An interdisciplinary book for students ages 12 to 15 that delves into one of the most horrific periods in global history. An excellent roadmap for today’s political climate. The basic human losses of World War I can be made plain with these staggering casualties: 9 million dead soldiers, 7 million civilian lives lost, millions more wounded. But those numbers only hint at the devastation, both political and personal, that lies at the heart of the Great War. World War I: The Great War to End All Wars for ages 12 to 15 brings to light the key details of this critical point in history. It marks the transition to a modern era in which mass destruction became a reality through military technologies a century in the making. By examining military life on the battlefields and in the trenches, as well as focusing on anti-war protest movements, art and popular culture, home-front efforts across the globe, and experiences in British and French colonies, this book offers a sense of how World War I penetrated all corners of the world and impacted all of its peoples. Graphic novel-style illustrations, amazing historical photography, and primary sources bring the past to life and illustrate how far World War I reached around the globe. Through an interdisciplinary approach, themes of "Time, Continuity, and Change," "Science, Technology, and Society," and global interconnectedness are key concepts that drive the narrative. This accessible, social history introduces the conflict from the varied perspectives of those who lived it. Profiled within its pages are improbable heroes, from volunteer, "Flying Aces" to a resistant Belgian king, from Native American soldiers who stymied Central Power intelligence officials to German artists who organized to demand "Never Again War." Projects include Research recruiting on the football and rugby pitch, Analyze the messages and the messengers, Discover satire in the pre-war years, and Colonial Cartography: The scramble for Africa. Aligns with Common Core state standards. Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. Essential questions guide readers’ investigations while hands-on activities promote critical and creative problem solving, and text-to-world connections highlight the way the past provides context for the present-day world. About the Inquire & Investigate series and Nomad Press Nomad Press books in the Inquire & Investigate series integrate content with participation, encouraging readers to engage in student-directed learning. Combining content with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and themes identified by the National Council for Social Studies. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats. Gr 7-10-This title examines the events surrounding World War I. A time line, which begins with Germany's unification, helps frame the book's content. Each chapter begins with Rauch's cartoon illustrations, which help to communicate the chapter's topic. Critical thinking questions and a research project are included at the end of each chapter. Lesser-known details about the war, such as the Choctaw code talkers from the United States and the French taxi cab drivers who aided in the war effort, are discussed alongside more familiar facts. Concepts such as nationalism, communism, anti-Semitism, workers' rights, women's suffrage, and racism are presented with varying levels of depth and context. In addition to the main text, nearly every page shows a sidebar. While these sidebars feature useful details and encourage browsing, they are sometimes overwhelming. Awkwardly written sentences and some type choices distract from the information. Most of the photographs and graphics have captions and credits listed, and there is a recommended book and website list in the back matter. Primary source material, with QR codes, are included throughout. VERDICT A useful title for writing reports or browsing. However, given the quality of other readily available World War I titles, this is ultimately a supplemental purchase.-Hilary Writt, formerly at Sullivan Univ., Lexington, KYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. The Children’s War “What sets this new work from Nomad Press apart from so many other books about WWI for young people is the stress on using primary sources. I can't recommend this book highly enough.” Praise for Other books in the Series: The Vietnam War by Barbara Diggs School Library Connections The author does not shy from describing the deception and dishonesty prevalent among these central players, and