Booklist "Grades 5-8. Aimed at the “not-so-enthusiastic reader,” titles in the Biography from Ancient Civilizations: Legends, Folklore, and Stories of Ancient Worlds series introduce their subjects with lively narratives filled with anecdotes and quotes about the profiled historical figures that will spark students’ curiosity. In The Life and Times of Clovis, King of the Franks, Rice provides no references for a moment in which Clovis “showed no outward sign of emotion but a wound began to fester in his heart.” Still, the well-integrated specifics create engaging portraits of world-changing leaders and their times. A few blurry artists’ renderings crop up in each title, but for the most part, the numerous visuals, including maps, reproductions from illuminated manuscripts, and photos of artifacts, such as weaponry, will draw students into the compelling stories. A personal chronology, a time line setting each life in context, chapter notes for direct quotes, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading complete these titles that seek to generate high interest in ancient history."
--Booklist (February 15, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 12) School Library Journal Gr 6-9-Although these books are by the same author, they vary considerably in interest, readability, and appeal. Attila, an average production, has inadequate maps. Clovis is by far the worst; it's wordy and uses archaic, often unintelligible language. Eleanor is disappointingly condensed and limited, providing more information on family members than on the queen herself. It's woefully unbalanced (40 crucial years of her life are covered in 5 pages), and there are numerous omissions. All three titles assume basic knowledge, of the Roman Empire or Middle Ages. Each one features unappealing illustrations. Suggested pronunciations are given for only a few words, and the glossaries are incomplete. Finally, Rice offers nothing about the influence of these individuals or their place in Western culture-what is the value of studying them? No young adult biography of Eleanor can compare to Polly Brooks's excellent Queen Eleanor (Houghton, 1999).-Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.