From Path to Highway: The Story of the Boston Post Road

This is an unexpected and charming departure for Gail Gibbons, best known for her volumes of books on how things work. Here the author goes back 500 years to trace the development of the Boston Post Road (connecting Boston and New York City), as it changed from a narrow path into a modern, four-lane highway. In doing so, Gibbons touches upon important stages of the nation's history. Her writing style brings that history to life: ""Snap! A branch breaks. Indians make their way through the forest, following a narrow path.'' The full-color paintings, done in American folk-art style, provide fresh glimpses as the book progresses toward the 20th century and beyond. (69)