Classical Athens

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Arranged like guidebooks, these colorfully illustrated titles provide a "you-are-there" approach, leading readers through three European cities, discussing shopping, entertainment, religion, points of architectural interest, and lifestyles. Each book concludes with contemporary photographs and a historical overview. The series' usefulness is severely limited by unfamiliar and undefined vocabulary (particularly architectural and religious terms); illustrations that omit or contradict items mentioned in the text; internal inconsistencies; and repetition. None of the titles give the approximate year of the "trip," the cities' populations, or the modern equivalent of coins. The maps that are presented are incomplete, and there are no contemporary maps for comparison. Finally, the translation from Italian is sometimes awkward and condescending.-Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.