Aztec

Children's Literature

This book is part of the "Native American Peoples" series covering groups from Mexico to Canada. The Aztecs were one of the great civilizations of the pre-Columbian Americas and it is not easy to treat their culture in a book of 32 pages, but this book does a creditable job. Chapter One deals with the origins of the Aztecs as described in their own legends and touches on their language grouping. Chapter Two describes the history of the Aztecs before, during and after the first Spanish contact. Chapter Three gives a brief picture of Aztec society and culture, including their religion, and chapter four looks at the role of the descendants of the Aztecs in Mexico today. The book is well illustrated with maps, scenes from Aztec codices, or picture-writing books, Aztec art forms, and photographs. At the end of the book is a time line, a glossary, a guide to more resources, and an activities section. This should make a good introduction to Aztec culture for children who are encountering it for the first time. 2004, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 9 to 12.
—Wesley Jernigan