'So What?'
RSSReviewed by Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High, Rolla, MO -- School Library Journal, 04/01/2010
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History Preschool to Grade 4 Grades 5 & Up The Bottom Line |
History
Every teacher confronts the question, “So what?” Sometimes it is verbal, more often it comes in the form of an eye roll or shrugged shoulders. But it is always a challenge from a student demanding to know why something is important. Effective history books explain why things happened and analyze impact and lasting change. The best of those titles take readers back in time and give them realistic and fascinating glimpses into a world that is gone but still has relevance to their lives. These books answer the “So what?” question, some with more success than others.
Preschool to Grade 4
GANERI, Anita Ancient Greeks ISBN 978-1-59604-204-9. LC 2008016506.GANERI, Anita. The Egyptians ISBN 978-1-59604-203-2. LC 2008016505.
GANERI, Anita. The Romans ISBN 978-1-59604-206-3. LC 2008016508.
GANERI, Anita. The Vikings ISBN 978-1-59604-207-0. LC 2008016509.
SAYER, Chloë Aztecs and Incas ISBN 978-1-59604-205-6. LC 2008016507. ea vol: 32p. (All About Ancient Peoples Series). illus. maps. photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. CIP. Stargazer 2010. PLB $27.10.
Gr 3-5–Each of these attractive introductions contains 13 spreads about life in, and the cultures of, ancient civilizations. Chapters begin with one or two paragraph overviews, but most of the pages are filled with color-coded text boxes that provide related information about geography, language and literature, science and math, history, social history, and the arts. Coverage is mostly standard fare and the books certainly do not teach students “all about” these ancient cultures, but short paragraphs, colorful illustrations and photos, and informative maps and diagrams will attract readers, making the series a supplementary choice.
Grades 5 & Up
ALLEN, Kathy The Horrible, Miserable Middle Ages: The Disgusting Details About Life During Medieval Times ISBN 978-1-4296-3958-3. LC 2009029639.RAUM, Elizabeth The Dreadful, Smelly Colonies: The Disgusting Details About Life in Colonial America ISBN 978-1-4296-3959-0. LC 2009029640.
RAUM, Elizabeth. The Terrible, Awful Civil War: The Disgusting Details About Life During America’s Bloodiest War ISBN 978-1-4296-3960-6. LC 2009026030.
SCHWARTZ, Heather E. The Foul, Filthy American Frontier: The Disgusting Details About the Journey Out West ISBN 978-1-4296-3957-6. LC 2009031862. ea vol: 32p. (Fact Finders: Disgusting History Series). illus. map. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Capstone 2010. PLB $23.99.
Gr 4-8–Living up to the series title, these books expose the nasty side of history. Each title opens with a brief overview and time line, followed by two- to three-page chapters that discuss the dirty and disgusting conditions that were prevalent in the past. Topics include excretion and sanitation, spoiled food, grisly medical procedures, bug infestations, and early death. Large illustrations and photos, that are dramatic but not overly explicit, add to the texts. These books, which prove that the “good old days” never existed, are gross enough to be surefire hits.
ALTMAN, Linda Jacobs Escape–Teens on the Run: Primary Sources from the Holocaust ISBN 978-0-7660-3270-5. LC 2009021378.ALTMAN, Linda Jacobs. Hidden Teens, Hidden Lives: Primary Sources from the Holocaust ISBN 978-0-7660-3271-2. LC 2009006504.
ALTMAN, Linda Jacobs. Shattered Youth in Nazi Germany: Primary Sources from the Holocaust maps. ISBN 978-0-7660-3268-2. LC 2008048002.
BYERS, Ann Courageous Teen Resisters: Primary Sources from the Holocaust maps. ISBN 978-0-7660-3269-9. LC 2009001374.
BYERS, Ann. Trapped–Youth in the Nazi Ghettos: Primary Sources from the Holocaust maps. ISBN 978-0-7660-3272-9. LC 2009013475.
BYERS, Ann. Youth Destroyed–The Nazi Camps: Primary Sources from the Holocaust maps. ISBN 978-0-7660-3273-6. LC 2009026167. ea vol: 128p. (True Stories of Teens in the Holocaust Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Enslow 2010. PLB $31.93.
Gr 6-10–Many histories use primary sources but fail to do so effectively. These books succeed by integrating into their narratives lengthy quotes from Jewish and other teens whose lives were endangered or changed by the Nazi regime. Each book provides historical background, but the narratives rest upon the recollections, making the material immediate and horrifyingly real. The books have the added advantage of being long enough to give students an authentic impression of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Certain to capture readers’ attention, these are excellent purchases.
