Smith, Tony. Shaolin Monks.

Smith, Tony.  Shaolin Monks.  Scholastic/ Childrens Press   24p  978-0-531-20783-3 elem  Series: History's Greatest Warriors (Scholastic/Childrens)           Good       

Shaolin monks, while Buddhist and peace loving, undergo extensive training and embrace a discipline that makes them some of the fiercest warriors in the history of China. Through the use of bold, bright illustrations and limited text, the author brings their training and history to younger readers. Throughout the text there are bold-face words that are defined in the glossary at the back of the book, such as "Buddhism" on page 5, and "flail" on page 13.  While the book is more picture than text, it is informative and engaging.  It concludes with a glossary, a list of resources both print and web, and an index.      Written for elementary students, the high interest, low level books in the series will certainly find an audience with young, male readers and also with ESL students.  The books are more photo than text, but are still most informative.                                                                      --Lynn Fisher