The Navajo

Each book in the excellent A True Book: American Indian series covers cultural basics such as diet, clothing, lifestyle, and child rearing for one American Indian group. Relevant historical events are also covered simply and clearly, including a time line of highlights in each group's history. This balance between history and culture keeps the series dynamic and interesting. Photos, paintings, and drawings as well as occasional contemporary illustrations add visual interest to the well-designed package and keep the titles from feeling formulaic. The Navajo emphasizes the struggles the Navajo people faced and their ultimate success in preserving their culture. Each book's back matter includes additional facts ( True Statistics ), a sophisticated but age-appropriate set of resources ranging from books and webites to organizations and places to visit, a glossary of Important Words, an index, and author bios.--Aronin, Miriam Copyright 2010 Booklist

Gr 3-5-Each book begins with a "Find the Truth" page that presents two true/false questions that will be answered within the text. The first chapter includes an informative map that shows the featured tribe's origins and historic and current locations. Subsequent sections describe how the people lived before and after contact with white settlers, conflicts with the American government and resettlement on reservations, food, organization and customs, and current status. A final "True Statistics" page, which also answers the true/false statements, completes each book. An attractive combination of large, colorful illustrations and photos supplement the texts. Although coverage is largely standard for books about Native Americans, the interesting format and visual appeal of these titles will make them popular with elementary readers. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.