Warriors

Warriors

By Catherine Bereton

IL: Grades 5-8

RL: 4+

This book has great shelf appeal. It opens from a magnet "lock" in the middle of the front cover and looks like a gamer kid type of book. The book showcases 10 warriors from different centuries, from the Spartans through the Zulu warriors. It then pairs them in 5 battles and declares a winner.

I seriously love this book. After each battle we learn about each warrior and their strengths. The role they played in their society is detailed and details about that society are provided as well. Photos and drawings are clear, crisp and appealing. They clearly let you know when a picture may be somewhat unrealistic, as in the case with a picture of a Gladiator, which has the caption, "This Gladiator from a movie in 2000 is unrealistic, but dramatic."

All of the details are broken up on the page, making it undaunting to read and perfect for reluctant readers. It includes an index as well as a glossary.

I can see some of my gamer kids really enjoying this. And to think it's actually an accurate book! This would be a perfect addition for any  6th or 7th grade classroom or a school library. 

Harpur, J. (2008). Warriors: all the truths, tactics, and triumphs of history's greatest fighters.  New York, NY: Atheneum.