Simultaneously presenting Revolutionary War people and events in both alphabetical and—roughly—chronological order, Crawford pulls off a neat trick that compensates, at least in part, for the artificiality of it all. Between “A is for American Revolution” and “Z is for Betty Zane” (a heroine of one of the war’s final battles), she introduces prominent figures like Washington and Jefferson, such lesser lights as Henry Knox, Molly Pitcher and Lydia Darragh, several battles, the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell and Old Glory—the last properly attributed to Francis Hopkinson rather than Betsy Ross. The brief comments for each entry are seldom so revealing, however, and Hierstein’s watercolor figures tend toward the generic, without much individuality of expression. Not the first word on the subject by any means, nor the last, but this once-over merits a spot in the middle somewhere—as a quick topical review, maybe. (Nonfiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-58980-515-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Pelican
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2009
Markle’s newest in the series pairs typically dramatic photos to an oddly disjointed text. Darting abruptly from Egypt to Argentina to Europe and back, the author explains how a tiny endoscope, a portable x-ray set up inside a pyramid, and a huge spiral tomography scanner are being used, along with other devices and techniques, to find clues to the lives, deaths, medical histories and environments of mummies worldwide. The identities of her examples sometimes shift confusingly from one paragraph to the next, however, and in at least one case the accompanying photo doesn’t match. Furthermore, there’s a step or two missing from the closing crafts project, which invites readers to create a “mummy” apple. Though this does provide an enticing glimpse of science in action, and the close-up mummy pictures will elicit the predictable wows, it isn’t among the author’s best work. (glossary, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 0-8027-8966-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Walker
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A superficial sweep past changing fashions in defensive walls, from Ancient Egypt to the Strategic Defense Initiative, filled out with glances at siege engines, body armor and tanks. Except for the 19th-century Martello Towers, which were built throughout the British Empire as coastal defenses, the examples are covered in more accurate (no, the Great Wall of China is not the only human artifact visible from space, nor is SDI a dead concept) detail elsewhere. Moreover, the generic painted illustrations aren’t going to draw or keep readers familiar with the likes of Stephen Biesty’s Castles (2004) for long. Dispensable. (Nonfiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2005
ISBN: 1-55037-888-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Firefly
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2005
BOOK REVIEW
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