A gripping account of three dramatic journeys that changed history. The fabled Silk Road conjures up the sights, smells and sounds of faraway lands. But traveling the Silk Road took years, and those who set out encountered bandits, starvation and treacherous storms. Adventures on the Ancient Silk Road introduces readers to three great historical figures: Chinese Buddhist Xuanzang, whose 16-year journey from China to India and back (629-645 AD) is the only source we have for huge chunks of the history and geography of this time. His successful search for Buddhist scriptures changed the course of two great nations. Genghis Khan, bred from infancy to be a warrior, brought the Mongol clans together. He established the greatest empire the world had seen, which ruled the Silk Road from 1201 to 1227. Italian merchant Marco Polo journeyed through China from 1271 to 1295. He changed the way Europe saw the world, and his book even inspired Columbus to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean in search of China. Beautiful photographs and art depicting the ancient routes and peoples bring the stories to life. Maps, sidebars and an afterword that updates the story of the Silk Road are also featured.
Intermediate (ages 9-14)
Material appropriate for intermediate age groups
Perceval: King Arthur’s Knight of the Holy Grail
Retells the Arthurian legend of Perceval, a foolish and impatient boy who realizes his dream of becoming a great knight, but meets with misfortune when he forgets to pray and serve God.
Projects about the Ancient Aztecs (Hands-On History)
Includes social studies projects taken from the ancient Aztecs.
Projects about Ancient Egypt (Hands-On History)
Includes social studies projects taken from the ancient Egyptians.
The Countryside (Life In Ancient Egypt)
Describes the social and economic structure of country life during the New Kingdom period (c. 1550 BCE – 1070 BCE) of ancient Egypt, including the distinctive roles of men and women and what it was like to be a child in a peasant community.
The Children Of Lir
A haunting Irish legend, believed by some to be the basis for King Lear. A king’s jealous wife puts a spell on his children, changing them into swans, until such time as the Man from the North and the Woman from the South–two mountain peaks–are joined together. Watercolor illustrations.
Comus
In an adaptation of the poem “A Masque at Ludlow Castle” by John Milton, two young men must rescue their sister Alice from Comus, the evil magician who has bewitched her and carried her off to his hidden kingdom.
The Pharaoh’s Court (Life In Ancient Egypt)
“Describes the daily life of the upper classes during the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, from about 1550 BCE to about 1070 BCE, including the structure of society, the differing roles of men and women, and what it was like to be a child in that era”–Provided by publisher.
In Nineteenth-Century London With Dickens (Come See My City!)
Presents young readers with a journey back in time accompanied by the author Charles Dickens as he provides a tour of nineteenth century London, discussing the everyday life of the people and visiting the famous landmarks of the city.
The Wolves In the Walls
There are sneaking,
creeping, crumpling
noises coming from
inside the walls.
Lucy is sure there are wolves living in the walls of their house–and, as everybody says, if the wolves come out of the walls, it’s all over. Her family doesn’t believe her. Then one day, the wolves come out. But it’s not all over. Instead, Lucy’s battle with the wolves is only just beginning.
New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards)