School Library Journal

11/01/2017
Gr 8 Up—A biography series aimed at more mature and confident readers. Though illustrations are common and sidebar texts occur throughout, the primary narratives are laid out in long, largely unbroken blocks. Discussion sometimes considers sourcing, offering insight, for example, into the difficulty of finding primary source material on Aztec culture. The images that complement the narratives are contemporary photographs of extant ruins and art objects as well as reproductions of paintings and engravings, both contemporaneous and from later periods. Joan of Arc includes an image of her signature, a welcome personal touch. Maps are clearly annotated and well placed. Back matter contains suggestions for further reading, in addition to a comprehensive bibliography. Brief sidebar articles clarify related topics, providing a portrait of the Chinese historian Sima Qian or a summary of a recent monograph about Hannibal. VERDICT Highly recommended for world history studies, particularly in high schools.