About the author: Geneva Ackman, co-author of the Teacher’s Resource Guide, graduated from the University of Dubuque in 1953 and completed a Master’s degree in reading at Clarke College in 1970. She taught elementary school in Iowa and Virginia and served as a reading specialist in Dubuque and in Brookings, South Dakota. She had twenty years of experience as an educator of English as a Second Language and also served as a part-time instructor at South Dakota State University. She served terms as chair of the East Central Literacy Council and as secretary of the South Dakota Literacy Council. Geneva passed away in 2014. Susan Turnipseed, co-author of the Teacher's Resource Guide and author of the Student Workbook, was a 4th grade teacher for 36 years in the Brookings, SD School District. From 2009-2015, Susan taught technology classes to the district's 4th grade students. In 2011 she was named the South Dakota Teacher of the Year. In retirement she has worked with student teachers from South Dakota State University and mentored new teachers in the Brookings School District.

Image description: The cover illustration has a bright blue background. On the left side of the top half, the title is displayed in large, white letter, with the subtitle below that. On the right of that the silver seal of the State of South Dakota. The lower half of the cover features an illustration depicting historical scenes, including a steam train, horse-drawn carriages, a man on a horse, and people in historical clothing. At the very bottom the authors' names are displayed in black letters.