Native Peoples: Deep in the Amazon

Children's Literature

At one time over six million Indians lived in the region of the Amazon Basin. After Europeans came to the area a sharp drop in native population ensued. Diseases brought by the Europeans wreaked havoc with the Indian tribes. In other instances, native people were driven from their traditional lands or slaughtered by colonists searching for riches. Even today, Indians in this part of the world are hunted down and murdered by gold prospectors and other speculators intent upon gaining wealth from the Amazon rain forest. However, there remain several hundred thousand Indians who live within reach of the Amazon River. These people are a vibrant connection with their tribal histories. In some instances, they persist in a lifestyle that is essentially prehistoric in nature. Some Indians continue to hunt game with blowguns that fire curare-tipped darts. They make a living through fishing or hunting the animals of the rain forest. Their religious beliefs, customs and habits vary little from their distant ancestors. These residents of the Amazonian world are the main characters of James L. Castner's Native Peoples. Mr. Castner's six volume "Deep in the Amazon" series is designed to acquaint readers with the amazingly intricate world of that ecosystem. In this illustrated work Castner does an outstanding job of chronicling the lives of some of the human residents of this compelling world. Younger readers will find this a fact filled and engaging book worthy of their attention. 2002, Benchmark Books, $24.21. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck AGES: 10 11 12 13 14