Ancient Greece

June 1, 2016

Gr 3-5-Presented in very short chapters, this kid-friendly glimpse into ancient Greece covers a variety of aspects, from politics, religion, the arts, philosophy, and everyday life to Greece's lasting contributions to modern society. The book attempts to engage young readers by presenting history in an appealing format. The cartoonlike art is entertaining and full of appeal. However, the visuals are not enough to carry the book, and the absence of an index and other common nonfiction attributes limits its usefulness for reports, making this a pleasure read. In addition, a brief retelling of the myth of Pandora's box names Epimetheus, not Pandora, as the one responsible for opening the forbidden box-an odd change from the more widely circulated version. With that in mind, the accuracy of the rest of the book is brought into question, especially considering that the most recent print source listed in the bibliography was published 12 years ago. Those seeking an entertaining approach to nonfiction should look for Will Osborne's "Magic Tree House Fact Tracker," Ken Jenning's "Junior Genius Guides," or Grosset & Dunlap's "What Was/Who Was" series. VERDICT A dated and questionably accurate account of life in ancient Greece, easily surpassed by other material currently available.-Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2016
Grades 2-4 Elementary-school readers looking to get the gist of some of history's great civilizations without being bombarded by dates and figures will be well served by the approachable Blast Back! series. Admirably comprehensive in their scope, both titles provide a historic overview that touches on when a civilization existed, its geography and climate, government, religion, daily life, medical practices, lasting contributions to human society, architectural achievements, and significant persons and deities. Cartoonlike line drawings appear on nearly every page, and the large-type font ensures younger readers won't be overwhelmed by the text. Though loosely drawn maps appear in both volumes, readers may need to consult a modern map to truly grasp where these civilizations were located. Ancient Greece explains the purpose of city-states and introduces readers to many of the great scientists and intellectuals of the time, such as Hippocrates, Socrates, and Herodotus. The invention of drama and the Olympic Games is also highlighted. Ohlin explains vocabulary in-text and at times directly addresses readers, inviting them to imagine living in these distant societies. These friendly overviews will serve as great jumping-off points for more in-depth learning.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)