Iran

Children's Literature

Greenblatt's Iran presents 8000 years of history and culture with clear explanations and broad strokes. The text is accessible and usable in the classroom. Greenblatt opens the door to this very other world and allows the reader to peek through. With so much information to convey it is surprising and helpful that the author includes small cultural oddities from the old myth of the volcano Demevand that spews the bad breath of an evil tyrant to a teenage girl's lament about her home country. Nor is the author shy about highlighting Iran's shameful history of depleting the environment. The chapter about Iranian history is extensive and worthwhile. Students may need help negotiating here. There is a good explanation of Islam and a disturbing, yet factual look at women. This is a particularly good text for grade and middle schoolers in the West to simultaneously learn something about another culture and something about themselves, namely the freedoms they enjoy. Even children of Persian descent can use this as a basic text about their homeland. Greenblatt ends with a comprehensive timeline. Titles and web sites are provided for more information. Teachers may want to provide generous classroom support to navigate through the many difficult topics presented. 2003, Children's Press/Scholastic,
— Elizabeth Colbroth

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-This comprehensive and well-researched series entry contains up-to-date information on population, politics, and religion. Each chapter has numerous full-color photos and sidebars. A "Fast Facts" appendix and "To Find Out More" listings that include excellent Internet sites will prove useful for reports. Greenblatt provides the right amount of facts and figures, along with the standard information about the country and its people. An attractive and well-written resource.-Carol Foreman, Elbert School, CO Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.