Tracking Big Foot

April 1, 2020

Gr 3-6-Engrossing stories of archaeology and the supernatural are explored in "XBooks," written at a fourth grade reading level. Each book starts with a brief introduction in a narrative style, followed by five short informational chapters. One in-depth story, such as the discovery of the Lost City of Ubar or the Roswell UFO incident, is examined with thorough and detailed information, along with descriptions of similar happenings around the world. Each page features about three paragraphs, along with eye-catching page layouts that often use primary source images. While certain topics are sensationalistic, the stories are explored in an even handed tone and provide both evidence and counter evidence to each side. The "X Files" at the back of each book showcase interviews with experts in the field, labeled tools and charts, along with a glossary, an index, and further reading. VERDICT This entertaining look at peculiar incidents will appeal to striving readers at the middle school level.

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