This textbook for the middle-school reader is an engaging and balanced account of New Mexico from earliest times to the present. Presented is a comprehensive introduction to geographic features as well as social, economic, and political events that have shaped the state's development. The first nine chapters cover New Mexico's pre-history and settlement prior to 1846; another six chapters focus on New Mexico as a part of the United States.

The narrative is enriched by nineteen special interest features, five time lines, 145 illustrations, of which twenty-seven are in color, and twenty-three maps.

A separate teacher resource guide is complimentary with class sets of 20 or more books. The resource guide includes lesson plans keyed to the state's instructional standards for social studies, answers to section and chapter reviews, four different types of student activity worksheets, tests and answer keys, bibliographies, and resource suggestions.

"This book is easy to read. I enjoyed being reminded of facts I had not thought of for years. The approach is good, even enjoyable."--Thomas E. Chávez, Ph.D., Director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center

Reading level: grade 7.