The Dead Sea Scrolls
Grade 6-9.  Nothing could be less "dead" than these famous documents, and Cooper's book honors their vitality. Each chapter, while tracing the history and significance of the scrolls, manages to end on a note of suspense. The book proceeds chronologically from their discovery in 1947 to the present (developments have not ceased) with occasional excursions back into the distant past to bring the makers (or keepers) of the scrolls to life. The author's account is fair to all sides?not an easy task?and captures a sense of the excitement felt by scholars and archaeologists. Eight full-page, black-and-white drawings also alternate between the remote and recent past. Human touches (e.g., the mortgage that funded the purchase of the first scrolls in Israel) and vivid descriptions (e.g., of the painstaking job of reconstruction) keep interest high. The book's value is enhanced by a carefully annotated bibliography, including both adult and youth-oriented sources and a web site. History, archaeology, politics, religion, and human interest?surely this book will catch readers with one of these fascinating lures.?Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RICopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.