What Is the Panama Canal?

Before 1914, traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast meant going by land across the entire United States. To go by sea involved a long journey around South America and north along the Pacific Coast. But then, in a dangerous and amazing feat of engineering, a 48-mile-long channel was dug through Panama, creating the world’s most famous shortcut: the Panama Canal!

By Janet B. Pascal and Who HQ
Illustrated by Tim Foley

About OLP Selects

Looking for interesting, age appropriate, history books for your young reader? We've done the legwork for you with OLP Selects, History Books for Kids. Our selection of highly rated and reviewed titles are the perfect supplements to your 4th and 5th grade history studies. Great for expanded study of a favorite historical figure or event these books are also perfect for beginner book reports. Our initial offerings are from the acclaimed "Who Was" book series from WhoHQ at Penguin Books.