Ancient Greece (Blast Back! Series)

by Nancy Ohlin, Adam Larkum (Illustrator)

Overview

Blast back to ancient Greece in this new nonfiction series and discover what it would have been like to live there!

When people talk about ancient Greece, things like myths and the Olympics may come to mind. But what was ancient Greece really like? This engaging nonfiction book, complete with black and white interior illustrations, will make readers feel like they've traveled back in time. It covers everything from what ancient Greeks did for fun to the gods and goddesses they worshipped, and more. Find out cool, little-known facts like their strange food superstitions (many wouldn't eat beans because they thought beans contained the souls of the dead!) and how they invented theatre!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781499801194
Publisher:	little bee books
Publication date:	04/05/2016
Series:	Blast Back! Series
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	970L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Nancy Ohlin is the author of the YA novels Always, Forever and Beauty as well as the early chapter book series Greetings from Somewhere under the pseudonym Harper Paris. She lives in Ithaca, NY with her husband, their two kids, two cats, a bunny, and assorted animals who happen to show up at their door. Visit her online at nancyohlin.com.

Adam Larkum is a freelance illustrator based in the United Kingdom. In addition to his illustration work, he also works in animation and develops characters for television.

Editorial Reviews

06/01/2016
Gr 3–5—Presented in very short chapters, this kid-friendly glimpse into ancient Greece covers a variety of aspects, from politics, religion, the arts, philosophy, and everyday life to Greece's lasting contributions to modern society. The book attempts to engage young readers by presenting history in an appealing format. The cartoonlike art is entertaining and full of appeal. However, the visuals are not enough to carry the book, and the absence of an index and other common nonfiction attributes limits its usefulness for reports, making this a pleasure read. In addition, a brief retelling of the myth of Pandora's box names Epimetheus, not Pandora, as the one responsible for opening the forbidden box—an odd change from the more widely circulated version. With that in mind, the accuracy of the rest of the book is brought into question, especially considering that the most recent print source listed in the bibliography was published 12 years ago. Those seeking an entertaining approach to nonfiction should look for Will Osborne's "Magic Tree House Fact Tracker," Ken Jenning's "Junior Genius Guides," or Grosset & Dunlap's "What Was/Who Was" series. VERDICT A dated and questionably accurate account of life in ancient Greece, easily surpassed by other material currently available.—Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library

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