Book excerpt: The rich culture of the southeastern United States boasts great food, bustling cities, and the top-notch music scenes of Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans. Historically, the region played a big role in the formation of the nation we know today. Readers will take a trip through full-color photographs and detailed content to learn all about the fascinating places found in the Southeast. Fact boxes highlight cool places to check out on a road trip, while the main content complements regional topics within the social studies curriculum. With the beauty of the Appalachians and the draw of ocean beaches, the Southeast will engage readers and make them eager to travel to this growing area of the country.