(4) YA Inspired by real-life conflict in Mali, this intense thriller follows young Ali of the Defenders of Faith (part of Al Qaeda), who helps impose Sharia law on protesting citizens; and Kadi, daughter of an ancient-manuscript librarian in modern-day Timbuktu. As the two teens (improbably) develop feelings for each other, Ali struggles to understand his loyalties. Includes a contextual afterword. Glos.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Shadow Squadron series. Illustrated by Wilson Tortosa & Benny Fuentes. Lt. Commander Cross's elite special forces team travels to Yemen to capture an Iraqi bomb-maker (Dark). In Sand, they're charged with rescuing a senator's kidnapped son in Mali. Illustrated with dark, tense artwork, these military adventures are designed to resemble classified military reports, including dossiers on the stock characters, mission briefings/debriefings, and an author interview. Short glossaries ("Com Chatter") precede each action-heavy chapter. Review covers these Shadow Squadron titles: Dark Agent and Sand Spider

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(2) 4-6 Malian artist Diakité's ceramic tiles illustrate this autobiography. The medium admirably suits the subject: rural Mali comes to life in the tiles' earth tones, saturated colors, and bold drafting, supplemented with Diakité's handsome portraits and traditional designs. His story's significance shines through the simplicity of its telling: Malian village life is revealed in authentic detail, and the cultural attitudes are mind-opening.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(4) 4-6 Ayisha wants to study Timbuktu's ancient documents; her twin brother Ahmed is proud to explain the city's history to toubabs, or tourists. When an archaeologist and his wife plot to steal manuscripts and sell them, the siblings know the thieves must be stopped. Though the slow pace detracts from the action, rich language moves the story toward a satisfying conclusion. Glos.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) K-3 History Opens Windows series. Focusing on the details of everyday life (food, family, buildings, children), this updated series serves as an adequate introduction to past cultures for younger readers. The bright design and engaging illustrations, which include artifacts, period artwork, and photographs, may be enough to hold readers' attention despite the rather sterile texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these History Opens Windows titles: Ancient West African Kingdoms, The Aztecs, The Incas, The Indus Valley, The Maya, The Sumerians, and The Vikings.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) K-3 Two sisters--one vain, one magical--are tricked by a serpent into believing he's the perfect husband for the vain sister. When the sisters realize the truth, they must enlist the help of heron Balakononifin to escape the serpent. Diakité's exquisite paint-on-tile illustrations beautifully reflect the story while unobtrusively depicting life in a Malian village.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Tales of the World series. Illustrated by Peter Sylvada. Yatandou tells how the lives of women in her Malian village change when a machine takes over the laborious, often painful job of beating millet into meal. There's a gentle message about the value of education and technology, but the voice isn't always convincingly an eight-year-old girl's. The warm impressionistic paintings are rich with the colors of the West African setting.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Narrated by the Gray Rock of Evil, this African folktale pits Sumanguru, king of Sasso, against Sundiata, the lame prince of Mali. Ultimately, Sundiata grows into a respected warrior who defeats his nemesis and reigns over his homeland as its much-loved king. This graphic novel is engaging, but Eisner uses a bland palette, and some of the characters' faces and expressions seem crudely exaggerated.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 In a time of famine, Chameleon rewards Brother Rabbit for a kind deed with a magic gourd that fills with whatever its owner desires. King Mansa Jugu steals the gourd, but clever Rabbit recovers it and teaches the greedy king a lesson. Photos of exquisitely crafted ceramic plates, bowls, and tiles bordered with traditional Mali patterns illustrate this West African tale, which is retold with both economy and flair. Glos.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(4) K-3 Historical Biographies series. Although the information is at times confusingly presented, these brief, formulaic biographies of important rulers of ancient Greece, Egypt, Mali, and China provide good starting-off points for report writers. The books are liberally illustrated with maps and well-reproduced color images of art and artifacts of the subjects' eras. Reading list, pronunciation guide, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical Biographies titles: Alexander the Great, Hatshepsut, Mansa Musa, and Qin Shi Huangdi.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Leo Dillon & Diane Dillon. Fourteenth-century Malinke ruler Mansa Musa demonstrated his kingdom's wealth by leading a pilgrimage to Mecca. Burns invents a story of Musa's childhood that is part coming-of-age tale, part cautionary tale, and part fairy tale. The story is beautifully supported by the Dillons' jewel-like illustrations and stylized text ornaments on parchment-colored pages. The exotic setting and common fairy-tale motif will intrigue the right reader. Bib.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2001

(4) K-3 This attractive picture book catalogs the natural inspirations for mud designs on African bògòlan cloth. Readers may have difficulty following the protagonist's swift transformation from child apprentice to a married woman preparing cloth for her own baby, including a brief birth scene at the end, but the eye-catching folk illustrations in a bright pastel palette are engaging.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Cities Through Time series. Illustrated by Ray Webb. Brook presents the political and social history of the city known as the "Pearl of Africa" in clean, engaging prose, focusing on the many different people and cultures that have called it home from ancient to modern times. Newly created illustrations are far less effective than the historical paintings that illustrate early history; color photos highlight contemporary times. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne

(2) K-3 This story, heard by Diakité as a child in Mali, is more familiar to us in the form of Slobodkina's Caps for Sale, but here offers a different lesson. Hungry BaMusa is only able to figure out how to retrieve his hats from a troop of monkeys after he eats the mangoes they throw at him, thus learning that "it is with a full stomach that one thinks best." A border of humorous monkey antics frame the ceramic tile paintings. An author's note and list of other versions of the tale are included.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 1999

(4) 4-6 First Book: African Civilizations series. Six early African empires are chronicled in these well-written volumes. Starting with a map of the region, the books explore ancient politics, arts, and religion on a continent usually neglected in Western history books. Although some of the color photos are appropriate and informative, too many are poorly reproduced or taken from unrelated countries. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam