World History & Geography

BARTOLETTI, Susan Campbell. The Boy Who Dared. 202p. maps. photos. reprods. CIP. Scholastic. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-439-68013-4. LC 2007014166.

Gr 6-9–A young man who comes of age in Nazi Germany distributes leaflets questioning Adolf Hitler’s actions and authority. Based upon the true story of Helmuth Hübener, this novel re-creates the teen’s courageous decision, his prompt arrest, and his last days on death row. B

BELLER, Susan Provost. Battling in the Pacific: Soldiering in World War II. 112p. (Soldiers on the Battlefront Series). map. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. 21st Century Bks. 2007. PLB $33.26. ISBN 978-0-8225-6381-5. LC 2006028168.

Gr 5-8–Captioned photos, fact boxes, highlighted quotations, and a thoughtful presentation invite students to examine the grim realities of the war in the Pacific. Topics include the role of women, African Americans, and Native Americans; the treatment of POWs; and the controversial use of the atomic bomb. B

BELLER, Susan Provost. Roman Legions on the March: Soldiering in the Ancient Roman Army. 112p. (Soldiers on the Battlefront Series). map. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. 21st Century Bks. 2007. PLB $33.26. ISBN 978-0-8225-6781-3. LC 2006037829.

Gr 5-8–An enlightening look at the training, day-to-day life, technology, weaponry, and accomplishments of a famed fighting force. Incorporating numerous reproductions of artworks and artifacts and quoting historians both ancient and modern day, the text highlights the army’s vital role in expanding the Roman Empire and “civilizing” conquered territories. B

HANEL, Rachael. Gladiators. ISBN 978-1-58341-535-1. LC 2006021842.

––––.Knights. ISBN 978-1-58341-536-8. LC 2006021843.

––––.Samurai. ISBN 978-1-58341-538-2. LC 2006023575.

ea vol: 48p. (Fearsome Fighters Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Creative Education. 2007. PLB $31.35.

Gr 5-8–After setting the stage by providing historical and cultural context, Hanel introduces the training, equipment, fighting techniques, and lifestyle of each fighting group, highlighting famous individuals and battles and tracing the warriors’ modern-day legacy. These attractive volumes feature dramatic, full-color historical paintings, photos, and other images. B

KOPS, Deborah. Palenque. ISBN 978-0-8225-7504-7. LC 2007021323.

SONNEBORN, Liz. Pompeii. ISBN 978-0-8225-7505-4. LC 2007022058.

ea vol: 80p. (Unearthing Ancient Worlds Series). diags. illus. maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. 21st Century Bks. 2008. PLB $30.60.

Gr 5-8–Primary quotes, full-color photos, and reproductions of period artwork provide a you-are-there look at archaeological explorations of the past. Palenque describes the 19th-century visit of two American explorers to the Mayan site and Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier’s amazing mid-20th-century discovery of a tomb, while Pompeii focuses on 18th-century excavation efforts of the ancient city. B

LI, Moying. Snow Falling in Spring: Coming of Age in China during the Cultural Revolution. 192p. photos. CIP. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa Bks. 2008. Tr $16. ISBN 978-0-374-39922-1. LC 2006038356.

Gr 6-9–Helping a young married neighbor cut off her long hair to “please” Chairman Mao (and to prevent guards from doing it) is just one indignity Li remembers about growing up during China’s Cultural Revolution. Living in a society where books were forbidden and loved ones sent to labor camps, her poignant voice reflects a strength and resilience young readers will find inspiring. B

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WORLD ATLAS FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS. 3rd ed. 191p. charts. diags. illus. maps. photos. glossary. index. Web sites. National Geographic. 2007. Tr $24.95. ISBN 978-1-4263-0088-2. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4 Up–Large, clear maps and full-color photos on every page are enhanced by links to the atlas’s dedicated Web site, where students can watch videos of animals, listen to music of different cultures, and download maps for school reports. An introductory section explains how to read a map and includes information on the physical world, politics and populations, and the geography of the oceans. B

PLATT, Richard. Through Time: Pompeii. illus. by Manuela Cappon. 48p. maps. chron. glossary. index. CIP. Kingfisher. 2007. PLB $16.95. ISBN 978-0-7534-6044-3. LC 2007004851.

Gr 3-6–This slim volume presents a visual history of Pompeii, from its origins as a farm settlement in 750 B.C.E. through its growth into a flourishing Roman metropolis to the C.E. 79 eruption of Vesuvius to 18th-century excavations, and finally ending with today’s “romantic ruins.” Colorful spreads combine detailed illustrations with brief text paragraphs to provide intriguing glimpses at each era and encourage exploration. B

STEELE, Philip. Eyewitness: Vote. 72p. w/CD. charts. illus. maps. photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. Web sites. DK. 2008. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-3382-0. LC number unavailable.

Gr 4-8–Covering the history of representative government from its roots in ancient Greece to today’s democratic societies, this volume includes highlights on the importance of voting rights with lively text, superb color photography, and eye-catching design. The addition of a clip-art CD and a large wall chart of illustrated facts will enhance its classroom use. B

WILLIAMS, Marcia. Archie’s War. illus. by author. 48p. photos. reprods. glossary. Candlewick. 2007. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3532-9. LC number unavailable.

Gr 3-6–Colored pencil drawings with detailed captions, reproductions of postcards, snippets of newspaper articles, and fold-out letters fill oversize pages as a young East London boy chronicles the events, both personal and historic, of “the war to end all wars.” A visually compelling fictional introduction. B

YOLEN, Jane. Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World. illus. by Christine Joy Pratt. 103p. bibliog. index. Web sites. CIP. Charlesbridge. 2008. RTE $18.95. ISBN 978-1-58089-131-8. LC 2007026983.

Gr 4-6–Beginning with Artemisia of ancient Persia and ending with China’s Madam Ching in the early 19th century, Yolen gives the skinny on a bunch of sword-swinging, cargo-stealing, bold-as-brass buccaneers. Illustrated with alluring pen-and-ink on scratchboard artwork, each lively biographical sketch distinguishes between documented fact and colorful confabulation. B

Journals Through History: Ancient Rome. 2 DVDs. 30 min. ea. Discovery Education (discoveryeducation.com). 2007. ISBN 1-30288-194-4. $89.95 set.

Gr 3-6–Animation, maps, graphics, paintings, statues, and re-creations illuminate the journal entries of a student in ancient Rome. The Battle of Actium; the Pantheon; the construction of roads, bathhouses, and Hadrian’s Wall; Rome’s empire-building days and its powerful military; government and legal systems; and more are covered. D

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party (unabr.). 4 CDs. 4:45 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape (library.booksontape.com). 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-6161-0. $38.

Gr 5 Up–Ling and her family have a comfortable life in Wuhan, China. But everything changes when one of Mao’s officers moves into her family’s apartment in Ying Chang Compestine’s coming-of-age, semiautobiographical novel (Holt, 2007). Narrator Jodi Long skillfully portrays the girl and her confusion, inner strength, and determination as well as the belligerent and officious officer. The author’s rich descriptions evoke the sights and smells of China at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. A