Top 10 Worst Things About Ancient Egypt

Gr 3–6—Each page is packed with information that readers will find fascinating, and a balance of disgusting and interesting is nicely achieved. Mummification is tops on the worst chart in Egypt, and slavery is at the top of the list in Greece and Rome, but war, medicines, daily life, and Olympic games are also mentioned. All of the books follow the same format, but the increase in gore and revolting facts gives Ruthless Warriors the best hook for some readers. Vital statistics boxes give quick facts about warriors such as Genghis Khan (#1) and Alexander the Great (#2), and the broad time period covered might pique readers' interest in other events in history. In each book, the table of contents showing the top 10 is helpful for comprehension, but the glossaries are difficult to utilize since the words are not highlighted in the texts. Antram's funny, colorful cartoons, several per page, plus helpful charts and maps, increase the appeal of these titles, and dialogue bubbles bring additional comic elements to the books.—Rachel Artley, Watertown Elementary School, TN