(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Dylan Giles. This historical novel relates the story of a Babylonian ark (similar to but pre-dating Noah's story) as translated from ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets; direct translations are interspersed in bold to support Finkel's expanded narrative. The writing wavers between classical and colloquial, sometimes confusingly, and the black-and-white illustrations are a bit muddy. A package best appreciated by ancient-history buffs.

Reviewer: Kristine Caldwell

(4) YA Jayden and Kadesh (Forbidden; Banished) are determined to fight for their love and the survival of their kingdom, Sariba, against Horeb, the jealous ruler of Jayden's tribe and her former betrothed. In the Mesopotamian adventure trilogy's satisfying finale, the characters and their romantic drama are more deftly drawn than is the ancient setting.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) YA Ancient Civilizations series. Each volume introduces a civilization by covering a wide variety of topics including origins, political systems, religions, and daily life. Chapters are broken into subcategories, with numerous sidebars, photos, illustrations, and maps adding detail to the main narrative. The texts themselves are accessible without dumbing down the information. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. This review covers the following Ancient Civilizations titles: Ancient Maya, Ancient Rome, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Ancient India.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Can We Learn from Early Civilizations? series. This series explores daily life in ancient civilizations and how various concepts and tools they invented influenced modern times. "Tools" and "treasures" are fairly loosely defined, making the books wide-reaching but also somewhat of a hodgepodge of topics; connections to current civilization are tenuous. Informative sidebars and photographs of interesting artifacts and sites break up the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. This review covers these Searchlight Books: What Can We Learn from Early Civilizations? titles: Tools and Treasures of Ancient Egypt, Tools and Treasures of Ancient Greece, Tools and Treasures of Ancient Mesopotamia, Tools and Treasures of Ancient Rome, Tools and Treasures of the Ancient Maya, and Tools and Treasures of Ancient China.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Discover Ancient Civilizations series. For upper-elementary-school students, these introductions to ancient civilizations cover origins, government, religion, contributions to culture worldwide, as well as other related topics. The accessible and easy-to-read texts are supported by plenty of well-chosen and -captioned color photos and reproductions. Some sections attempt to span centuries, making those parts seem rushed. Maps, reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Discover Ancient Civilizations titles: Discover Ancient China, Discover Ancient Egypt, Discover Ancient Persia, Discover Ancient Mesopotamia, Discover Ancient Rome, and Discover Ancient Greece.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA In ancient Mesopotamia, the enticement of forbidden love places sixteen-year-old Jayden and her family in a precarious situation when she is betrothed to Horeb, the villainous son of her tribe's leader. This romantic saga set in a brutal desert landscape provides less than accurate historical details yet creates intrigue and adventure through its brave, daring heroine.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA Living History series. This series emphasizes social history and forefronts family life, community organization, religious practices, education systems, and inventions. Pull-out boxes define some words, but a glossary would have been helpful. Translated snippets from famous texts are short and useful, whereas the illustrations are perfunctory at best. Each volume is adequately researched, offering standard information and perspectives. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Living History titles: Life During Medieval Times, Life During the Roman Empire, and Life in Ancient Mesopotamia.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) YA Facts at Your Fingertips: Ancient Civilizations series. This well-organized series introduces readers to political and social histories of civilizations past. A helpful introduction describing the book's structure precedes two-page sections on various aspects of the title culture; helpful maps, illustrations, and sidebars are included throughout. The sophisticated texts (printed in a small font) are generally easy to follow. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Facts at Your Fingertips: Ancient Civilizations titles: Ancient Aztec and Maya, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Ancient Rome.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA History of the World series. These volumes give broad overviews of their topics. So many different peoples and cultures are covered in each book that depth of information is lacking. On most spreads, a short paragraph of main text is accompanied by color illustrations, maps, and photographs, as well as sidebars and more explanatory text, crowding the pages. There are six other fall 2009 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these History of the World titles: The Americas and the Pacific, Ancient Egypt and Greece, Early Medieval Times, Asian Civilizations, Beyond Europe, and Mesopotamia and the Bible Lands.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Living in the Ancient World series. This series provides concise histories of ancient worlds. Subjects include diet, religion, war, crafts, government, medicine, and myths. The sophisticated texts are bolstered by well-chosen photographs and effective illustrations, including maps. Though readers may be deterred by the tiny type and crowded pages, the books are good basic starters for those interested in past cultures. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Living in the Ancient World titles: Living in Ancient Egypt, Living in Ancient Greece, Living in Ancient Mesopotamia, Living in Ancient Rome, and Living in the Middle Ages.