BARBER, Nicola Ancient Roman Jobs ISBN 978-1-61532-307-4. LC 2009023750.BARBER, Nicola. Ancient Roman Sports and Pastimes ISBN 978-1-61532-306-7. LC 2009023744.
HARRISON, Paul Ancient Roman Clothes ISBN 978-1-61532-304-3. LC 2009023748.
HARRISON, Paul. Ancient Roman Homes ISBN 978-1-61532-305-0. LC 2009023743. ea vol: 30p. (Ancient Communities: Roman Life Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. Apr. 2010. PLB $25.25.
Gr 4-6–Clean layouts and bright color illustrations and photos of period art and artifacts add significantly to these introductions. Each book is divided into 11 chapter spreads that provide a couple of opening sentences and two long paragraphs of large-size text about subjects such as soldiers and slaves (Jobs) and gladiator fights and theater (Sports). Paragraph-length sidebars discuss Roman people and period objects or excerpt primary sources. While their topics are widely covered in extant literature, these books are attractive enough to appeal to both browsers and report writers.
BREVARD, Katherine McLean The Story of Guns: How They Changed the World ISBN 978-0-7565-4313-6. LC 2009034857.BREVARD, Katherine McLean. The Story of Oil: How It Changed the World ISBN 978-0-7565-4314-3. LC 2009034859.
ROSINSKY, Natalie M. The Story of Pharmaceuticals: How They Changed the World ISBN 978-0-7565-4315-0. LC 2009034865.
ROSINSKY, Natalie M. The Story of the Atomic Bomb: How It Changed the World ISBN 978-0-7565-4316-7. LC 2009034869. ea vol: 48p. (The World Transformed Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Compass Point 2010. PLB $31.99.
Gr 6-10–These books provide clear information about how various technologies and industries developed, objectively analyze their positive and negative aspects, and explain their transformative effects on modern life and the world economy. Sidebars and standard-quality photos and illustrations supplement the texts. The dark and unimaginative covers will not draw many browsers, but these books are reliable choices for reports.
BROOKE, Beatrice D. & Roberto Carvalho de Magalhaes Art and Culture of the Prehistoric World ISBN 978-1-4358-3588-7. LC 2009031774.DELAWARE, Steven S., Giovanni Di Pasquale, & Matilde Bardi Art and Culture of the Medieval World ISBN 978-1-4358-3592-4. LC 2009033575.
MURPHY, Lauren & Rupert Matthews Art and Culture of the Renaissance World ISBN 978-1-4358-3593-1. LC 2009033553.
PISTONE, Nicholas, Giovanni Di Pasquale, & Matilde Bardi Art and Culture of Ancient Rome ISBN 978-1-4358-3591-7. LC 2009033053.
SPRINGER, Lisa & Neil Morris Art and Culture of Ancient Egypt ISBN 978-1-4358-3589-4. LC 2009029782.
TSAKIRIDIS, Dimistra & Matilde Bardi Art and Culture of Ancient Greece ISBN 978-1-4358-3590-0. LC 2009033177. ea vol: 40p. (Ancient Art and Cultures Series). illus. map. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Central Apr. 2010. PLB $26.50.
Gr 5-8–Diagrams, numerous reproductions of art and artifacts, and cutaway drawings of structures and artifacts embellish each page of these introductions. Topics such as daily life, religion, trade, and art and music are covered in two- to three-page chapters that begin with a single-paragraph introduction and feature numerous captioned illustrations, some of which are analyzed for content, symbolism, and importance. However, crowded page layouts, limited background information, and a mismatch between a high reading level and a more elementary appearance and text length make this set only minimally useful for reports.
BURGAN, Michael Refusing to Crumble: The Danish Resistance in World War II photos. ISBN 978-0-7565-4298-6. LC 2009033573.NARDO, Don Freedom Fighter: William Wallace and Scotland’s Battle for Independence map. photos. ISBN 978-0-7565-4300-6. LC 2009030369.
NARDO, Don. United In Cause: The Sons of Liberty map. ISBN 978-0-7565-4299-3. LC 200903071.
ROBINSON, Dennis Striking Back: The Fight to End Child Labor Exploitation photos. ISBN 978-0-7565-4297-9. LC 2009038907. ea vol: 64p. (Taking a Stand Series). reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. Compass Point 2010. PLB $31.99.
Gr 5-8–Using a combination of biography and history, these titles profile courageous individuals and small groups who challenged oppression and changed history. They provide background about the conditions each of the groups sought to remedy, an overview of how the group organized and fought armed or popular opposition, and an analysis of its historical importance. Maps and sidebars provide additional information about related topics, but small photos and illustrations add little to the texts. Though these books are solid report titles, with the exception of Freedom Fighter, the topics have been widely covered elsewhere.
CAMPBELL, Heather M., ed. The Britannica Guide to Political and Social Movements That Changed the Modern World ISBN 978-1-61530-016-7. LC 2009037433.CURLEY, Robert, ed .The Britannica Guide to Inventions That Changed the Modern World ISBN 978-1-61530-020-4. LC 2009037539.
KUIPER, Kathleen, ed. The Britannica Guide to Theories and Ideas That Changed the Modern World ISBN 978-1-61530-029-7. LC 2009048166.
PLETCHER, Kenneth, ed. The Britannica Guide to Explorers and Explorations That Changed the Modern World ISBN 978-1-61530-028-0. LC 2009037672. ea vol: 383p. (Turning Points in History Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Britannica Educational Apr. 2010. PLB $45.
Gr 10 Up–This well-written set, previously published in Britain, will help advanced researchers better understand events, inventions, and ideas that influenced or contributed to the modern world. The books are divided into thematic chapters that objectively cover a topic, such as communication or liberalism, from its origins to the present, so that students can see how it developed and changed through innovation or evolution in thought or knowledge. Sidebars, average-quality black-and-white illustrations and photos, and bibliographies enhance the titles. There is no set index, only volume indexes, a slight weakness. These outstanding selections will help researchers understand the evolution of science, technology, and philosophies.
COLLIER, Paul & Robert O’Neill World War II: The Mediterranean 1940-1945 ISBN 978-1-4358-9132-6. LC 2009031245.GROVE, Philip D., Mark J. Grove, Alastair Finian, & Robert O’Neill World War II: The War at Sea charts. ISBN 978-1-4358-9131-9. LC 2009031237.
HART, Russell A., Stephen A. Hart, & Robert O’Neill World War II: Northwest Europe 1944-1945 ISBN 978-1-4358-9129-6. LC 2009025523.
HAVERS, Robin & Robert O’Neill World War II: Europe 1939-1943 ISBN 978-1-4358-9130-2. LC 2009028384.
HORNER, David & Robert O’Neill World War II: The Pacific ISBN 978-1-4358-9133-3. LC 2009029112.
JUKES, Geoffrey & Robert O’Neill World War II: The Eastern Front 1941-1945 ISBN 978-1-4358-9134-0. LC 2009031235. ea vol: 96p. (World War II: Essential Histories Series). maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Apr. 2010. PLB $31.95.
Gr 10 Up–Previously published by Osprey Books in 2002, this set provides a clear, objective military history of the Second World War. The books are written from a British viewpoint and discuss and analyze the war and its military and political consequences as an international conflict. Average-quality photos and superior full-color campaign and battle maps supplement the texts, and Rosen’s new end matter includes American bibliographic references. While they will not replace popular titles written from an American perspective, these books will help advanced students see the war as a truly global conflict and are good supplemental choices.
CORRIGAN, Jim The 1900s Decade in Photos: A Decade of Discovery ISBN 978-0-7660-3129-6. LC 2008042900.CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1910s Decade in Photos: A Decade That Shook the World ISBN 978-0-7660-3130-2. LC 2008042902.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1920s Decade in Photos: The Roaring Twenties ISBN 978-0-7660-3131-9. LC 2008042903.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1930s Decade in Photos: Depression and Hope ISBN 978-0-7660-3132-6. LC 2008042904.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1940s Decade in Photos: A World at War ISBN 978-0-7660-3133-3. LC 2008042910.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1950s Decade in Photos: “The American Decade” ISBN 978-0-7660-3134-0. LC 2008042994.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1960s Decade in Photos: Love, Freedom, and Flower Power ISBN 978-0-7660-3135-7. LC 2008042996.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1970s Decade in Photos: Protest and Change ISBN 978-0-7660-3136-4. LC 2008042998.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1980s Decade in Photos: The Triumph of Democracy ISBN 978-0-7660-3137-1. LC 2008052627.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 1990s Decade in Photos: The Rise of New Technology ISBN 978-0-7660-3138-8. LC 2008054648.
