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The Brooklyn Bridge
The Great Pyramid
The Great Wall
The Panama Canal
The Roman Colosseum
The Adventures of Sojourner
Beyond The Sea Of Ice
Machu Picchu
A Long and Uncertain Journey
Hoover Dam
Despite All Obstacles
Rescued Images
Canyon
Tikal
Empire State Building
We Asked For Nothing
The Parthenon
The Last River
Over The Mountains
 | Informational Book of the Year The International Reading Association | |
| The Scientific American Young Readers Book Award | |
| Honor Book, The Jefferson Cup Award The Virginia Library Association |  |
| 100 Books to Read and Share The New York Public Library Annual List | |
| Best Books of the Year The Child Study Children's Book Comittee | |
| Outstanding From a Learning Perspective The Parent Council |
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"... an informative mix of historical reproductions, striking illustrations and clearly presented texts...The design, step-by-step construction, personalities involved, multiple setbacks, and ultimate completion of this New York City Landmark are all presented in a readable narrative, supported by diagrams and dramatic illustrations..."
Starred Review, School Library Journal
"The Author retells the amazing story of the Roebling family and the tragedy they suffered while designing and constructing the Brooklyn Bridge...This is history every student will enjoy."Press-Telegram, Long Beach,CA
"Mann conveys the stories as adventures without ever resorting to melodrama and explores the history and architecture of each structure in highly readable form...the stories are told in handsomely designed volumes with an enlivening combination of historical pictures, photographs and paintings."Booklist (Joint review for The Brooklyn Bridge and The Great Pyramid)
"...effectively conveys the human drama of this great construction feat and provides lucid explanations of the technology...a welcome new tribute. "Horn Book
"A wonderful book about one of the best known works of modern engineering...Amazing illustrations and interesting details help tell the story of each step of the bridge's construction. After reading this book, one will never view the Brooklyn Bridge in the same way again"Reviews from the Parent Council
| Finalist - Children's Books of Distinction The Hungry Mind Review |
- "Mann does a wonderful job of entertaining young readers with fascinating stories of the history and evolution of the pyramids...She adds little details that make the faceless people who built the pyramids suddenly take on personalities...The text is enhanced by rich, detailed paintings and maps that bring the reader to Egypt and are mini-treasure troves of information all by themselves. Artist Laura Lo Turco has combined artistic ability with an eye for detail, further bringing the people who banded together to create the most magnificent tomb ever erected to vibrant life."
Small Press Magazine
"The full page paintings are stunning; touched with tones of gold and textures that reflect the desert setting. Captioned, full-color photographs of artifacts also enhance the well-written text."Starred Review, School Library Journal
"The author excels at helping children understand unfamiliar ideas, adeptly shows the evolution of Egyptian burial customs and beliefs, and presents new facts based on the latest research."Curriculum Administrator
"Mann conveys the stories as adventures without ever resorting to melodrama and explores the history and architecture of each structure in highly readable form...the stories are told in handsomely designed volumes with an enlivening combination of historical pictures, photographs and paintings."Booklist (Joint review for the Brooklyn Bridge and the Great Pyramid)
| Best Books of the Year The Child Study Children's Book Commitee |
| Outstanding From a Learning Perspective The Parent Council |
- "A beautiful and informative entry in the Wonders of the World series in which Mann meticulously outlines the building of the Great Wall as well as the thousands of years of conflict that prompted it...Detailed illustrations chronicle the Chinese people's attempts to foil violence by erecting the wall...A thoughtful discussion about the life of nomadic tribes on the steppe and their difference from the Chinese people illustrates how cultures distrust and fear one another...Mann makes thrilling the ironies of the Great Wall: It never fulfilled its purpose of providing safety by exclusion and contributed to the downful of the Ming dynasty because of its enormous costs."
A Book of Special Note, Kirkus Reviews
"2,000 years of Chinese history read like an adventure story."The Sacramento Bee
"Readers who loved Elizabeth Mann's The Brooklyn Bridge and The Great Pyramid, will be instant fans of The Great Wall...Although it is a complicated story of politics and power, Mann tells it simply and skillfully...Brilliant illustrations by Alan Witschonke convey the enormity of the construction...a stunning visual history that will enrich any study of Chinese history and culture."Library Talk
"Part of the publisher's "Wonders of the World" series, this excellent book combines history and adventure in a winning package...Sure to be popular both as education and entertainment, this title is highly recommended for grades 4 to 6."Catholic Library World
"Chinese history abounds with drama, intrigue, greatness and sadness. In this book all the elements on which the nation was founded are melded into a riveting account of how the Great Wall was built and its physical and mental impact on the Chinese people. The writing is infused with a genuine enthusiasm for the subject. The book's value is bolstered by strong and splendid illustrations. The Great Wall is a great book."Reviews from the Parent Council
| Notable Children’s Book in the Field of Social Studies for 1999 National Council for the Social Studies and The Children’s Book Council |
| A Top Choice Book for 1999 Children's Literature |
- "This well-wrtiten and brightly illustrated title features a wealth of information presented in a clear and friendly manner...This title will appeal to middle schoolers both as an exciting read and useful homework title. Recommended."
