You Wouldn't Want to Be an Aztec Sacrifice! Gruesome Things You'd Rather Not Know (You Wouldn't Want To)
Grade 4-6-Uniform, present-tense, "you are there" discussions.  These titles are somewhat jovial in their portrayals of ghastly  subject matters, downplaying the horrors of human sacrifice, for  example. Cartoon characters are about to have a tree fall on  them in Railroad and find frozen bodies in the water in Titanic.  In Aztec Sacrifice, "you" are a captured warrior and end up  having your heart cut out as an offering to the gods.  Suggestions are made as to why a warrior would not be too  scared, maybe because an herbal potion could make him feel  drowsy and peaceful. Every spread offers a "Handy Hint" box. In  Railroad, "you" are advised to "Steer clear of the saloons and  casinos-." In Aztec Sacrifice, it is suggested that "you" make  offers to your city's guardian god for protection. Of the three  volumes, Aztec Sacrifice is the most gruesome and will therefore  appeal to a certain clientele. Because of its ever-popular  topic, Titanic will have no problem finding an audience. Because  of its less-gory premise, Railroad might need to follow on the  popularity of the other two titles. Heavily illustrated,  colorful, and far from dull, these titles will have little  trouble grabbing readers' interest.Anne Chapman Callaghan,  Racine Public Library, WICopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.