Blitzkrieg!

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-- The back covers of these books state that ``the series examines major historical topics through a mixture of narrative and analysis of the key issues involved.'' What actually happens here is that mass confusion reigns. The narratives become hopelessly muddled by the bits and pieces of information that are tied together by numerous photos, maps, charts, and drawings. The quotations and documentation interspersed in boxes within the texts are too wordy and academic to be of much interest to the intended audience. In some cases, entire pages of text must be read in order to understand the accompanying maps. The contents are arranged by topics with two-page subtopics within each. Short biographical sketches of the leading figures appear at the end, leaving readers unfamiliar with the cast of characters until they finish the books. With all the material available on both world wars, these are not priority purchases.-- Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS