Archimedes (Great Names) [Library Binding]

Susan Keating (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-An entertaining biography of a fascinating figure, but one that is severely flawed. The story is presented as a diary kept by Cicero when he was sent to govern Sicily. In it, the great Roman orator and statesman searches Sicily for traces of his hero: Archimedes. Each spread is set up as a kind of mini-chapter. A few paragraphs of faux Cicero face a delightful cartoonlike illustration. The watercolor-and-ink drawings are beautifully detailed and bring the story whatever verve and joyous life it has, while the text basically provides information. Certainly this book is a pleasant way to introduce a great thinker and inventor to children, but one is left to ponder the facts as they are presented. How do readers know how much, if any, of this material is based on truth or is simply the product of literary invention? There is no bibliography or even a note listing a few sources. Children deserve more by way of research and documentation, not to mention teachers and parents who may have their own curiosity piqued by this cheery and rather attractive volume.
Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Mason Crest Publishers (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590841522
• ISBN-13: 978-1590841525
• Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple story with good illustrations, April 22, 2011

By 

IIJuan12 (Sugar Land, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Archimedes (Great Names) (Library Binding)

I'm reading Archimedes and the Door of Science (Living History Library) with my 8 year old son, and got this book to read with my younger children as well. It's a more simplistic rendering of Archimedes. It has fun illustrations that keep the attention of even my 3 year old. As the review above mentions, it does not include a bibliography, which is a shame as I'd love to find out which resources the author used so that we can determine which stories are true and which were added to make the story a bit more fun.