Reading Level: Grade 3 Interest Level: Grades 3 – 7
Only a century ago, Kolmanskop was a diamond boomtown. The town produced more than a million carats a year! But what happened to Kolmanskop after the diamond boom fizzled? This high-interest title explores the rise of Kolmanskop and its slow decline back into empty desert. Special features such as a map, a timeline, and unique fun facts add to this fascinating title.
This series, written at a third grade reading level, tackles a range of abandoned locales, from a lost Neolithic village to a recently abandoned amusement park. Each title sets the scene with fascinating images of the deserted places as they are now before exploring often mysterious histories. These topics could serve as a segue into world history topics such as mining in Africa (Kolmanskop) and Hurricane Katrina (Six Flags New Orleans). The narratives are fast moving and told over four digestible chapters. Each page features one short paragraph, along with full-page color photographs and eye-catching graphics that help readers visualize each setting. The text is augmented with additional features such as maps and a time line, along with an index, a glossary, and a further reading list. VERDICT: Chronicling the rise and fall of destinations around the world, this series will draw in readers with its striking covers and engrossing true stories.