Reviewer: T. Borregaard

(4) YA Because of drought, Jomar is sent to Ur to become a goldsmith's apprentice. His younger sister, a natural musician, joins him, but she must find work. The two forge their own paths in ancient Mesopotamia while looking after each other. Though her transference of facts about the ancient civilization can be awkward, Cowley provides readers with an informative and entertaining read.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) YA Lucent Library of Historical Eras series. Peoples chronicles the rise and fall of Middle Eastern cultures from 9000 BCE to the beginning of the Arab Muslim era (600 CE), including Sumeria, Babylonia, Persia, and Greece. The other volumes focus on the practices and contributions of the numerous Mesopotamian empires. Photographs, maps, inserts, and sidebars enhance and extend the dense texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lucent Library of Historical Eras titles: Arts and Literature in Ancient Mesopotamia, Life and Worship in Ancient Mesopotamia, Peoples and Empires of Ancient Mesopotamia, and Science, Technology, and Warfare of Ancient Mesopotamia.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Lucent Library of Historical Eras series. Peoples chronicles the rise and fall of Middle Eastern cultures from 9000 BCE to the beginning of the Arab Muslim era (600 CE), including Sumeria, Babylonia, Persia, and Greece. The other volumes focus on the practices and contributions of the numerous Mesopotamian empires. Photographs, maps, inserts, and sidebars enhance and extend the dense texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lucent Library of Historical Eras titles: Arts and Literature in Ancient Mesopotamia, Life and Worship in Ancient Mesopotamia, Peoples and Empires of Ancient Mesopotamia, and Science, Technology, and Warfare of Ancient Mesopotamia.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Lucent Library of Historical Eras series. Peoples chronicles the rise and fall of Middle Eastern cultures from 9000 BCE to the beginning of the Arab Muslim era (600 CE), including Sumeria, Babylonia, Persia, and Greece. The other volumes focus on the practices and contributions of the numerous Mesopotamian empires. Photographs, maps, inserts, and sidebars enhance and extend the dense texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lucent Library of Historical Eras titles: Arts and Literature in Ancient Mesopotamia, Life and Worship in Ancient Mesopotamia, Peoples and Empires of Ancient Mesopotamia, and Science, Technology, and Warfare of Ancient Mesopotamia.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Lucent Library of Historical Eras series. Peoples chronicles the rise and fall of Middle Eastern cultures from 9000 BCE to the beginning of the Arab Muslim era (600 CE), including Sumeria, Babylonia, Persia, and Greece. The other volumes focus on the practices and contributions of the numerous Mesopotamian empires. Photographs, maps, inserts, and sidebars enhance and extend the dense texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lucent Library of Historical Eras titles: Arts and Literature in Ancient Mesopotamia, Life and Worship in Ancient Mesopotamia, Peoples and Empires of Ancient Mesopotamia, and Science, Technology, and Warfare of Ancient Mesopotamia.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Cultural Atlas for Young People series. Updated by Peter Mitchell. The history, geography, and cultures of these ancient civilizations are briefly introduced in double-page spreads illustrated with maps, photographs, and drawings. The presentation can be disjointed and some complex issues are glossed over, but readers mainly interested in browsing will uncover some fascinating tidbits. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cultural Atlas for Young People titles: Ancient China, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Maya & Aztec Civilizations, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, and The Middle Ages.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 World Historical Atlases series. Each of these books gives a brief history of the featured regions, including key dates, historic locales, and notable personalities. The series's principal weakness is that its scope is too broad for the abbreviated format. However, the books will prove helpful to those who know little about the subject. Sidebars, maps, and well-reproduced color art appear throughout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World Historical Atlases titles: The Ancient Mediterranean, The Ancient Near East, and The Medieval World.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg