Zobel, Derek. Scotland.

Zobel, Derek.     Scotland.   Scholastic/Grolier      32p   $22.95      978-0531-120-696-6      elem        Series: Exploring Countries (Scholastic)  VG           

This title about Scotland is written for readers in grades 2-4 who are ready to read for information rather than learning to read.  The text covers the geography and culture of Scotland.  Great emphasis is placed on daily life, such as going to school, playing, food, and holidays.  These are topics of special interest to children.  They want to see how other children do things, but only the school photo includes children.  All the other photographs show only adults.

The text is enhanced with photographs and quick “Did you know” text blocks.  Additional information includes a page of fast facts about Scotland, a fairly extensive glossary, a brief list of resources and a brief index.

The text is quite straightforward and a bit dry, and the style is simply a list of the facts.  This is not terribly exciting for readers, but good for informational reports.      The Exploring Countries series covers most nations of the world, with text that covers geography briefly and many aspects of the culture.                                   --Joan Theal

Crain, Cynthia D. Adam Smith.

Crain, Cynthia D. Adam Smith.
Morgan Reynolds 2010 155p 28.95 978-1-59935-107-0 ms/hs
Profiles in Economics(MR)

An observer of human nature and a man of delicate health, Adam Smith dedicated his life to becoming a scholar and an economist. An intellectual who enjoyed reading more than he did his classes, he read books about philosophers and later established a written communication with Hume. A biography of Adam Smith, a scholar, philosopher and intellectual. An observer of human nature and a man of delicate health, Adam Smith dedicated his life to becoming a scholar and an Economist. His love of books led him to read scholarly book and enjoyed reading all sorts of book to taking classes. He read about the greatest philosophers from the past and corresponded with philosophers of his time. He became very good friends with David Hume, a historian more than philosopher and he was an excellent economist. A very religious and moral man, Adam Smith gave public lectures, became a professor at the university of Glasgow and in 1751 published The Theory of Moral Sentiments. His greatest piece is the book called “An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of a Nation” also known as The Wealth of a Nation. An in depth look at a very complex man whose thoughts may have been before his time. Includes: Index, Web Sites, Bibliography and Time Line. Diaz, Magna

A read along for the new movie: Elizabeth The Golden Age

Lotz, Nancy. Mary Queen of Scots. Morgan Reynolds, 2007. 160p 1-59935-040-8 $32.00

In Morgan Reynolds' European Queens series, authors Nancy Lotz and Carlene Phillips outline the sad life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Born amid the tempestuous religious conflict raging across Europe in the mid-16th century, Mary was the only daughter Of James V of Scotland and Marie de Guise, and their only surviving child. Upon James' death, Mary at nine months of age, Mary was crowned Queen of the Scots. She inherited a kingdom torn apart by English rule, clan wars, religious conflict and the battles fought for Scottish independence.

The Scots' Queen was determined to restore and impose Catholicism to Scotland, which had been outlawed under the rule of Henry VIII of England. Indeed, most of the conflict that surrounded Mary's life, especially the misgivings she had with her cousin, Elizabeth I, would point directly back to the tension felt between Catholics and Protestants and the struggle to see one throne in power. Elizabeth had Mary put to death after 15 years of captivity in various castles around England, after hearing of Mary's involvement in a plot to kill Elizabeth. Brave to the last, Mary was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in February, 1587, taking with her the plots and rebellions against the Protestant English Queen.

This is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to know more about Mary, Queen of Scots or about the English monarchy in general. Very well illustrated with portraits and paintings, a timeline and family trees of Mary's both French and English roots, and a list of principal figures in Mary's life. Includes chapter notes, a glossary, a bibliography, booklist, website recommendations, and an index.