Debates on the Crusades: ISBN 978-1-68282-365-1/ eBook: 978-1-68282-366-8
Debates on the Holocaust: ISBN 978-1-68282-367-5/ eBook: 978-1-68282-368-2
Debates on 20th-Century Immigration: ISBN 978-1-68282-369-9/ eBook: 978-1-68282-370-5
Debates on the Rise of Islamist Extremism: ISBN 978-1-68282-371-2/ eBook: 978-1-68282-372-9
Debates on the Slave Trade: ISBN 978-1-68282-373-6/ eBook: 978-1-68282-374-3
Debates on the Soviet Union's Collapse: ISBN 978-1-68282-375-0/ eBook: 978-1-68282-376-7
Debates on the 9/11 Attacks: ISBN 978-1-68282-377-4/ eBook: 978-1-68282-378-1
School Library Connection, Jan/Feb 2019
History is complex and interpretations have a tendency to morph over time, which is why updated nonfiction titles about historical events are vital purchases for any collection. As a way to imbue context, each book lays out a timeline of important events before diving into the main points through arguing both sides of the titular topic. Intelligently designed for the student researcher, the series posits dual questions that have been debated or that have debatable subtopics. The seven titles span the breadth human history and are structured according to the guiding principles of the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards developed by the National Council for the Social Studies. Across all titles, authors with authority in writing nonfiction for youth have developed a streamlined system of organization that includes pictures, quotations in text boxes, easily referenced opening questions for each chapter debate, and easily-navigable body paragraphs with topical titles. The language is straightforward, with enough white space in its print form to clearly digest information. An exceptional series that could presumably grow from the cornerstone topics it has already featured. Purchasing these titles would benefit middle school and high school libraries. Additional Resources. Bibliography. Glossary. Index. Timeline.
—Alicia Abdul, Librarian, Albany (New York) High School
Highly Recommended
Debates on the Crusades: ISBN 978-1-68282-365-1/ eBook: 978-1-68282-366-8
Debates on the Holocaust: ISBN 978-1-68282-367-5/ eBook: 978-1-68282-368-2
Debates on 20th-Century Immigration: ISBN 978-1-68282-369-9/ eBook: 978-1-68282-370-5
Debates on the Rise of Islamist Extremism: ISBN 978-1-68282-371-2/ eBook: 978-1-68282-372-9
Debates on the Slave Trade: ISBN 978-1-68282-373-6/ eBook: 978-1-68282-374-3
Debates on the Soviet Union's Collapse: ISBN 978-1-68282-375-0/ eBook: 978-1-68282-376-7
Debates on the 9/11 Attacks: ISBN 978-1-68282-377-4/ eBook: 978-1-68282-378-1
School Library Journal, November 2018
Gr 9 Up–Each volume opens with a short chapter outlining the history of the subject under consideration followed by “Debate at a Glance” sections that outline the arguments and suggesting reading questions. Within succeeding chapters, pro and con arguments are presented as though given by a debater; however, a few deploy fallacious reasoning, with some being outright harmful. For example, a section in Slave Trade presents arguments made by white Europeans to justify slavery but never examines white supremacy or racism in depth. While the design is text-heavy, illustrations such as stock and news photos, reproductions of paintings, and colorful maps are used effectively throughout. Extensive source notes are included. VERDICT Libraries where inquiry-based learning is being practiced can select as needed, keeping in mind the above caveats.