• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

Named a 5th– 6th Grade Honor Book by the Austin Young Engineer’s Award 2003-2004

From old favorites like Monticello, Falling Water, and the Chrysler Building, to lesser-known treasures like Bernard Maybeck’s First Church of Christ, Scientist (in Berkeley, California), the buildings that Janice Weaver presents tell the story of a nation and its people. Traveling through almost four hundred years of history – and to all four corners of the continental United States – Building America explores an architecture that is as diverse as the people who created it. Complete with timeline, glossary, and index, this fine introduction to architecture is splendidly illustrated by Bonnie Shemie’s detailed paintings.

JANICE WEAVER is the award-winning author of Building America, From Head to Toe, and The A to Z of Everyday Things. She lives in Toronto.

Janice Weaver's profile page

Bonnie Shemie's profile page

“[This] book with great visual appeal offers a tantalizing survey of 400 years of architecture… Meticulous, finely detailed renderings in subdued colors illuminate the buildings…”
–School Library Journal
“[This] book takes a fascinating chronological look at the development of architectural styles in the United States…Highly Recommended.”
–CM Magazine
“…an intriguing historical guide…”
–Children’s Bookwatch
“This is more than a marvelous illustrated history of architecture in America; it provides an easy-to-take social context for the buildings it showcases. Illustrator Shemie has done a masterly job of picturing the wide variety of buildings.”
–Philadelphia Inquirer
“…a fascinating record of how United States architecture has evolved in the past 300 years… The illustrations…are numerous and colourful.”
–Winnipeg Free Press
“[A] fascinating book, a must for any history or architecture buff…[w]ith clear, detailed illustrations…”
–The Repository
“It’s a lovely and informative book, designed for pre-teens up, and of equal interest to adults.
–BookLoons Teens Reviews
“…interesting and highly informative…lavishly illustrated…”
–The Monterey County Herald