Catholic Library World
"A concrete, engaging narrative on another of the man-made wonders of the world...Rangel's lavish full-color illustrations capture the immense scale of the canal's construction, from the damming of the Chagres River to the construction of the locks on a four-page fold-out spread. Mann and Rangel have created an exceptional resource for the classroom, as well as an epic piece of storytelling."Kirkus Reviews
"A solid, approachable introduction to the often amazing story of the Panama Canal...The construction of the canal, with its locks and dams, is not an easy story to relate. However, the author manages to render the technical language in the simplest of terms."School Library Journal
"From the author of The Roman Colosseum and other books in The Wonders of the World series comes a dynamic introduction to the building of the Panama Canal...The author does not gloss over the many worker deaths and the poor living conditions and wages afforded the majority of the workers who were blacks from the Caribbean islands of Barbados and Jamaica. Lush full-page paintings by Fernando Rangel convey a genuine sense of the tropical jungle as well as the building of the canal...This will serve well both as recreational reading and as material for report writers."Booklist
- "Like others in the Wonders of the World Series, this has a picture book style and look but is packed with history...Mann explores the history and the events that led up to the building of the Colosseum, and then looks at some of the structure's unusual features which continue to have an impact on modern engineers and architects. The text is clear, informative and flows well."
Booklist
"A colorful, informative introduction to the structure and history of the gladiatorial games. The useful text provides fascinating facts about architectural and building innovations utilized in the construction of this arena...Details about gladiator training, styles of fighting and the use of wild animals reinforce the author's contention that the Colosseum is both a symbol of Rome's greatness and its brutality, A clear, well-written text and full-color drawings and paintings graphically depict the events held there."School Library Journal
| Notable Books for Children, 1998 Smithsonian Magazine |
| A Top Choice Book for 1999 Children's Literature |
| Children's Choice for 1999 Children's Book Council and The Inernational Reading Association |
| Best Children’s Books for 1999 Science Books and Films |
- "The story of the remote-controlled rover and the researchers who orchestrated that mission is a scientific page turner."
Smithsonian Magazine
"Journalist Wunsch's first children's book lifts off smoothly with an animated, accessible account of the development, testing and accomplishments of Sojourner... The book's graphics match the text in child appeal...Throughout, pictures and text work in tandem to land readers in the middle of the exhilarating action...A timeline, fact page, index and guide to related web sites round out this top flight chronicle of a landmark space mission and its leading players."
Publishers Weekly
"An authoritative and exciting recounting of the Mars Pathfinder mission and the success of the Sojourner rover...The detailed explanations of the rover's construction, the launch and landing of the Pathfinder lander on Mars and the work done by Sojourner are fascinating. Stunning photographs, the majority in color, add additional details and clarify the lively text, which is easy to read but does not talk down to readers... This book provides enough information for reports and may inspire students to pursue further research. An entertaining, factual, and immensely readable volume."Starred Review, School Library Journal
| Nonfiction Honor Book, 1999 VOYA |
| Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies for 2000 National Council for the Social Studies and The Children's Book Council |
- "The story of a man and his son set adrift in the cold Arctic waters with only a few loyal supporters is a compelling one. An engaging text, illustrations that are like oil paintings and excerpts from crew members’ diaries make this a highly readable and informative addition to library shelves. Recommended."
Book Report
"Where Goodman’s book shines is in the foldout maps and diagrams of the voyages and in the journal entries by Hudson and members of his crews...When the next group of students with an assignment on explorers descends on the library, have this useful and attractive volume on hand."School Library Journal
"An introduction to Hudson's voyages that will spark readers' interest....A foldout map indicating the routes of Hudson's four voyages of exploration extends beyond the pages, making it accessable to readers....Full page, bordered paintings provide dramatic visions of events."Booklist
| Nonfiction Honor Book, 2000 VOYA |
- "Readers will be fascinated by the narrative. Once again, Mann has written an engaging and accessible introduction to one of humankind's great architectural achievements."
School Library Journal
"It is Mann's comfortable text that makes this so special. She ably brings the Inca's complicated society into focus...And unlike some nonfiction, this really answers questions readers want to know. An exceptionally fine entry in the Wonders of the World series."Starred Review, Booklist
| Editor's Choice: Best Books of 2001 Booklist |
| Best Books of 2001 Book Links |
| Nonfiction Honor Book, 2001 VOYA |
- "...well researched and written with details that make distant figures and achievements memorable."
