Northwest Territories. (Canada Close Up). Rachel Eagen. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2009. 44 pp., pbk., $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-98911-4. Subject Heading: Northwest Territories-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-4 / Ages 6-9. Review by John Dryden. *** /4
	Yukon. (Canada Close Up). Adrianna Morganelli. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2009. 44 pp., pbk., $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-98910-7. Subject Heading: Yukon Territory-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-4 / Ages 6-9. Review by John Dryden. *** /4

excerpt:

With a crew of Aboriginal guides and several fur traders, Mackenzie followed the river all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Because the river had not led to the Pacific Ocean, Mackenzie was disappointed. Today this river is called he Mackenzie River. (From Northwest Territories.)

At the summit, the prospectors reached the shore of Lindeman Lake, but they still had to travel almost 800 kilometers by water to reach Dawson City, the settlement closest to the gold. To cross the lake and sail up the Yukon River, they had to make their own simple boats or rafts. (From Yukon.)

Northwest Territories and Yukon are part of the "Canada Close Up" series and will prove to be a very good resource for students wanting to do a research project. Each book has a table of contents, and following a brief introductory page, each book is divided into six chapters and concludes with a glossary. Both books touch on the geography, climate, wildlife, history, resources, society and culture of their respective areas.

      Both books are quite interesting and do a good job of introducing the Northwest and Yukon Territories. The text is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous photos, maps and other forms of illustration. There is a very nice mix of photos of wildlife, geography, people, and industry. It will be interesting for readers to read the information regarding how people live and adapt to life in the territorial climates. The unique history of the areas, as well as the wildlife that abounds, are described. In Northwest Territories, a chapter which is dedicated to the mining industry will demonstrate to the reader the importance of this industry to the area.

      The author of Yukon, Adrianna Morganelli, can be added to the list of authors who have been inspired to write about the Yukon! Other authors and illustrators of note from here are Pierre Burton, Robert Service, and Ted Harrison! The only thing that I found peculiar about this book related to choice of words for the glossary. For example, 'treeline' was presented in the glossary for explanation, but 'permafrost' was explained in the main text.

      Northwest Territories and Yukon will be good resources for students doing research.

Recommended.

John Dryden is an elementary school teacher in BC's Cowichan Valley.

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