Who built Stonehenge, and why is it one of the great mysteries of the prehistoric world? Here, Caroline Malone and Nancy Stone Bernard explore the myths, legends, and lies that have surrounded the ancient megaliths since the 12th century, when people believed that the sorcerer Merlin magically transported the stones to England. Readers learn why the druid myth still persists, how the structure was possibly constructed, and why the site was abandoned centuries after it was built. Including numerous sidebars, photographs, and diagrams on the archaeological history of the site and an engaging interview with archaeologist Caroline Malone, Stonehenge captures the imagination and curiosity of every budding archaeologist.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-Beginning with two small orientation maps that assume readers know that the monument is in England, Bernard and Malone start off with a lengthy chapter relating the myths and misconceptions about this mysterious circle of stones. Youngsters who have no context for understanding this information will find it confusing and disjointed. The authors promise to answer questions about why, how, and when Stonehenge was built, but they fail to offer many concrete answers. Six pages are devoted to sidebar discussions of scientific dating, megaliths, aerial discoveries, and an interview with Malone that adds little to understanding Stonehenge. The full-color illustrations, diagrams, and photographs are often small and it is sometimes unclear what viewers are supposed to see. The glossary is helpful but the further readings are almost entirely adult titles. There are few books available on the subject for this audience, but libraries may want to wait for a livelier, clearer presentation to add to their collections. Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Reviewed with R. Gwinn Vivian and Margaret Anderson's Chaco Canyon.
"Each title in the new Digging for the Past series brings young readers up close to the field of archaeology....Offers plenty of facts for reports." -- Booklist
"Includes chapters on moving the stones, the people involved, and the theories. Photos, maps, diagrams, and a useful list of defined terms and related sites enhance the clearly written text." -- Dig!
Who built Stonehenge, and why is it one of the great mysteries of the prehistoric world? Here, Caroline Malone and Nancy Stone Bernard explore the myths, legends, and lies that have surrounded the ancient megaliths since the 12th century, when people believed that the sorcerer Merlin magically
transported the stones to England. Readers learn why the druid myth still persists, how the structure was possibly constructed, and why the site was abandoned centuries after it was built. Including numerous sidebars, photographs, and diagrams on the archaeological history of the site and an
engaging interview with archaeologist Caroline Malone, Stonehenge captures the imagination and curiosity of every budding archaeologist.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-Beginning with two small orientation maps that assume readers know that the monument is in England, Bernard and Malone start off with a lengthy chapter relating the myths and misconceptions about this mysterious circle of stones. Youngsters who have no context for understanding this information will find it confusing and disjointed. The authors promise to answer questions about why, how, and when Stonehenge was built, but they fail to offer many concrete answers. Six pages are devoted to sidebar discussions of scientific dating, megaliths, aerial discoveries, and an interview with Malone that adds little to understanding Stonehenge. The full-color illustrations, diagrams, and photographs are often small and it is sometimes unclear what viewers are supposed to see. The glossary is helpful but the further readings are almost entirely adult titles. There are few books available on the subject for this audience, but libraries may want to wait for a livelier, clearer presentation to add to their collections.
Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Reviewed with R. Gwinn Vivian and Margaret Anderson's Chaco Canyon.
Gr. 7-10. Written by a science writer and an archaeologist, each title in the new Digging for the Past series brings young readers up close to the field of archaeology. These books begin with maps and time lines of the sites' history and past archaeological digs. Subsequent chapters offer theories about how the structures were built and the people and traditions associated with the sites, always showing how scientists have formed opinions from archaeological discoveries. Of the two titles, Chaco Canyon offers a more in-depth view of how scientists live in the field, while Stonehenge gives a more organized overview of the mysterious site itself. But both books offer plenty of facts for reports, and they close with interviews between the writer and archaeologist that are filled with personal stories and invite readers to learn more about the field. Sharp color photos show the sites, artifacts, and the scientists at work, and the each book concludes with a further reading list and a glossary. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"Each title in the new Digging for the Past series brings young readers up close to the field of archaeology....Offers plenty of facts for reports." -- Booklist
"Includes chapters on moving the stones, the people involved, and the theories. Photos, maps, diagrams, and a useful list of defined terms and related sites enhance the clearly written text." -- Dig!
About the Author
Caroline Malone is at British Museum.