Machu Picchu: The Lost Civilization

November 1, 2017

Gr 3-6-Photographs are the standout element in this set, which takes readers to the ghostly remains of deserted places. The images include both panoramic shots and detailed close-ups. Each chapter is about five pages in length, and introduces the topic location, how and why it was settled, an account of its heyday, reasons for its eventual abandonment, and contemporary efforts to understand and/or preserve it. Some locations are well-known, but most will be new to readers, which is a plus. This set taps into people's ongoing fascination with the remains of the past and shows readers the often fleeting nature of settled locations. VERDICT For all elementary and middle schools.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018
Grades 3-6 The Abandoned Places series takes readers to historical and more modern locales that, though once occupied, have been deserted. Each volume opens in second person, plunging readers into these often-eerie new worlds, before continuing on to discuss why each place was originally inhabited and eventually abandoned. The focus is primarily economic: most of these towns were founded on industry. Mystery surrounds the ancient Mayans, who had no written language, and Machu Picchu speculates about the creation and eventual abandonment of these mountain ruins. Crisp photos pop against brightly colored backgrounds, while brief, clear text makes this accessible for younger readers. Time lines help students contextualize the events, and open endings prompt discussion about the places themselves and the circumstances surrounding their fates.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)