Washington Post Book World
"Lavish, earth toned watercolor illustrations... compellingly written... provides a solid introduction to the grand era of Portuguese navigation."Starred Review, School Library Journal
"The author's thorough research is evident throughout, both in the detail she packs into the text as well as in her ability to knit the proceedings into a broad historical context."Publishers Weekly
"Entertaining and informative... Joan Elizabeth Goodman Blends a compelling, dramatic narrative with Tom McNeely's superbly drawn watercolors giving readers age 8 to 18 a memorable and enjoyable 'window in time' to one of the truly outstanding feats in history."Midwest Book Review
"The story is a fascinating one...intelligently written...full page illustrations which vibrate with life and action..."Starred Review, Booklist
| Notable Children's Book in the field of Social Studies, 2002 National Council for the Social Studies and the Children's Book Council |
- "...an epic tale of adventure an danger.... A wonderfully readable, well organized book filled with fascinating detail."
School Library Journal
"Visually impressive and well designed...The text clearly explains the aims of the project, the challenges it posed, the difficulties and dangers of the construction and how the dam works, as well as the social context of the Great Depression."Booklist
| Nonfiction Honor Book, 2001 VOYA |
- "Goodman presents a memorable portrait of this incurable hustler...McNeely's 19th-century style tableaux adds a vivid sense of the period...this lively biography sits a good cut above standard school assignment fare."
Kirkus Reviews
"...an outstanding resource for homes, classrooms and libraries."Forward Magazine
| Parents' Choice Gold Medal The Parents' Choice Foundation |
| Book of the Year, Silver Medal, Young Adult Nonfiction Forward Magazine |
| Notable Children's Book in the field of Social Studies, 2002 National Council for the Social Studies and the Children's Book Council |
- "An unusual blend of memoir and image that reveals the horror of war and the transformative power of art."
Booklist
"The books elegant presentation dramatizes without prettifying...Although there are many Holocause memoirs available for young adult audiences, this one stands out for its moving marriage of art and text and as a chilling reminder that the effects fo the Nazi regime extend far beyond the barbed wire-finces of concentration camps and gnaw at the lives of so-called survivors."Starred Review, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's books
"...unforgettable...Jacobsben's memoir of the Holocaust represents a unique perspective, one that should be included on school library shelves."The Book Report
| Best Books of the Year The Child Study Children's Book Committee |
- "Poetic text and stunning color photographs combine to form a lyrical and visual essay...This is a title for reading aloud to inspire an appreciation for the grandeur of nature."
School Library Journal
"Elegantly written... Cameron's simple, poetic, evocative thoughts are completely in tune with the Grand Canyon's timeless splendor. A wondrous picturebook for young folks with stunning photographs sure to cause readers of all ages to sit up and take notice. Canyon is very highly recommended..."Midwest Book Review
- "Lavishly illustrated...Full and double-page illustrations, executed in watercolor, are detailed and provide a reconstruction of life more than 1000 years ago....This is a fascinating look at a civilization that disappeared both mysteriously and abruptly."
School Library Journal
| Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, Honor Book - 2004 National Council of Teachers of English |
| Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies for 2004 National Council for the Social Studies and The Children's Book Council |
| Best Childrens Books New York Magazine |
| Book of Outstanding Merit Children's Book Committee, Bank Street College |
- "The latest book in the excellent Wonders of the World series...Mann writes with clarity about the technical aspects... and with verve about the building's inspiring effect on New Yorkers."
Washington Post
A top choice...Mann's exploration of this New York City icon will capture the imagination of report writers and general readers alike."Starred Review, School Library Journal
| IRA Children's Book Award Notable Book - 2004 The International Reading Association |
| Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies for 2004 National Council for the Social Studies and The Children's Book Council |
- "Engaging... An absorbing story of adventure and self-discovery."
School Library Journal
- "Perceptive as always...Mann once again will leave readers buzzed about one of the great works of architecture, and more deeply aware of the ways in which it reflects its builders' beliefs and attitudes."
Kirkus Reviews
- "It was a wild ride–rowboats smashing, Powell dangling from a canyon wall by a rescuers long underwear, brutal conditions, resentment of the leader, disappearing men–and this book does it justice..."
School Library Journal
"...handsome full- and double-page paintings, ranging from stately landscapes of canyons to scenes of danger and rescue. Rich in color, strong in composition, and beautifully executed..."Booklist
- "The full-color photos in this volume are uniformly stunning and are expertly used by Collier to illustrate how mountains form, evolve, deteriorate, and die. Without reverting to textbook prose, the author covers the fundamentals of mountain geology: rock types, plate tectonics, and erosion, employing his photographs and illustrations to further explicate these principles. It is one thing to write about glaciers, fault zones, plateaus, erosion, alluvial fans, subduction, and volcanoes. It is altogether a higher level of accomplishment to render all of these aspects of geology in photographs as beautiful as they are informative. Collier has put his 50-year-old Cessna 180 and arsenal of photographic equipment to good use, spending thousands of hours in the cockpit, traveling to remote regions of the Earth, up mountain faces, down into canyons, constantly in search of the best shot. He has found many best shots, and readers will enjoy them all"
School Library Journal