April 1, 2020
Gr 3-8-Colorful covers welcome readers to fictionalized stories about a child from the civilization and details about the history, culture, daily life, and demise of the civilization. A time line, along with comparison charts related to language, forms of government, religious practices, and education structures (plus sidebars) supplement the narrative. Civilizations from nearly every continent are covered. Each title contains information about the society's class structure. The people of each civilization are presented as accomplished; examples of ingenuity are included. The lasting impact and/or references to contemporary descendants are highlighted. Inconsistent captioning of photographs does a disservice to readers looking to learn more. A table of contents, photo credits, recommended reading, a link to recommended websites, and an index are featured in every book. VERDICT Criticisms aside, these titles contain useful information for research.
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
April 1, 2020
Grades 5-7 Though more comprehensive overviews of the lives and traditions of the Ancient Mayans exist, this entry in the Ancient Civilizations series (8 titles) provides a crisp snapshot of these Mesoamerican people. Clearly articulated chapters introduce the Maya and elaborate on their political systems, religious beliefs, artistic and technological achievements, and day-to-day lives, while a final section details how the civilization came to an end. Bold photographs of Mayan ruins are paired with artistic recreations of artifacts and art, and the text is broken up by time lines and charts. Vocabulary words, bolded and colored green, are defined in the back matter, which also contains additional print and online resources. Researchers looking for detail may be better served by Cause & Effect: The Ancient Maya (2017), but this works well as an entry-level volume or a starting point.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)