From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8 Hook's summary of the life of Sitting Bull covers the basic facts from the 14 year old on his first raid to his death at the hands of Indian police in just eight pages. The remainder of the book attempts to summarize the history and life style of the Plains Indians. A brief note defends the use of ``Indian'' instead of the preferred ``native American.'' There is also brief coverage of the arrival of the ``white man'' and his move West, life on the Plains, and finally the wars and defeats leading to the problems of today. The color illustrations, which appear on every page, depict historic events and tribal customs deftly and with realistic accuracy. Among the innumerable other accounts of native Americans, this is useful for its attractiveness and brief sections of quick information. Faith Knoop's Sitting Bull (Dillon, 1974) gives a more complete biographical treatment and includes many photographs. China and Chinese history are alien to most young readers and therefore difficult to cover the subject briefly but clearly. Rowland-Entwistle summarizes the life, travels, and teaching of Confucius in 17 pages. Then he goes back in time to relate Chinese history from earliest days to the Han dynasty in segments of one or two pages. Final sections discuss daily life and the arts and crafts of the times. Realistic color illustrations and some photographs show contemporary clothing, buildings, and artifacts. Because of the book's brevity and the mass of new information here, this title will be confusing to most young readers. Students can find facts here, but they'll do better with Knox' Ancient China (Warwick Pr, 1979; o.p.). Sylvia S. Marantz, Wellington School, Columbus, Ohio
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
