Booklist - Daniel Kraus

The You Choose series continues to bring immediacy to historical situations by offering three story paths and anywhere between 19 and 24 choose-your-own-adventure endings, thereby illustrating how snap decisions could spell life or death for those living in hard times. The Dust Bowl is a standout, as it offers the intriguing choices of staying in Kansas to farm, leaving for California, or working as a government photographer (perhaps the one imagined to be responsible for many of the included period photos). Although The Wild West gives the option of working as a lawman or gambler, many readers will choose the life of an outlaw – and subsequently read such passages as “You fall off your horse, landing in a pool of your own blood.” World War II is the most globe-trotting entry and is surprisingly expansive in its options. It skirts much of the gruesome, and although you can die in a concentration camp, the true horror is only hinted at. Overall, the story paths in this series are nicely varied but short, so repeated attempts are necessary for these to make an educational impact. Thankfully, it’s hard not to want to resurrect yourself for further adventures.