The building of the Great Pyramid

Gr 5-8-Reluctant readers will be drawn to these books' graphic format, colorful illustrations, and dialogue that brings the characters to life. Pyramid describes the life of a farmer and a pharaoh and the planning and building of a pyramid. Alexander the Great portrays the man's rise to power and his many conquests. The possibility of a conspiracy in the murder of Philip II; the story of Alexander's horse, Bucephalus; and Alexander's lifelong friendship with Hephaestion add even more interest. In the third book, Caesar's tumultuous life is presented in a clear and concise fashion. The descriptions of political intrigues and alliances through marriage and friendship give readers a sense of the life of an ambitious Roman patrician. Vivid depictions of battles in Gaul, Germany, Britannia, and Egypt are included. All three books open with brief descriptions of the main players, a paragraph of background information, and a map. Entertaining introductions.-Lana Miles, Jackson Elementary School, Rosenberg, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A promising concept disappointingly executed, this historically based comic book describes the building of Pharaoh Khufu's great pyramid. The history of Egypt, the rule of the pharaoh, and the logistics of building a pyramid are explained. A format that should lend excitement to an interesting time in history instead suffers from lifeless illustrations and an awkward text. The result is both dull and convoluted. Timeline. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.