(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: Ancient Mysteries series. Each book in this series looks at a different ancient city or monument and explores unanswered questions about its construction and uses. Both historical and modern views are provided, with differences explained by recent research and technology. Plentiful photographs and illustrations bring the sites to life. "Dig Deep!" and "Myth Alert!" sidebars provide additional interesting context and detail. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: Ancient Mysteries titles: Mysteries of the Egyptian Pyramids, Mysteries of the Great Wall of China, Mysteries of Easter Island, Mysteries of Pompeii, Mysteries of Machu Picchu, and Mysteries of Stonehenge.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 1-3 Greetings from Somewhere series. Illustrated by Marcos Calo. Twins Ella and Ethan head with their travel-writer mom and homeschooling dad to Mumbai, where they track down a spice shop saboteur (Spices); and to Machu Picchu, where they find a missing toy snake and hunt for an Inca sculpture (Bridge). The travel guide–like highlights add some flavor to the otherwise standard chapter-book mysteries. Black-and-white illustrations are included. Glos. Review covers these Greetings from Somewhere titles: The Mystery Across the Secret Bridge and The Mystery of the Suspicious Spices.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) YA Shana is afraid of another failed relationship and of what her father's impending blindness will mean for her family. To ward off their despair, Shana and her parents embark on a Peruvian trek that's spiritually and emotionally inspiring. Chen's Machu Picchu backdrop complements Shana's strenuous journey from a place of fear and heartbreak toward renewed trust.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(3) YA Digging Up the Past series. Archaeological sites and finds are explored in this series, which touches on scientific, cultural, legal, and political implications of the discoveries; research; and preservation. Sidebars expand the thorough main text, while ample photographs of excavations and artifacts will spur the curiosity of readers with interest in ancient civilizations or archaeology. Solid bases for further study. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Digging Up the Past titles: Chaco Canyon, �-tzi the Iceman, Machu Picchu, and King Tut's Tomb.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Ancient Wonders series. Each volume offers the basic who-what-when-why-and-how for its titular ancient structure and concludes with a quick overview of its current condition and tourism. Color photos, maps, and other illustrations supplement the text; short question-and-answer footers provide additional detail. The brightly designed series is basic, but the content is sufficient for the target audience. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review includes these Ancient Wonders titles: Egyptian Pyramids, Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, Statues of Easter Island, Stonehenge, and Taj Mahal.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(2) K-3 Detailed watercolors follow the quest of archaeologist Hiram Bingham, who, in his 1911 search for the legendary Incan city of Vilcapampa, discovered "a place even more amazing"--Machu Picchu. Lewin draws on Bingham's journal for this account of the grueling expedition to the Andes. This evocative glimpse will complement other more substantive materials about Machu Picchu, its builders, and its inhabitants.

Reviewer: Margaret A. Bush | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2003

(3) 4-6 Wonders of the World series. Illustrated by Amy Crehore. In this look at Machu Picchu, the Incan city built in the 1400s between two Andes mountain peaks, Mann speckles a straightforward account of the rise and fall of the Incan people with appreciation for the city's architecture. The book is illustrated with luminous full-page (including one gatefold) paintings showing the polygonal stones painstakingly handcrafted by stonemasons, two color photographs, and a map. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram