Cliff Dwellings
A Hidden World
From the Series Abandoned: Towns Without People
In 1888, two cowboys spotted something strange at the base of some rocky reddish-yellow cliffs in southwestern Colorado. There, carved into the side of a plateau, was a hidden village of buildings and towers filled with empty windows. The men climbed down to explore the strange cliff dwellings and found hidden staircases and hundreds of rooms, some filled with children’s toys, bowls, axes—and even skeletons! Who were the mysterious people who had built these structures? Why did they leave their homes, and where did they go? Cliff Dwellings: A Hidden World tells the amazing story of the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde, which were suddenly and mysteriously abandoned more than 700 years ago. The book includes a dramatic account of the discovery of the cliff houses, along with ideas about the people who lived in them and theories about why they suddenly abandoned their homes. Large color photos, maps, and fact boxes enrich the exciting story. Written in narrative format, this book is sure to keep readers hungry for more exciting real-life tales.
| Interest Level | Grade 2 - Grade 7 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 3 |
| Category | Hi-Lo, Nonfiction |
| Subject | Social Studies |
| Copyright | 2015 |
| Publisher | Bearport Publishing |
| Imprint | Bearport Books |
| Language | English |
| Publication Date | 2015-01-01 |
| Reading Counts! Level | 8.5 |
| Reading Counts! Quiz | Q66967 |
| Reading Counts! Points | 3.0 |
| BISACS | JNF025000 |
|---|---|
| Dewey | 978.8'27 |
| Graphics | Full-color illustrations, Full-color photographs, Historical photographs |
| Lexile | 1000 |
| Guided Reading Level | Q |
| ATOS Reading Level | 5.8 |
| Accelerated Reader® Quiz | 172003 |
| Accelerated Reader® Points | 0.5 |
Reviews
School Library Connection Review for Abandoned! Towns Without People
Each title begins with a brief introduction posing how once busy locations became abandoned; each book likewise ends with a comparison of then and now. Split into colorful two-page spreads, this series will appeal to readers who enjoy unsolved mysteries or learning about unusual episodes in history. Some of the stylistic illustrations, layout choices, and conclusions are intended to lend a spooky element to the series, with mixed results. Bibliography. Glossary. Index. Recommended
SLC Review - Abandoned! Towns Without People
Each title begins with a brief introduction posing how once busy locations became abandoned; each book likewise ends with a comparison of then and now. Split into colorful two-page spreads, this series will appeal to readers who enjoy unsolved mysteries or learning about unusual episodes in history. Some of the stylistic illustrations, layout choices, and conclusions are intended to lend a spooky element to the series, with mixed results.
The Horn Book Guide Review for Abandoned! Towns Without People
Despite a rather sensationalized title, this series is genuinely fascinating. Each book traces the history of a now-deserted town, explaining its population boom, possible reasons for decline, and what each abandoned place is like today. With interesting historical and contemporary photos and well-placed
sidebars, these are solid places to begin research on some of America’s stranger places.
Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.
