The Great Wall of China

Gr 6–8—Buildings that have captured the hearts, minds, and imaginations of their respective builders and visitors for centuries and have become emblematic of their cultures are featured in these titles. The colorful and dramatic historical, political, and social forces underlying their construction are well explained. The slim volumes capture the period in which the structures were created and help readers understand why they are still important and relevant today. Students will glean many useful and fascinating facts about the actual construction processes. Especially noteworthy are the well-written titles about the Globe Theater, which will be useful for units on Shakespearean literature, Elizabethan history, and drama; and about the World Trade Center, which will supplement studies on New York City and current political and social movements. The writing in The Great Wall is not as felicitous as in the other titles, and a pronunciation guide in this work, as in Eiffel Tower, would have been helpful. All four books include time lines, though their layouts are confusing; words defined in context, but not always on the page on which they first appear; and lists of fast facts.—Carol Goldman, Queens Library, NY