Editorials
School Library Journal
Gr 5-8
Though "Changing World" resembles the "Countries in Crisis" series (Rourke), a few simple differences in its organizational approach render its titles more accessible. Chapter headings are self-explanatory, providing a direct path from basic facts and history through social, political, economic, and (except in Iraq and Israel ), environmental changes to current issues and future challenges. Straightforward text is accompanied by high-quality photographs, which capture both the beauty and turmoil of each country, and by boxed features such as brief case studies, e.g., "The Pashtuns" in Afghanistan, and discussions of issues such as the road map for peace in the Middle East in Israel . Afghanistan acknowledges that many of that country's warlords were funded by the U.S. to oppose the Taliban, and that relationships between Afghanis and foreign troops are strained. The U.S. occupation is less an emphasis in this title than in Iraq, which devotes much more space to its responsibility for the country's current state of affairs. The clear, direct text stumbles at times in slightly confusing statements concerning the status of freedom of religion in China and primary education in Iran, but overall the series breaks down difficult issues into easily digestible explanations.