Reading Level: Grade 3 Interest Level: Grades 3 – 7
Rusty boats litter the ground. The smell of dead fish fills the air. Who would believe the Salton Riviera was once a popular vacation spot? Once host to thousands of beachgoers, the area now sits empty. This high-interest book will outline just what caused the community’s decline. Special features such as maps, timelines, and fun facts add even more to this interesting 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.
