The Holocaust

November 1, 2011

Gr 8 Up-Each book features a somewhat off-topic foreword that does little to help introduce the series and a useful pictorial time line to show important events that are later explained in detail. The volumes on the ancient and medieval world work well as a set, delineating a single geographic region's development over a specific era. Holocaust covers a much narrower period but provides context to the events of World War II that reach back to the anti-Semitic writings of Martin Luther. Decade of the 2000s is U.S.-centric, though it covers major events of violence and natural disaster across the globe, and does an excellent job of providing information, in brief, on politics, pop culture, and science and technology. The pair on the Middle Ages are written with enthusiasm for the time period, making a supposedly dark period of history more intriguing.

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
These books give useful background on important periods of modern history. Holocaust presents a clear, concise account of the atrocities committed by the Nazis against Jews and other groups leading up to and during World War II. Decade recounts major events in the very recent past: 9/11, recessions, natural disasters, etc. Sidebars and photographs enhance the readable texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)