Medieval England was a time of great change and uncertainty. Readers will be enthralled as they learn about various aspects of the Middle Ages in England including the feudal system, Hundred Years War, War of the Roses, and the bubonic plague. The detailed images and captivating facts and sidebars work in conjunction with easy-to-read text, glossary, and index to give readers an enjoyable and engaging reading experience that introduces them to such rulers as Henry II, Thomas Beckett, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Richard the Lion Hearted. About Shell Education Rachelle Cracchiolo started the company with a friend and fellow teacher. Both were eager to share their ideas and passion for education with other classroom leaders. What began as a hobby, selling lesson plans to local stores, became a part-time job after a full day of teaching, and eventually blossomed into Teacher Created Materials. The story continued in 2004 with the launch of Shell Education and the introduction of professional resources and classroom application books designed to support Teacher Created Materials curriculum resources. Today, Teacher Created Materials and Shell Education are two of the most recognized names in educational publishing around the world. Gr 4-5-A great feature of this series is that the volumes are complementary to one another. For example, Medieval accompanies Chaucer. It's an effective way of narrowing the focus and providing a specific experience connected to the era. Some information overlaps within each pairing, but since these are introductions, that's not necessarily a flaw as it can reinforce some key points. Oversimplification and superficiality are a risk when covering a subject as broad as the Byzantine Empire or the Enlightenment for a younger audience, but the authors do an admirable job of achieving depth while maintaining accessibility. Reproductions, photos, and sidebars break up the texts without making them too busy. Each book concludes by revisiting a tidbit from the text and inviting readers to complete a creative and thought-provoking activity. α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.