Castle (Fast Forward (Barrons)) [Hardcover]

Peter Dennis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001 | Age Level: 7 and up | Series: Fast Forward (Barrons)

A typical English castle is shown starting in the year 600 B.C., when it was a rudimentary stockaded enclosure and tiny village settlement intended to house and protect Celtic farmers and craftsmen. Fast forward to A.D. 100. Now, it's a handsome Roman fort and settlement with stone walls and tile roofs. A thousand years later, it becomes a Norman castle, which undergoes a seige by enemies, followed by several more dramatic transformations during the medieval and later eras. In the final spread we see the great castle's ruins as they stand today, explored by tourists, examined by archaeologists—and perhaps haunted by a ghost or two. Fast Forward Books are lots of fun! They transform distant events of history into very real, dramatically vivid experiences for young readers. Each title covers one specific place, then, using a series of handsome color-illustrated two-page spreads, shows that place at different times over many centuries. Tabs on page edges label illustrations with a succession of identifying dates, with the final spread showing the title subject's location as it exists today.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-Vividly illustrated interactive books. In both, 12 spreads feature a large, labeled illustration and two or three paragraphs of text. The spreads are tabbed with a notation such as "Two hours later" or "200 years later." In Shipwreck, readers can choose to jump from the opening scene in the 1630s (the building of a galleon) to a year later (pirates approach the sailing vessel) or to the 1830s (the remains of the ship have become part of a coral reef at the bottom of the ocean), among other dates and times. Castle covers a much broader period, from 600 B.C.E. to today. Readers will enjoy the details of the many illustrations including the one of a wild banquet in the 13th century. One weakness of these books is that after changing scenes, readers are not reminded of what historic period they have turned to. Also, occasionally more explanation would help (for example, the purpose of sweet-scented herbs on the floor of the castle's banquet hall). These books don't tell the whole story but they will whet youngsters' appetites for more on the subjects.
Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764153099
• ISBN-13: 978-0764153099
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 10.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,755,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for learning and imagination, January 11, 2004

By 

K. Craig (Stone Mountain, GA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Castle (Fast Forward (Barrons)) (Hardcover)

We got this for our five year old son and he asked us to read it again and again. As we approach his sixth birthday, I noticed that he had gotten in out when he woke up early and was just buried in it for about an hour. He can answer questions about castle building and historical references, and incorporates what he learns from the book when he's building sand castles and legos.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kid and adult can read and enjoy together, January 12, 2008

By 

Sam Smith (Holland, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Castle (Fast Forward (Barrons)) (Hardcover)

These books are terrific. We have Castle, Volcano, Earthquake, Transportation. They are all well illustrated and well written. We have kids of different ages. They are all interested, from age 2 to teens and adults. Very few books are like that.