This book includes “positive” and “negative” aspects of Massachusetts, such as cranberry bogs and the past history of whaling and Salem witch trials respectively. The negative aspects are dealt with gently, however, both in the poem and in the additional side-margin information. Overall, it’s a celebration of the state, clearly meant to glorify its unique place in US history and culture.

This book could be used for units on state history (for example students learn about Arizona history in 4th grade). The audience could be younger children if only the rhyme is read or older children if they read the side text as well and perhaps do further research into one of the letters. The research could lead to reports and presentations. Students could even write their own alphabet books if they use this as a model but don’t read one about their actual state.