Maori

March 1, 2005
Gr 4-8 -While the peoples covered here are certainly worthy of study, these books read more like fairly decent term papers than material worth purchasing. The facts tend to be repeated several times throughout, and there is some discrepancy in the vocabulary used. In "Bushmen", for example, the author notes that the term "Bushman" is often considered an insulting term and yet it is used throughout. The strength here is the beautiful photos on every page that give readers a glimpse into the culture and life of these people. Considering that there is a real lack of nonfiction for young people addressing the history and daily lives of these indigenous groups, the books might fill a niche, and the glossaries and suggested Web sites could be used for further study. If your library has a significant need for materials that explore various cultures, you may want to overlook the flaws and invest in these titles." -Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA"

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