Comparative Religion: Investigate the World Through Religious Tradition

Inquire and Investigate

by Carla Mooney, Lena Chandhok (Illustrations)

Over 7 billion people live on the earth, and 84 percent of them describe themselves as being religious. Few topics incite such passion as religion. What does that mean? Why are humans invested in ideas that may never be proved? Why has religion played such an important role in history?

In Comparative Religion: Investigate the World through Religious Tradition, readers seek answers to these questions by comparing and contrasting the cultural, spiritual, and geographical underpinnings of five different religions. By developing a better understanding of the similarities and differences among religions of the world, readers gain a strong foothold in a dialogue that has continued for thousands of years.

Combining hands-on activities with theology, history, geography, world cultures, art, and architecture, Comparative Religion encourages deeper understanding of the world’s religions. Entertaining graphic art, fascinating sidebars, and links to primary sources bring the topic to life, while key questions reaffirm foundational concepts.

Activities include conducting an interview with a rabbi, comparing the story of Abraham and Isaac in three sacred texts, studying the architecture of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, studying the Hindu practice of yoga and meditation, and examining how religious doctrines shape the behavior of believers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2015

About the author

Carla Mooney is an award-winning author of numerous nonfiction STEAM books for kids and teens. She hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of nonfiction in youth.

Reviews

[Libriar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. For general background information on religion written for middle school students this book is decent enough. Where it really falls apart are the bad cartoons and the side bars with the QR codes. Apparently there was no desire to get permission to use any outside visuals so even when describing in detail the Buddhist Wheel of Life, there is no visual for it.

[anna near]

I read this for a paper and it was fine. Definitely meant for younger kids, but I really just needed an additional source so it worked.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is intended for the 12-15 year olds. It is one in a series entitled Inquire and Investigate. I found it to be a wonderful book!! Not only can it be read for common knowledge, its format makes it a useful tool if writing a report. There are five chapters discussing Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christanity, and Islam and a sixth, Many Religions, One World. At the end of each chapter are exercises designed for further learning and throughout the entire book there are QR codes to scan and we all know how much kids love using their tablets.

[Julia Bilderback · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given this book 3 stars out of 5 as an average score, but it had a major flaw. The book relied heavily on QR codes. Not all phones have QR code readers and it assumes that all readers have access to phones with QR code readers. Each code should have included the corresponding website at the bottom of the page or there should have been a master list in the back of the book that would have listed each website and what page recommended it. This was a massive flaw on the author's part and the publisher should have addressed it before the book went to print.

[coal · Rating 2 out of 5]

grrrr i hate religion

[Marian Gracis · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75. Written for middle school age students it seems oversimplified and generalized.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is labeled YA, anyone interested in comparing religions would be thrilled with this book--colorful and very informative. Includes QR codes lead the researcher to Primary Sources.

[Kylie]

An introduction to the world’s 5 largest religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.

Recommended grade level: 4-8

Pages: 128 (for ISBN 9781619303058)

Genre(s) and keywords: nonfiction

Tone/Style: informational

Pace: fast

Topics: religion, religious conflict, coexistence, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam

Themes: moral codes, God/gods, the purpose of existence, the origins of the universe

Who will like this book?: This works well as a quick, basic introduction to five world religions for readers unfamiliar with the subject matter. (Or, unfamiliar with the religions that aren’t their own.) Its messages of tolerance and coexistence will make it a winner with adults trying to instill these values.

Who won’t like this book?: It can be a little hokey, especially the comics. Some readers will find it easy to make fun of. Readers with a lot of interest in the subject may feel there is not enough information here.

Other comments: This reads like a textbook, which is strange because it reads too young for high school, but I can’t imagine anyone younger than high school taking a comparative religion class. It also, unfortunately, contains a lot of QR codes. What kid is going to scan a QR code to access additional educational content online?

Sequel(s):

Readalikes: DK Publishers offers Religion by Myrtle Langley and What Do You Believe? by Margaret Parrish. There’s also Comparative Religion for Dummies by William P. Lazarus, for those who can read at an adult level.

Read about more recommended books for middle school readers at www.flashlightchronicles.com.