Geography Matters in Ancient Rome

April 1, 2015

Gr 4-8-Writing in a conversational question-and-answer format, Waldron uses geographical themes to frame the histories of these ancient civilizations and explain how geography influenced each one's rise, success, and eventual decline. The titles are made up of four-page chapters that begin with introductions to the people and location of each civilization, followed by information about how sites, natural resources, land use, and transportation influenced its social, political, and economic organization. Readers will also learn about daily life and the civilization's successes and legacies. Maps, high quality photos of locations and artifacts, period illustrations, and brief "Did You Know?" sidebars supplement the text. VERDICT There are countless extant titles about ancient societies, but this series offers a fresh perspective that will help young readers better understand the importance of geographical factors in their histories, making it a strong addition to middle school libraries.

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