Iraq

Children's Literature

This short, but information-packed book, encourages interpretations of editorial cartoons by calling on higher level thinking skills. A brief synopsis of the movement of the U.S. toward conflict with Iraq introduces the book, then different questions and issues, such as, "Why did the United States Go to War Against Iraq," are placed in historical context. Finally, each issue is illustrated by several cartoons and each cartoon's allusions to popular culture, such as visual references to the movie of Dr. Strangelove, and the political issue are elucidated. The text challenges readers to a deeper understanding of current political and diplomatic issues while presenting an even-handed picture of the causation and timeline of the current conflict in Iraq. A list of organizations to contact, by email or on the web, and a brief list of books and articles published since 1999 promote further study. This book is an excellent resource for high school classes on current political issues. 2004, Greenhaven Press/Thomson Gale, Ages 13 to 18.
—Elisabeth Greenberg