CORRIGAN, Jim. The 2000s Decade in Photos: A New Millennium ISBN 978-0-7660-3139-5. LC 2008054644. ea vol: 64p. (Amazing Decades in Photos Series). photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Enslow 2010. PLB $27.93.
Gr 4-8–Large, well-chosen black-and-white and color photos are the strongest elements of these books, which each offer approximately 20 chapters covering economics, politics, wars, science, and popular culture. The focus is on U.S. history, but world events that influenced America are also discussed. Captions provide specific information about the photos and supplement, rather than repeat, information in the narratives. Attractive and readable, this series will be popular with browsers and beginning researchers.
ETHEREDGE, Laura S., ed. Islamic History ISBN 978-1-61530-021-1. LC 2009037874.KUIPER, Kathleen, ed. Islamic Art, Literature, and Culture ISBN 978-1-61530-019-8. LC 2009037976.
STEFON, Matt, ed. Islamic Beliefs and Practices map. ISBN 978-1-61530-017-4. LC 2009038290. ea vol: 189p. (The Islamic World Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. CIP. Britannica Educational Apr. 2010. PLB $35.
Gr 11 Up–This British-published set is weakened by weighty theological discussions, overuse of Arabic words, and overly dense prose. The titles are admiring of Islam. Although History and Art provide adequate material, they are dry and often difficult to follow. Beliefs and Practices is the best of the group. However, in all three titles, black sidebars with gray print are difficult to read, poorly reproduced photos and illustrations add little to the text, and, aside from one grainy offering in Beliefs and Practices, there are no maps to help readers with locations. Only the most advanced secondary students will find these books readable or helpful.
GIFFORD, Clive Food and Cooking in Ancient Egypt ISBN 978-1-61532-337-1. LC 2009024058.GIFFORD, Clive. Food and Cooking in Ancient Greece ISBN 978-1-61532-338-8. LC 2009024201.
GIFFORD, Clive. Food and Cooking in Ancient Rome ISBN 978-1-61532-339-5. LC 2009024202.
GIFFORD, Clive. Food and Cooking in Viking Times ISBN 978-1-61532-354-8. LC 2009024071. ea vol: illus. by Paul Cherrill. 32p. (Cooking in World Cultures Series). illus. map. photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. Apr. 2010. PLB $25.25.
Gr 4-6–These British imports open with a brief introduction to the specific civilization and then describe the foods that were available to its people, explain how they were prepared and eaten, and examine each culture’s food-related rituals. They also provide about six recipes that have been adapted for use with modern ingredients. Most of them require fairly advanced preparation and cooking skills such as chopping and broiling, and safety warnings are minimal. The elementary reading levels and topic coverage and the more advanced skill levels of the recipes are not well matched, which will limit the books’ audience.
HARRIS, Joseph The 1980s ISBN 978-1-84837-284-9. LC 2009000008.HARRIS, Nathaniel The 1960s ISBN 978-1-84837-282-5. LC 2009000006.
HARRIS, Nathaniel. The 1970s ISBN 978-1-84837-283-2. LC 2009000007.
HARRISON, Paul The 1950s ISBN 978-1-84837-281-8. LC 2009000005.
ROONEY, Anne The 1990s ISBN 978-1-84837-285-6. LC 2009000009. ea vol: 48p. (Dates of a Decade Series). photos. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Arcturus 2010. PLB $32.80.
Gr 5-8–Adapted from British titles, each of the books in this set includes 21 spreads covering events that occurred or began on specific dates. Topics are international in perspective and include politics, music, wars, technology, science, and famous people. The first 18 overviews are in chronological order, but the last 3 are out of order and appear to have been added for American appeal. All have primary-source excerpts, in-text further readings lists, and average-quality photos. The confusing format and sometimes obscure topics (“The Louvre 'Pyramid’ Opens” in 1980s, “Biafra Breaks Away from Nigeria” in 1960s) make this set of little value to most U.S. readers.
HICKS, Peter Documenting the Industrial Revolution ISBN 978-1-4358-9670-3. LC 2009025862.HICKS, Peter. Documenting Women’s Suffrage ISBN 978-1-4358-9672-7. LC 2009026076.
STEELE, Philip Documenting Slavery and Civil Rights ISBN 978-1-4358-9671-0. LC 2009025863.
STEELE, Philip. Documenting World War I ISBN 978-1-4358-9673-4. LC 2009026077. ea vol: 48p. (Documenting History Series). map. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen Central Apr. 2010. PLB $26.50.
Gr 5-8–Published in Britain, these books examine their topics as part of British history, but include some information about the United States. Each one provides objectively written background, an overview, and discussion of the topic’s lasting impact. “Source” sidebars excerpt primary-source documents or analyze period illustrations, maps, editorial cartoons, and photos. Additional photos supplement the texts. The series’ British focus will narrow its American audience, making it an additional choice for libraries that need materials written from an international perspective.
HOSCH, William L., ed. The Korean War and the Vietnam War: People, Politics, and Power 228p. ISBN 978-1-61530-011-2. LC 2009036105.HOSCH, William L., ed. World War I: People, Politics, and Power 234p. charts. ISBN 978-1-61530-013-6. LC 2009033707.
HOSCH, William L., ed. World War II: People, Politics, and Power 260p. charts. ISBN 978-1-61530-008-2. LC 2009033541.
WALLENFELDT, Jeff, ed. The American Civil War and Reconstruction: People, Politics, and Power 262p. ISBN 978-1-61530-007-5. LC 2009033551.
WALLENFELDT, Jeff, ed. The American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812: People, Politics, and Power 239p. ISBN 978-1-61530-022-8. LC 2009038296. ea vol: (America at War Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. glossary. index. CIP. Britannica Educational Apr. 2010. PLB $49.
Gr 10 Up-This series offers overviews of America’s wars in chapters such as “Precursors to the Korean War” and “The Stalemate Breaks, 1918,” followed by brief, alphabetically arranged biographical sketches of military and political leaders. Although the books discuss the wars’ causes, battles, and outcomes and provide objective coverage of controversial military and political subjects, their main focus is on military strategies and battlefield action, which occasionally makes for dry reading. There are no maps, a significant weakness, but sidebars, primary-source excerpts, and average-quality black-and-white photos and illustrations supplement the texts. While these volumes will not replace the many existing titles, they will be helpful to report writers.
SAMUELS, Charlie Timeline of the Classical World ISBN 978-1-4339-3480-3. LC 2009037151.SAMUELS, Charlie. Timeline of the Colonial World ISBN 978-1-4339-3495-7. LC 2009042093.
SAMUELS, Charlie. Timeline of the Industrial Revolution ISBN 978-1-4339-3492-6. LC 2009042094.
SAMUELS, Charlie. Timeline of the Middle Ages ISBN 978-1-4339-3483-4. LC 2009037152.
SAMUELS, Charlie. Timeline of the Muslim World ISBN 978-1-4339-3489-6. LC 2009041579.
SAMUELS, Charlie. Timeline of the Renaissance ISBN 978-1-4339-3486-5. LC 2009041582. ea vol: 48p. (History Highlights Series). illus. maps. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Gareth Stevens Apr. 2010. RTE $31.
Gr 5-8–Following a short preface, these overviews provide horizontal time lines for significant worldwide events, color-coded by region, and vertical time lines that list happenings related to chapter topics on most pages. These are complemented by narratives arranged in 10 four- to six-page chapters that discuss noteworthy events and people, and outstanding illustrations, including period art, photos, and informative maps and cutaway drawings. Unfortunately, the books’ large font size and limited background and topic coverage are suitable for students in the lower level of the grade range, but reading levels are higher, making these titles supplemental options for most collections.
The Bottom Line
Enslow’s “Amazing Decades in Photos” and their “True Stories of Teens in the Holocaust,” Capstone’s “Fact Finders: Disgusting History,” and Britannica Educational’s “Turning Points in History” all successfully answer the “So what?” question and will attract and hold the attention of student readers and researchers. The books of Compass Point’s “The World Transformed” and their “Taking a Stand,” Stargazer’s “All About Ancient Peoples,” Rosen’s “World War II: Essential Histories” and their “Ancient Communities: Rome,” and Britannica Educational’s “America at War” all do a creditable job of explaining history to readers, but their topics have been extensively covered in extant series and stand-alone titles, making them supplemental choices for most report writers. Rosen’s “Ancient Art and Cultures,” which was originally published in Italy, has high reading levels for the intended audience and an overly busy layout, and it will have trouble attracting a readership. Rosen’s “Cooking in World Cultures” is weakened by a mismatch between the easy text and fairly complex recipes and a shortage of safety warnings. Britannica Educational’s “The Islamic World,” with its uneven writing quality and high reading levels, will be beyond the reach of all but the most advanced high school students.
