Pyramids: Opposing Viewpoints

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Both of these series entries feature well-rounded presentations of their subjects, including archaic, disproven, and fanatical viewpoints along with more recent or more accepted explanations. O'Neal describes how the pyramids were discovered and explored through the ages, and the theories people came up with to explicate the monuments' creation and function. The book includes many of the still unsolved questions, e.g., how the massive stones were positioned, and whether or not the pyramids were ever used as tombs. Witches adds an important slant to the plethora of teen books on the occult by discussing the prejudices and misogyny that led to the witch hunts in Europe and America. Most books published in the '60s and '70s don't take into account these viewpoints, which came about as women's history was re-examined through feminist eyes. Stein also discusses modern witchcraft and offers explanations as to how the ``science of magic'' has been passed down through the years. Both titles could use a face lift-the formats do little to advertise the quality of their contents. The black-and-white illustrations are clear, but ordinary.-Cathryn A. Camper, Minneapolis Public Library