Stonehenge

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-Beginning with two small orientation maps that assume readers know that the monument is in England, Bernard and Malone start off with a lengthy chapter relating the myths and misconceptions about this mysterious circle of stones. Youngsters who have no context for understanding this information will find it confusing and disjointed. The authors promise to answer questions about why, how, and when Stonehenge was built, but they fail to offer many concrete answers. Six pages are devoted to sidebar discussions of scientific dating, megaliths, aerial discoveries, and an interview with Malone that adds little to understanding Stonehenge. The full-color illustrations, diagrams, and photographs are often small and it is sometimes unclear what viewers are supposed to see. The glossary is helpful but the further readings are almost entirely adult titles. There are few books available on the subject for this audience, but libraries may want to wait for a livelier, clearer presentation to add to their collections.-Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.