Texas's road to statehood was as long and winding as one of its many cattle drive trails. Readers explore every twist and turn along the way, from its time as an independent republic to its annexation into the United States. They learn about Texas's role in important U.S. events, such as the Mexican-American War and the Compromise of 1850. With the help of historical and contemporary images as well as informative sidebars and graphic organizers, this book allows readers to discover for themselves the journey that brought Texas from a Spanish colony to the important U.S. state it is today.