Understanding Mesoamerican Myths

Gr 5–7—This is an attractive and well-designed series. Unfortunately the strict format severely limits its function. Each book presents the same topics in exactly the same way. The self-contained spreads do not carry information over a page turn, which creates an abrupt, stilted style. Readers are given ruthlessly summarized versions of the myths and legends that neither inform nor inspire, and the explanations are likewise loose or poorly connected due to the space limitations. Native American Myths is the most egregious title, since it attempts to present the disparate mythologies of thousands of different tribes, a scope that is impossible to fulfill in a substantial way. In each volume, page seven includes a map regardless of whether or not it provides meaningful engagement with the text. In Mesoamerican Myths, it defines the lands and "sites" of the three main cultures addressed in the book: Olmec, Maya, and Aztec. No definition or explanation is given as to what these sites mean or why they occur outside a given culture's territory. In Native American Myths, it shows the main geographical regions of North America and indicates that, "Native peoples and tribes are usually referred to by region." However, the regional groups described in the text do not correspond with the legend on the map. Because it deals with a single culture, Norse Myths fares the best, but even so would be of little use to readers unless they were already familiar with the literature. Readers will gain little understanding of these myths here.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake, MN