The Panama Canal

Gr 5–8—These titles offer clear and fast-paced narrative accounts of the events. Each one involves people who encountered great danger. They faced widespread disease (Panama Canal), a terrorist mastermind (Bin Laden), and an oppressive government (Massacre). Many died. Bin Laden is the most current topic and no doubt will prove instantly popular. Massacre and Panama Canal, however, are just as exciting. The authors point out when the history is a bit fuzzy. Exactly how Bin Laden was killed in not officially known, for example. Side boxes include eyewitness accounts, contemporary views from abroad, and brief biographies. Photographs are abundant, and indexes are extensive. The cover tag "Bringing History to Life" refers to a general Scholastic website where readers can type in keywords to get more information in video format. Excellent for research.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI