The following review is in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
LS5603.20, Genre 4—nonfiction.
1. Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 1993. Autumn Across America. New York: Hyperion
Books for Children. ISBN 1-56282-467-8
2. Plot Summary
Autumn Across America shows and describes the fall season in
America. Simon discusses the changing colors of the leaves and what
causes the change. He talks about the migration of birds and the way
that insects and plants prepare for cooler weather. Simon shows that
autumn looks different in different parts of the country.
3. Critical Analysis
Autumn Across America is a beautiful book. Each brilliantly colored
photograph is a treat for the eye, whether it is a panoramic shot of
the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve or a close-up of a milkweed
plant scattering its tiny seeds. The photographs are the main
attraction of the book.
Simon includes correct scientific vocabulary in Autumn Across
America. He uses words like chlorophyll, photosynthesis, antho-
cyanins, deciduous, and equinox. In most cases, there is a brief
explanation of the scientific word in the text. Although the
information in the book is technically correct, it is presented in
a way that reads more like a textbook than a book to read aloud
and enjoy. The book does not use quotations or anecdotes or
interesting bits of information that grab the reader’s attention.
It just presents facts.
Autumn Across America is a relatively brief book (32 pages), but
it includes a lot of information. Because the pages are not num-
bered and there is not a table of contents or an index, the only
way to find information is to read through the book page by page.
4. Review Excerpts
Booklist: “each turn of the page [is] a delightful shock, not unlike
the astonishment of seeing the first orange tree of fall.” “As usual,
Simon presents his subject with flair.” (Reviewed Nov. 15, 1993)—
Kathryn Broderick
School Library Journal: “A great deal of information is packed into
the dense text. It is clearly stated, but often requires conceptual-
ization beyond the reach of the intended audience. Since there is
no index and no table of contents, children looking for specific
information will be frustrated. The book's main attraction is its
design-beautiful photographs set in pages of glowing fall colors.
Seasonal materials are always in demand; this one is a good choice
for browsers.”--Louise L. Sherman
5. Connections
The photographs in this book would be a good way to introduce a
study of autumn.
Have students draw or make rubbings of fall leaves and write one
fact about fall on their pictures. Bind the pictures into a class
book. Make a book for each season.
Other books about the seasons:
Winter Across America by Seymour Simon. ISBN 978-0-786-80019-3
LS5603.20, Genre 4—nonfiction.
1. Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 1993. Autumn Across America. New York: Hyperion
Books for Children. ISBN 1-56282-467-8
2. Plot Summary
Autumn Across America shows and describes the fall season in
America. Simon discusses the changing colors of the leaves and what
causes the change. He talks about the migration of birds and the way
that insects and plants prepare for cooler weather. Simon shows that
autumn looks different in different parts of the country.
3. Critical Analysis
Autumn Across America is a beautiful book. Each brilliantly colored
photograph is a treat for the eye, whether it is a panoramic shot of
the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve or a close-up of a milkweed
plant scattering its tiny seeds. The photographs are the main
attraction of the book.
Simon includes correct scientific vocabulary in Autumn Across
America. He uses words like chlorophyll, photosynthesis, antho-
cyanins, deciduous, and equinox. In most cases, there is a brief
explanation of the scientific word in the text. Although the
information in the book is technically correct, it is presented in
a way that reads more like a textbook than a book to read aloud
and enjoy. The book does not use quotations or anecdotes or
interesting bits of information that grab the reader’s attention.
It just presents facts.
Autumn Across America is a relatively brief book (32 pages), but
it includes a lot of information. Because the pages are not num-
bered and there is not a table of contents or an index, the only
way to find information is to read through the book page by page.
4. Review Excerpts
Booklist: “each turn of the page [is] a delightful shock, not unlike
the astonishment of seeing the first orange tree of fall.” “As usual,
Simon presents his subject with flair.” (Reviewed Nov. 15, 1993)—
Kathryn Broderick
School Library Journal: “A great deal of information is packed into
the dense text. It is clearly stated, but often requires conceptual-
ization beyond the reach of the intended audience. Since there is
no index and no table of contents, children looking for specific
information will be frustrated. The book's main attraction is its
design-beautiful photographs set in pages of glowing fall colors.
Seasonal materials are always in demand; this one is a good choice
for browsers.”--Louise L. Sherman
5. Connections
The photographs in this book would be a good way to introduce a
study of autumn.
Have students draw or make rubbings of fall leaves and write one
fact about fall on their pictures. Bind the pictures into a class
book. Make a book for each season.
Other books about the seasons:
Winter Across America by Seymour Simon. ISBN 978-0-786-80019-3
Reasons for Seasons by Gail Gibbons. ISBN 978-0-823-41238-9
Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno. ISBN 978-0-690-01287-3
Sunshine Makes the Seasons by Franklyn Mansfield Branley.
ISBN 978-0-060-59205-9
Seasons by Paul P. Sipiera and Diane M. Sipiera.
ISBN 978-0-516-26439-4
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