Shipwreck (Fast Forward (Barrons Educational Series))

Traces the various stages in the history of a Spanish galleon, from its construction, through its sinking by pirates on the Spanish Main, to its rediscovery and exploration by archaeologists and the building of a replica.

Grade 3-5-Vividly illustrated interactive books. In both, 12 spreads feature a large, labeled illustration and two or three paragraphs of text. The spreads are tabbed with a notation such as "Two hours later" or "200 years later." In Shipwreck, readers can choose to jump from the opening scene in the 1630s (the building of a galleon) to a year later (pirates approach the sailing vessel) or to the 1830s (the remains of the ship have become part of a coral reef at the bottom of the ocean), among other dates and times. Castle covers a much broader period, from 600 B.C.E. to today. Readers will enjoy the details of the many illustrations including the one of a wild banquet in the 13th century. One weakness of these books is that after changing scenes, readers are not reminded of what historic period they have turned to. Also, occasionally more explanation would help (for example, the purpose of sweet-scented herbs on the floor of the castle's banquet hall). These books don't tell the whole story but they will whet youngsters' appetites for more on the subjects.
Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC
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