South Africa Eow2 (Enchantment of the World) [Library Binding]

Ettagle Blauer (Author), Laura E. Jason (Author), Jason Laure (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998 | Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Enchantment of the World

This series meets National Curriculum Standard for: Social Studies: Culture Global Connections People, Places, & Environments Production, Distribution, & Consumption Time, Continuity, & Change

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-10-Blauer and Laure begin with a simple account of Nelson Mandela's release from prison and the hopes it engendered and emphasize life since majority rule. The chapter on history, however, is curiously old-fashioned, beginning only with the coming of Europeans. South Africa in Pictures (Lerner, 1996) better reveals the historical role of Africans and the resistance of 19th-century African kingdoms to the encroaching Europeans. Nonetheless, key themes emerge: the competition for land and resources among whites and between whites and blacks; the impact of racial discrimination; the struggle of black Africans for freedom; and the diversity of South African society. Foster's book opens with a fictional description of a Kuwaiti brother and sister during the Iraqi invasion and closes with their imagined present-day lives, which is problematic in a book offered as nonfiction. While there are some errors of fact, superficial analyses of Islam and the divisions between families, classes, and nationalities are more significant. Almost a fifth of the book is consumed by the Gulf War. Compared to earlier titles in the series, both books are easier to read, the maps are simpler, and more of the illustrations are in full color.
Loretta Kreider Andrews, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Originally published in 1986, this newly revised title in the Enchantment of the World series discusses the huge changes in South Africa, from apartheid to the present transformation. In 1980 Blauer and Laure coauthored the breakthrough photo-essay South Africa: Coming of Age under Apartheid, so it's no surprise that they root their candid commentary on the present scene in an accurate, in-depth history. Along with discussing the role of Nelson Mandela and the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the authors consider religion, sports, literature, music, and much more, making clear that despite the changeover, huge economic inequalities still exist, as do problems such as AIDS, unemployment, and crime. Well-chosen, beautifully reproduced full-color photographs, clear maps, a time line, and "fast facts" complete the handsomely designed, readable package. Unfortunately, there are no notes and only a brief bibliography. For more on South Africa, pull out Rob Bowden's The Changing Face of South Africa (2002) and Benjamin Pogrund's Nelson Mandela (2004). Other revised series entries include Iraq and Taiwan.Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Library Binding edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 144 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press (CT) (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516206060
• ISBN-13: 978-0516206066
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,677,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Geography

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