Crop Circles

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-These slim, introductory titles have generously spaced layouts, numerous colorful graphics, and substantial information. Circles presents a brief history of the phenomenon since the early 20th century, with attention given to all the standard speculations about how these designs have been created. Common characteristics and odd features discovered by cereologists are described. Photographs depict the range of formations, from simple circles of bent-over grain stalks to huge, extremely elaborate fractal patterns. This book concentrates on the most prolific area, southern England, but does mention that crop designs have been found in more than 26 countries. Chris Oxlade's The Mystery of Crop Circles (Heinemann Library, 1999) has a larger, more colorful, more exciting format, but only two resources, while Burns appends an annotated further reading list of books and Web sites. In Stonehenge, informative color photographs and computer-generated illustrations aid visualization of theories presented. Current theories about Stonehenge's purpose and how it was constructed with only primitive tools are explained in satisfactory detail. A well-annotated further reading list of books, documentary videos and DVDs, and authoritative Web sites is included. This volume is more attractive than Wendy Mass's Stonehenge (Gale, 1998), which presents issues related to the area's importance as a tourist attraction and designation as a World Heritage Site in addition to the usual questions. David Souden's Stonehenge Revealed (Facts On File, 1997) goes into greater depth describing related archaeological discoveries and offers information on many other megalithic structures worldwide.-Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.