What Was? series, as in the other series by the Who HQ authors, is fast-paced and packed with facts and background information, and makes the topics relevant today. With such a breadth of topics, even reluctant readers will find topics in the series to catch their interest. There's a ton of great vocabulary and trivia, and lots of extra (but related) information tucked into the pages.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how the What Was? series is relevant today. Have you seen the impact of these historical events in your lifetime?
What fascinates you about this topic? Do you know anyone else who is interested in this?
What details did you learn about the topic that you didn't know before?
Book details
- Author: Who HQ, et al.
- Genre: History
- Topics: History
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Penguin Workshop
- Publication date: April 19, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 112
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 30, 2019
For kids who love history
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.