United Arab Emirates

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-This attractive title enhanced with full-color photographs provides everything that most students need for a basic understanding of the country. The presentation begins with an interesting overview of this 31-year-old nation and covers its climate; the flora, the fauna, and the environment; the human history from 6000 B.C.E. to Nintendo; the politics and governing of such a conglomerate of emirates; the diverse population and the changing role of women; education, culture, and sport; the vital importance of Islam; and the overwhelming influence of oil in all aspects of modern life. Because of the book's comprehensible, admiring, and friendly tone, it is easy to extract needed information from it. Relevant sidebars, useful maps, a time line, current facts in brief, and the national flag are included. A solid addition for most collections.-Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.