(3) K-3 Photographs by Ellen B. Senisi. This invitingly designed photo-essay offers a look at the activities of kindergartners on opposite sides of the world. The first half follows a class of students in Schenectady, New York, as they go about their daily routine. Readers can then flip the book over and follow a class in Beijing. Crisp, nicely varied photos document each phase of the day.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Cindy Karp. The text describes Summer Peace Camp in Israel, which allows Palestinian and Israeli children to share typical camping experiences; the counselors hope to promote understanding and bring the two groups closer together. Readers also visit with an Israeli boy and a Palestinian girl and their families. The culturally detailed text is accompanied by vivid photographs of campers just being kids. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Ellen B. Senisi. Profusely illustrated with clear color photographs and art reproductions, this accessible book introduces Beijing's Forbidden City, the immense walled complex from which twenty-four emperors ruled China for some five hundred years. Marx piques readers' interest by presenting seven fictional vignettes about real people and events connected with the Forbidden City, then follows up by explaining the historical context of each story. Timeline. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) 4-6 Photographs by Ellen B. Senisi. Seven young men in a steel drum band practice hard and make it to Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. The text lacks focus when discussing each person's background, though it does give a personal spin to the contest, as do photos of the performers in action. Sidebars include interesting Apollo history. A CD of the group is included.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Photographs by Cindy Karp. An elementary school class learns about the ecology of the Florida Everglades and the restoration projects of this endangered ecosystem. Marx's wooden but readable narrative is accompanied by beautiful photographs. The book will be useful for report writers but equally attractive to readers intrigued by the natural world. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Peter Fiore. Graceful narration in free verse conveys both historical details and the excitement of two of the Wright brothers' significant public demonstrations in 1909: Wilbur's flights at the Hudson-Fulton Celebration in New York City and Orville's in Germany. Colorful, slightly impressionistic illustrations clarify the text, which never loses trajectory though its details range from family relationships to a crown prince passenger. Epilogue, maps, timeline.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Photographs by Cindy Karp. Nominally told from the point of view of a ten-year-old participant, this is a photo-essay about a California children's-theater group's visit to meet a similar group in Cuba. The details of cross-cultural experiences and of the preparation for a joint production are appealing, but the soft-pedaled, simplistic sermonizing about Cuba distracts readers from gaining much empathy or insight. Color photos, often full-paged, add some life. Ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(2) 4-6 Photographs by Cindy Karp. Edi Fejzullahu, a twelve-year-old Albanian boy, and his family are forced to leave their Kosovo home in the spring of 1999 to live in a Macedonian refugee camp. An introduction provides historical and political context; the rest of the photo-essay is devoted to Edi's experience in the camp. The professionally framed color photos maintain the intimacy of snapshots; the understated text allows the facts of Edi's life to speak for themselves.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2000