This a solid book with traditionally reliable structure that asks upper elementary school students to read somewhat deeply about a comprehensive set of topics important to Liberia. Well-organized chapters, headings, and subheadings, filled with not a few complex sentences, deliver integrated information about this relatively young nation’s unusual founding, rich biodiversity, desire for liberty and unity, spiritual priorities, and culture that emphasizes family and community. Young readers with a modern sensibility may overlook Liberia’s fascinating culture and history because of the text’s slow pace and muted format. The neutral tone may be intentional, however, since the text does an excellent job addressing real and difficult issues in a very non-alarming manner. Tricky topics include: recent wars, slavery, and socio-economic inequalities. The inspiring story of current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a bright spot readers cannot miss. Her peaceable, practical approach to leading Liberia will engage and inspire most anyone. Speaking of practical, the book includes a succinct timeline that maps Liberian history to World History, three pages of Fast Facts, a handful of references for further learning (including Scholastic’s own web page on Liberia), and a trim but replete index. Photos are well-placed and enhance the text. Graphics are sufficiently appealing and support the narrative. More photos or graphics might have helped streamline the oddly long and redundant sidebars. The Meet the Author section, a regular element in the “Enchantment of the World” series, can also serve as an interesting career profile for students to consider. Reviewer: Katie Engen; Ages 10 to 14.
