The History Puzzle: How We Know What We Know About the Past (Exceptional Social Studies Titles for Upper Grades)

Beller, Susan Provost

ISBN 10: 0761328777 ISBN 13: 9780761328773

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books, 2006

Synopsis

Learn about the detective work that historians use to better understand our past, including the mysteries of the Stone Age, Herculaneum and Pompeii, Noah's Ark, the Great Wall of China, the legend of King Arthur, and more.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8 Beller looks at more than 20 historical sites or archaeological excavations, from the World Trade Center to Olduvai Gorge, from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975 to Noah's Ark, in order to present the varying interpretations of history and how they have been colored by tradition, socioeconomic factors, and religious beliefs. Objectively written chapters are brief, leaving readers longing for more detail and more depth and this may be the greatest strength of the book. Teachers can use this text to introduce social studies content in research formats. Frequent, well-placed sepia-toned photographs and period reproductions serve to enhance the text, and the source notes, further reading, and list of Web sites give students an ample list of resources for further study. A small quibble is the identification in a picture caption of the Easter Island hieroglyphics, called Rongorongo, as the language of the Etruscans but this hardly mars the worth of the book as both an introduction to a fascinating field and as a curriculum guide. Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. Archaeology plays a prominent role in many of the 19 chapters in Beller's investigation of how historical facts are discovered and conjectured. Intriguing topics such as the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the identity of King Arthur are used as examples. Beller writes concisely, but her relatively short chapters allow limited space to explore each topic. The book includes black-and-white illustrations, warmed with sepia tones, photos, and a few period paintings. Though the subject is intriguing, the format is lackluster, and the discussion lacks the spark needed to fire enthusiasm in many readers. However, given the scarcity of books that lead young people to question the sources of historical facts and to appreciate the value of seeking different points of view, this will be a useful addition. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0761328777
• ISBN 13: 9780761328773
• Binding: Library Binding
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128