Book Title: If Stones Could Speak: Unlocking the Secrets of Stonehenge
Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Marc Aronson
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Copyright Date: 2010
Selection Choice: Orbis Pictus Honor Book
Brief Annotation: If Stones Could Speak is a nonfiction book about the most recent theory relating to the purpose of the famous historical site, Stonehenge in England. The story unfolds, following archaeologist, Mike Parker, through his scientific process of forming a theory and proving its truth through discovery and research. Aside from doing the research, he has to convince people to accept a new idea about something that has been studied for hundreds of years. With the help of insights from his archaeologist friend from Madagascar, Parker realizes that Stonehenge is connected to other nearby archeological sites and was used, probably, as a place to honor the dead. A main theme throughout this book is to always question theories and ideas, regardless of popular opinion.
Your Rating: 5/5 stars
Readers who will like this book: Students who enjoy mysteries, history, and science will enjoy this book. Anyone who enjoys questioning popular opinion will appreciate the theme. This is a good book for adults, as well as children. I had learned, in an Art History course, that Stonehenge was most likely a clock of some sort, so this discovery of its use as a place to honor the dead was new to me, and very interesting. I have enhanced my own background knowledge. The target audience is 5th-8th graders, but anyone can learn from this book.
Question to ask about this book before reading: What do you know about Stonehenge? What are some of your theories about what its purpose was?
Question to ask about this book during reading: (I'm taking this one right out of the book because he posed some great questions). What would you do if you were entrusted with a really important idea that most of the world dismissed or ignored? How would you know to trust yourself? How would you convince people to let you test your idea?
Question to ask about this book after reading: How has your understanding of Stonehenge changed? Do you accept Parker's theory? Why or why not?
Optional, but noted as extra effort:
1. Interest Level (age): 9-14
2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5-8
Use book wizard to help with the previous 2 areas
3. List awards: Orbus Pictus Honor, 2011
Good nonfiction aimed at children has the exact effect on readers that you've described. It's good for both kid and adult readers, it challenges what you think you knew about a topic (even if "only" extending your understanding), and it covers a range of ideas beyond what the title suggests.
ReplyDeleteI've had this book on my shelf for about a year now, but I haven't read it. Your review has bumped the book to the top of my "must read list"! Last spring I read a different book by this author about the sugar trade and it was fascinating.
Your questions are terrific, and thanks for acknowledging that one of them was written under the influence of the author's own question. That's another thing you'll learn in EDUC 3550--high quality nonfiction has a lot of access features, that is, parts of the book outside the "basic" text that help support comprehension and that encourage further reading. Reading questions are one of those access features.
I wonder what you're going to read next. Your selection so far has been varied (within nonfiction) and well selected.