Who's Got Mail?

March 15, 2023
Grades 5-8 What's the most popular and best-selling stamp to date? That and much more are revealed in this informative and fun history of the U.S. Postal Service. It's full of fascinating facts, such as that, in the early 1900s, some parents actually mailed their children via parcel post to visit relatives in order to save the cost of a train ticket! The book recounts how the establishment of post offices around the country led to investment and improvement in the transportation system. The early diversity among adventurous people who worked as postmasters, postal carriers, and clerks is included, and the text discusses the pony express, commemorative stamps, the trials and triumphs of airmail service, zip codes, the lack of post offices on Native reservations, voting by mail, and the postal service's financial problems. Despite issues, surveys show that people, especially those living in rural areas, consider the postal service to be essential. A well-researched and appealingly designed book. With historical and color photos, sidebars, a time line, notes, a selected bibliography, and an index.

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Starred review from March 1, 2023
This first-class history of an essential democratic institution should be a priority for young readers. Besides connecting us, since Colonial days the post office has fostered the expansion and improvement of roads, employment opportunities, provision of medical supplies, transportation, voting access, economic development, and more. Among the surprising facts shared: Mail could be sent without stamps until 1856 (the recipient had to pay to receive the letter), and originally, like other public services, mail delivery was not expected to be profitable. Three separate chapters are devoted to African Americans, women, and Latine, Asian, and Native Americans, testifying to the country's history of systemic bias as well as contributions made by people from these communities. A chapter on the United States Postal Inspection Service is revealing: Mail train robberies, mail theft, and fraud have long tempted grifters. Sections on the future of the USPS, especially in light of 2022 reform legislation and flourishing anti-government sentiment, are notably thorough and evenhanded. Among the abundant, engaging, and informative photos are mule-train and reindeer-team delivery systems; the classical James Farley building, formerly the site of New York City's central post office; and both famous and ordinary people who have made this public service work. The colorful and attractive pages are predominantly light blue with darker blue borders and yellow text boxes that provide interesting tidbits and additional context. A lively, carefully researched, and clearly written narrative. (timeline, notes, bibliography, image credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)

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Starred review from September 15, 2023

Gr 4-8-This engaging story of the postal delivery service in the United States shares the history of an essential democratic institution considered so foundational to American life that its existence is mandated in the U.S. Constitution. Even early American leaders so wary of centralized government considered a federal postal system necessary to keep citizens informed regarding local and national happenings. Because its mission is to serve all Americans, wherever the postal service has expanded, it literally paved the way for improved transportation and infrastructure. Osborne illustrates with photos the many ways the mail has been delivered, including mules still trekking down the Grand Canyon! American history and the service provided by the postal system are intertwined. Osborne recounts how the postal service has become one of the most diverse workforces, with many overcoming discrimination faced by women and people of color. Chapters and inset text boxes focus on the experiences of women, Black, Asian, Latinx, and Native American workers and shine a light on an employer that has changed over the centuries to reflect the neighborhoods it serves. This may not be the most popular subject, but everyone uses the mail service, and Osborne's meticulous research results in a fascinating history. VERDICT With first class writing, this extremely readable postal history gets delivered with an enthusiastic stamp of approval.-Lisa Crandall

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