Nonfiction Kids" Book About World War I Brings History to Life
Summary
Like other DK Eyewitness Books, DK Eyewitness World War I by Simon Adams uses a combination of words and photographs to shed light on a specific subject, in this case the history and impact of World War I. First published in 2001, the book has been updated and revised in honor of the 100th anniversary of World War I and is now available in a paperbck edition. DK Eyewitness World War I provides an easy-to-follow look at the war, from the first rumblings of unrest to the official end of the war, plus additional sections that spotlight particular aspects of World War I, a glossary, a resources list and an index.
DK Eyewitness World War I is an excellent book for middle grade readers that older teens and adults will also appreciate.
Contents
Readers' interest is immediately captured by the cover. Embedded in a historic photograph of three World War I soldiers are the words "WORLD WAR I" and below the photo are the words "Witness the horror and heroism of the Great War - from the assassination of an archduke to life in the trenches." The 72-page book is divided into 34 sections, each taking up a double page spread. The example above, pages 30-31, is titled "Casualty."
In addition to such sections as the first five - "Divided Europe," "A fatal shot," "War in the west," "Fighting men" and "Joining up" - sections include: "Women at war," "War in the air," "Gas attack" and "Tank warfare." Not until page 54 does "The US joins" appear. The story of World War I ends with "The final year," "Armistice and peace" and "The cost of war."
This is followed by a "Did You Know?" spread that includes a page of facts and a page of questions and answers, after which comes the "People and places" section, which includes a page of information about important personalities and a page about major battles.
The "Find out more" spread has photos of events and places related to World War I, as well as a list of useful website and places to visit. The Glossary contains more than 70 helpful definitions that range from concrete objects like "bayonet" and "fuselage" to such words as "abdicate" and "propaganda."
Illustrations
The illustrations are key to the book's effectiveness, both in keeping readers' attention and in extending their knowledge by providing a visual representation of many of the important facets of World War I. Historic photographs of soldiers in combat, in the trenches, and in the hospital as well as photos of cemeteries filled with the graves of soldiers who died in the war bring home the high cost of World War I.
In addition to other historic photos of ships, tanks and other equipment, there are many illustrations by photographer Andy Crawford of artifacts from the war, including uniforms and equipment, such as the face masks, goggles and respirators used as protection against poison gas. There are also some maps and spot illustrations, all of which help the story of World War I to come alive for readers.
My Recommendation
Schools seem to put little emphasis on World War I, so many children will bring little prior knowledge to DK Eyewitness World War I. The use of many visual images and short descriptions, with an emphasis on the passage of the war and its impact make this book an excellent introduction to World War 1 for upper elementary and middle school students. The only addition I would have liked to see is a timeline of major events. Reluctant readers who cringe at books with unbroken pages of text will particularly appreciate the use of pictures, as well as words, to tell the story.
World War I Resources from About.com20th Century History
DK Eyewitness World War ICover Art and Publication Information
Click on the arrow below to see DK Eyewitness World War I cover art and get publication details.
Title: DK Eyewitness World War I
Author: Simon Adams
Illustrator: Photographer Andy Crawford
Length: 72 pages
Format: Paperback, about 8½" x 11"
Recommended for: The publisher recommends the book for ages 8 to 12. I think it will particularly appeal to kids 9 to 14, including reluctant readers.
Categories: History, nonfiction, middle grade, war
Publisher: DK, a division of Penguin Random House (USA)
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 9781465420589
Additional Recommended Fiction and Nonfiction for Middle Grade Readers
Some of the award-winning fiction about American wars includes Johnny Tremain, set in the Revolutionary War era, and Across Five Aprils, set in the Civil War era. For a dramatic nonfiction book, I recommend Bomb: The Race to Build-and Steal-the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, which begins in 1938. Author Steve Sheinkin received the 2013 Robert F. Siebert Informational Book Medal for Bomb.
