We by Alice Schertle and illustrated by Kenneth Addison.  New York:  Lee and Low Books, 2007. 

ISBN:  9781584300601

Media:  Mixed media collage

Q/P: 5/4

The history of mankind is told in a poetic and rhythmic format.  Emphasizes the origins of mankind believed to be on the continent of Africa and the work of anthropologists.  

RHYTHM:  The last stanza reflects the rhythm and construction of the rest of the text.  The author uses simple diction to describe complex and, at times, a controversial subject which is the first hominids and the progress of human civilization.  Alliteration and line breaks create a rhythm and emphasize the place where anthropologists have found the best clues to the origin of humans:

CURRICULUM CONNECTION:  7^th -10^th grade for life science classes and language arts classes; anthropology topics

POTENTIAL FOR A CHALLENGE:  The topic of the book may be offensive to a creationist audience that is already at odds with evolution being taught in school.  The book, however, has merit for being in a library that serves middle and high school students because the author does not challenge religious views but chronicles the rise of civilization and acknowledges that anthropologists today view north east Africa as the origin of the first hominids.

FBoggs 07/09