Continents and countries are a mainstay of elementary- and middle-school reports, and these entries in the Earth's Continents series (7 titles) offer the usual fare ographic features, history, states or provinces, etc. ong with some intriguing contemporary topics, unusual facts, and plenty of helpful context. Antarctica covers the southernmost continent's climate; its multinational status; the contested history of who set foot on it first what it's like to live there and some of its wildlife, such as its largest terrestrial creature, the quarter-inch-long Antarctic midge. A sidebar about the slim number of people born in Antarctica (the first in 1978) is particularly fascinating. Each volume is heavily illustrated with captioned photos and closes with the usual back matter, along with a recipe and an activity. Although broad in overall scope, these introductions to continents offer enough pithy, interest-piquing facts to encourage further, deeper research elsewhere.

Everett, Reese . Australia . ISBN 9781641564120 . Klepeis, Alicia . Asia . ISBN 9781641564069 . Klepeis, Alicia . Europe . ISBN 9781641564113 . Uhl, Xina M. South America . ISBN 9781641564106 . Whipple, Annette . Africa . ISBN 9781641564076 . Whipple, Annette . North America . ISBN 9781641564090 .ea vol: 32p. (Earth's Continents). further reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. websites. Rourke . Jul. 2018. lib. ed. $32.79. Gr 5-8 A fact-filled series enriched by colorful photos, maps, contemporary drawings, prints, paintings, and informative sidebars. Each volume opens with parent-teacher resources, questions that gauge students' prior knowledge, and words they will encounter while reading. After-reading activities include comprehension questions and an extension project. The table of contents in each title lists the continent's countries (except Antarctica ; Australia lists states). Topics covered include geography, history, government, economy, nature, wildlife, plants, food, and people. Highlights of each volume: a recipe representing a country ( Antarctica 's is a high-energy/calorie food for scientists) and an activity, usually a craft or game, typical of that country. ( Antarctica has a science experiment; South America teaches the tango.) VERDICT Engaging, and conversational in tone, this series is good for report writers.