Montezuma and the Aztecs (W5 Series) A Henry Holt Reference Book

An accurate and expanded view of Montezuma and the Aztecs is packed with fun and interesting information, from the origins of hot chocolate to the incredible quantities of gold present in the Aztec communities, as well as fascinating true stories from Aztec Mexico.

Grade 7 Up. Two series titles with chaotic presentations. Montezuma clarifies the differences between Aztec, Mayan, and Inca civilizations, and then discusses Aztec culture, the significance of human sacrifice, the relationships among neighboring towns, European explorers, and Montezuma. Lucy contains information about early fossil hunters, prehistoric Africa, the history of evolution, learning about early hominids by piecing together fossils, the geography and weather of prehistoric Africa, and comparisons and contrasts with modern apes and humans. The writing is jumbled and sometimes confusing. The facts are weighted down by layers of snazzy magazine-style graphics, collages, various fonts, maps, reworked paintings, and illustrations ranging from highly sophisticated presentations to childlike crayon depictions. The minimal indexes and obtuse chapter headings, e.g., "Here's the spare parts department," relegate these books to browsing rather than well-formulated reference. The digging involved in finding information could be frustrating.?Joan Soulliere, Wenham Public Library, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.