Like other DK Eyewitness Books, DK Eyewitness World War I by Simon Adams uses a combination of words and photographs to shed light on a specific subject, in this case the history and impact of World War I. First published in 2001, the book has been updated and revised in honor of the 100th anniversary of World War I and is now available in a paperbck edition. DK Eyewitness World War I provides an easy-to-follow look at the war, from the first rumblings of unrest to the official end of the war, plus additional sections that spotlight particular aspects of World War I, a glossary, a resources list and an index.
DK Eyewitness World War I is an excellent book for middle grade readers that older teens and adults will also appreciate.
Contents
Readers' interest is immediately captured by the cover. Embedded in a historic photograph of three World War I soldiers are the words "WORLD WAR I" and below the photo are the words "Witness the horror and heroism of the Great War - from the assassination of an archduke to life in the trenches." The 72-page book is divided into 34 sections, each taking up a double page spread. The example above, pages 30-31, is titled "Casualty."
In addition to such sections as the first five - "Divided Europe," "A fatal shot," "War in the west," "Fighting men" and "Joining up" - sections include: "Women at war," "War in the air," "Gas attack" and "Tank warfare." Not until page 54 does "The US joins" appear. The story of World War I ends with "The final year," "Armistice and peace" and "The cost of war."
This is followed by a "Did You Know?" spread that includes a page of facts and a page of questions and answers, after which comes the "People and places" section, which includes a page of information about important personalities and a page about major battles.
The "Find out more" spread has photos of events and places related to World War I, as well as a list of useful website and places to visit. The Glossary contains more than 70 helpful definitions that range from concrete objects like "bayonet" and "fuselage" to such words as "abdicate" and "propaganda."
Illustrations
The illustrations are key to the book's effectiveness, both in keeping readers' attention and in extending their knowledge by providing a visual representation of many of the important facets of World War I. Historic photographs of soldiers in combat, in the trenches, and in the hospital as well as photos of cemeteries filled with the graves of soldiers who died in the war bring home the high cost of World War I.
In addition to other historic photos of ships, tanks and other equipment, there are many illustrations by photographer Andy Crawford of artifacts from the war, including uniforms and equipment, such as the face masks, goggles and respirators used as protection against poison gas. There are also some maps and spot illustrations, all of which help the story of World War I to come alive for readers.
My Recommendation
Schools seem to put little emphasis on World War I, so many children will bring little prior knowledge to DK Eyewitness World War I. The use of many visual images and short descriptions, with an emphasis on the passage of the war and its impact make this book an excellent introduction to World War 1 for upper elementary and middle school students. The only addition I would have liked to see is a timeline of major events. Reluctant readers who cringe at books with unbroken pages of text will particularly appreciate the use of pictures, as well as words, to tell the story.
World War I Resources from About.com20th Century History
- World War I - An Overview
- World War I Photos
- World War I Timeline
- "Over There" - A Famous Song of World War I
DK Eyewitness World War ICover Art and Publication Information
Click on the arrow below to see DK Eyewitness World War I cover art and get publication details.
Title: DK Eyewitness World War I
Author: Simon Adams
Illustrator: Photographer Andy Crawford
Length: 72 pages
Format: Paperback, about 8½" x 11"
Recommended for: The publisher recommends the book for ages 8 to 12. I think it will particularly appeal to kids 9 to 14, including reluctant readers.
Categories: History, nonfiction, middle grade, war
Publisher: DK, a division of Penguin Random House (USA)
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 9781465420589
Additional Recommended Fiction and Nonfiction for Middle Grade Readers
Some of the award-winning fiction about American wars includes Johnny Tremain, set in the Revolutionary War era, and Across Five Aprils, set in the Civil War era. For a dramatic nonfiction book, I recommend Bomb: The Race to Build-and Steal-the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, which begins in 1938. Author Steve Sheinkin received the 2013 Robert F. Siebert Informational Book Medal for Bomb.
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