Pueblo

Gr 2–4—This series uses full-color imagery and concise writing to create vibrant, engaging introductions to the native peoples of North America. Each chapter covers a key concept: tribe origin, daily life, gender roles, religious beliefs, and ceremonies. The illustrations are a mix of photographs, maps, and drawings, all of which are suitably captioned. Challenging or topical words such as migrate and sovereignty appear in bold font in the text and are defined in the glossary. Because the authors focus mainly on the rich histories and accomplishments of the tribes, the overall tone is one of optimism. However, the authors do include facts that touch on more somber aspects of tribal history and life, such as poverty on the reservations and forced assimilation. In some of the titles, the mention of specific organizations and movements dedicated to improving life for native people is a refreshing addition.