Following the success of the books and television series comes an interactive software version of Dear America (Scholastic). Just as in the books, the purpose of this software is to make American history come alive by examining the everyday lives of 6 girls from diverse historical periods and experiences. Kids (ages 8-12) can read entries in each girl's diary to begin trying to understand the challenges each faces. They can also develop a relationship with each girl using the Friend-To-Friend Connection and "contact" each girl through the magic of interactive multimedia (instant messaging) to make decisions that will influence the outcome of the character's stories, ask and answer questions, make comparisons between their lives, and give advice. (This works fairly well depending on what questions are asked-nothing too deep). There's also a place for users to keep and decorate their very own journal. The program tries to evoke a feeling of each era through the use of period music and background settings. The 3-D graphics are actually quite successful at drawing users into the scenes, which resemble watercolor paintings. This program can be a bit difficult to navigate because the menus blend so well into the background that users may have to do some experimenting to find where they are. Fans of the books (the stories related in the software are sequels and a prequel to those in the books) are sure to find this software intriguing, as will kids who are fascinated by details of other people's lives.