Book excerpt: The Youth Companion was the largest selling publication in the U.S. in the 1890's. Its purpose was to teach patriotism to young people. Somehow, that goal seems to have been forgotten. This book is designed for families that want to teach their children why our American flag deserves our respect. The story of the Stars and Stripes is a story of heroism, a story of our culture, and a story of traditions. The book gives a history of our flag and offers tribute to those who have carried it and fought for our country. The book presents short stories with facts and information on how our flag has evolved, along with fun trivia and quizzes. Yet, it makes strong moral assertions about the ideals our flag represents.