Discover more about the amazing Maya by visiting the city of Chichen Itza. Although it's known more as an important tourist attraction today, the city of Chichen Itza was a powerful religious, political, scientific, and artistic center of the Maya people. Readers will learn about how Chichen Itza began and what happened to cause the downfall of a great society. The book also provides details about the culture of the Maya of Chichen Itza and the stunning architecture they built like the El Castillo pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, and the massive ball court that was used for games and rituals.
The Who HQ books are really quality. In terms of nonfiction books that I've discovered by homeschooling the past year, these have probably been the best. Where is Chichen Itza? is another example of a great nonfiction history book for kids.
This time we're exploring the Maya city of Chichen Itza, which I had heard of before, but didn't know a lot about. What was nice about the book was that it both described the culture of the Maya and the specifics about Chichen Itza itself. This was nice, because I didn't know much about the Maya, and I doubt it is a topic covered in too many elementary schools around the country.
The downside to these books is that they are nonfiction and very matter of fact. I feel like they're very informative and accessible, but if you (or your children) are not one who enjoys nonfiction then this could be a harder book to enjoy. I don't have that problem in our household so I can't say how those who dislike nonfiction books would receive it.
I've reviewed many of the WHO HQ books over the last year. I've really enjoyed them and think they do a great job of giving an overview of the topics they tackle. They're a great introduction for kids and will still teach the majority of adults quite a bit as well. I definitely recommend this book, but really the whole series of books for your history needs.
The popular WHO HQ series turns its lens on the Mayan city of Chichen Itza for a deeper look at the city and its history. The book covers the Mayan culture, what the city was like at its most dramatic point, how the city was lost to time, the role the Spanish played in the decline of this advanced society, and how the site was rediscovered and studied in the modern era.
This series is much loved by readers from 3rd grade on. This title follows the traditional format that make these books both popular and accessible. It has an attractive cover, a high interest reading level that good younger readers and older readers will not be overwhelmed with, and ink illustrations throughout. At just around 100 pages it will meet many teachers’ requirements for informational non-fiction reading and children who love to learn will have no trouble reading this for fun. Book extras include a dual timeline of the city and world history as well as a bibliography of further reading.
I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library. This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.
2020 has kept me close to home, so I've traveled vicariously through books. When I saw Who HQ had a new book on Chichen Itza, I was eager to get my hands on it. I visited Chichen Itza in real life back in 2006 and was excited to "revisit." The book is well illustrated and did a pretty good job of taking me back to El Castillo, the observatory, the Platform of the Skulls, the ball court, and more. Incredibly fascinating place! There have been new discoveries made since I was there, cool to learn about. There were also things I learned while there that I wished had been in the book.
The architecture and features of the place, how it was built and used, are much more interesting to me than the long history, wars and Maya society. The book is a combination of both, making it informative, but sometimes a little boring.
I have learned a lot about the history of this temple and its people. It is amazing how much the lives of the Maya were effected by their use of water and how it connected to its gods. There has been a lot learned about this culture in the past forty years due to a young man figuring out the code to their language. It is well worth your time to read this book.
Where is Chichen Itza? Explores the history of the Maya culture. It also shares knowledge of geography, traditions, and history of the land and its people.
I enjoy these books alongside my son. They are informative but not too heavy to understand.
A great read to understand who Mayans are and their history. Chicken Itza understandably turns out to be the only architecture that has survived the times of conquests and changing rules.
I learned a lot from this book like I always do from the series but was in disbelief that I had to Google how to pronounce Chichen Itza because the author didn't bother to say