This fascinating book looks at many of the lodges, or dwellings, built and used by the native nations across the continent. A map showing the lodges appears at the beginning of the book, and beautiful, detailed illustrations show the exteriors, interiors, and way of life in each lodge. The straightforward layout and informative text present information in an easy-to-follow format. Homes include: - wigwams, longhouses, tipis - southern thatch homes and the pueblos of the Southwest - the plankhouses of the Northwest Coast - earth lodges, pit homes, hogans, and iglus Teacher's guide available. Grade 4-6-Accessible books about topics that are studied in most elementary schools. The information on housing, storage, village structure, and family life is straightforward, easy to read, and interesting, although life on the Plains seems less harsh than existence really was. The texts are peppered with full-color illustrations-at least one to a page-that depict Native Americans in historical times engaged in daily activities such as eating, storytelling, and building lodges. There are no source notes, and the glossary has no pronunciation guide. The illustrations are uneven. Some are reminiscent of 18th-century romantic paintings, some are contemporary, and some are just plain bad. For example, along with works by quality contemporary artists Howard Terpning and James Bama there are others where facial features are so poorly rendered that it is difficult to distinguish one person from another. The books are generally good, but the illustrations do them a great disservice. Michael Bad Hand Terry's Daily Life in a Plains Indian Village 1868 (Clarion, 2001) is a better choice because it uses real-life models to show actual clothing and articles used by Plains Indians. Dona J. Helmer, College Gate School Library, Anchorage, AK Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. Bobbie Kalman is the author and publisher of more than two hundred quality children's library books. She has created many of Crabtree's most popular series, including "The Early Settler Life Series," "The Historic Communities Series" and "The Crabapples Series" of "starter" books for younger children. Bobbie's latest series include "The Science of Living Things" and "Sports in Action." Bobbie's series are extremely successful in schools and public libraries because she writes them with specific curriculum needs in mind. She works with a writing team of creative writers who thoroughly research each topic. Colorful, attractive covers and entertaining text make her books sell equally well in bookstores and museums. Bobbie holds degrees in English, Psychology, and Education. She has taught at both the elementary and secondary level. As well as being a teacher, Bobbie has worked as an educational consultant with several publishing companies. Pueblo "apartments" Building the pueblos Pueblo villages were built on the ground and on cliffs. The houses often faced south or southwest to catch the warm afternoon sun. The roofs of the homes were held up by wooden beams. There were no doors or windows on the ground floor.