Anasazi [Library Binding]

Leonard Everett Fisher (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Archaeologists and anthropologists still ponder even the most basic questions about the plight of the Anasazi, an ancient Native American civilization of the Southwest U.S. In this book, Leonard Everett Fisher pieces together both the history and the mystery of these mysterious ancient peoples.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5. As he has often done before, Fisher has created unique and striking monochrome paintings to illustrate his interpretation of a historical event?in this case, the extended period of Anasazi occupation of the Four Corners area. His writing is interesting and flows well. Unfortunately, both the words and pictures contain inaccuracies, and some of the theories presented are no longer considered correct (e.g., it is now accepted that pit houses are almost impossible to burn, although some may have been intentionally destroyed). On occasion, the information is technically correct, but the wording is misleading. (It may be true that pit houses were the first shelter built by the Anasazi, but they were not the first form of shelter to be utilized by them.) For the sake of accuracy, pass on this book.?Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Fisher (Niagara Falls, 1996, etc.) admirably cobbles together a picture of Anasazi life from the mere fragments of culture that have weathered the centuries. The Anasazi civilization grew and flourished in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest for over a thousand years. Then, abruptly, about 700 years ago they left their traditional haunts and vanished into history. Fisher explains the development of Anasazi weaving, pottery, and toolmaking, speculates on their shift from hunter-gatherers to mesa farmers, and details the evolution of their architecture from pithouses to log-and-pole structures, to complex pueblos (one had 1,826 rooms), and finally to the glorious sandstone-block cliff houses that continue to mesmerize visitors today. Relevant terms are introduced, and a fascinating time chart alerts readers to what was happening elsewhere on the globe during the years of the Anasazi: Irish monks were toiling on the Book of Kells, chess was invented in India, Eric the Red sailed to Greenland, Cambridge University started up in England. Moody sepia illustrations, with highly contrasted areas of light and shadow, lend an ancient feel and just the right note of mystery. (map, chronology) (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-9) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689807376
• ISBN-13: 978-0689807374
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,085,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Anasazi, October 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Anasazi (Library Binding)

I highly recommend this book for children. This book has great artwork. You can discover alot about the Anasazi by looking at the pictures. The pictures are in earth/clay tones. The story is very good too. It is very acurate. I have read many books about the Anasazi tribe and this is one of my favorites. It is for a third grade or above reading level.