Amazing Treasures: 100+ Objects and Places That Will Boggle Your Mind (Our Amazing World #2)

Gr 2-6--The second installment in the "Our Amazing World" series spotlights fascinating treasures from around the world. The text begins with an explanation of what makes a treasure, which is defined as "anything that's important or valuable to someone." That definition encompasses an array of items, places, and natural wonders. As a result, the book offers a wide study of world history, people, and cultural artifacts. Each spread contains multiple vignettes organized by theme. Each illustration is accompanied by an informational paragraph. One spread focuses on fossils, with scenes showing different dinosaur discoveries from Tanzania and China, and the strange Cambrian creatures found in Canada's Burgess Shale. Another spread spotlights architectural treasures, with depictions and descriptions of the Taj Mahal, Pantheon, Hagia Sophia, and the Palace of Versailles. The artwork is lush and immersive. A foldout world map adds additional interest, showing the location of many of the world's treasures. Pages teem with exciting discoveries, such as the Svalbard Seed Vault in Norway, the Moai of Easter Island, and the Benin Bronzes. VERDICT An illuminating international treasure hunt sure to invite repeat perusals; a welcome addition to nonfiction collections.--Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State Univ., OH

Selected for Children's Book Committee's Notable Social Studies List 2022

Selected for School Library Journal's Summer Reading List 2021 for Middle-Graders

"Young readers ages 7-11 will thoroughly enjoy discovering sunken wrecks loaded with pirate gold, the abandoned tombs of the world's most powerful rulers, and even meteorites, and even treasures from outer space!" —Midwest Book Review

"A central foldout map reveals the locations of all the treasures featured in the multi illustrated pages of Amazing Treasures, while author David Long also addresses contemporary topics such as our threatened natural wonders and the ownership of cultural treasures — making Amazing Treasures certain to be an enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school, middle school, and community library collections for young readers." —Midwest Book Review

"The illustrations are bright and engaging. They show accurate descriptions of the objects. A fun book for historians and treasure hunters alike." —Stephanie Tournas, Youth Services Book Review