Mesa Verde

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

Part of the "Visiting the Past" series, this attractive volume introduces young readers to the famous cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, in southern Colorado. Twelve brief chapters, enhanced by many color photos and drawings, present basic information about the history and lifeways of the people of Mesa Verde, the Ancestral Puebloans (sometimes called the Anasazi). A final chapter offers some possible answers to the question, "Why did they go?" and describes the ruins today. An index, glossary, timeline, maps and further reading section are included. 2000, Heinemann Library, Ages 9 to 13, $24.22. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Succinct and readable introductions to archaeological sites. Little is in print specifically on Carisbrooke Castle and this book provides a look at this early stronghold on the Isle of Wight. The book covers the period from the castle's beginnings shortly after the Norman invasion to its restoration in 1896. Shuter discusses castle construction, advances in warfare, the re-fortification and use of the site over the centuries, and more. Numerous full-color photos and an occasional drawing illustrate the text. Mesa Verde describes the structures and probable lifestyle of the "Ancestral Puebloans" (ca. A.D. 500 to A.D. 1292). Topics such as clothing, beliefs, trade, farming, and tools are discussed. Close-up color shots with thorough explanations in the captions highlight the basic text. This title will be especially useful in rounding out holdings on Native American peoples. Neither book is a definitive text, but both provide good introductory information in a pleasing format.-Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|