Book excerpt: The Midwest and Great Lakes Region offers an array of opportunities for those who reside there, and tourists as well. The landscape is painted with farmland, steep hills and rolling plains, dense forests with sparkling waterfalls and lots of lakes! The Great Lakes serve as a major transportation route but also an important recreational hotspot. Many fish, water ski, sail, snowmobile, and even dive among the shipwrecks! Cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit, which are filled with music, great food, and loyal sports fans, are fun to explore. So grab your camera and discover this diverse U.S. region. This book will allow students to identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.