Great resource for middle school and high school classrooms. This book is visual and easy for students to get through. Good information for an overview of world religions. ( )

The title says it all! Each religion is clearly outlined. They talk about ancient religions, people of the book, religions if India, Chinese and Japanese religions, spirit religions and new religions. I think this is a great book for a beginner to get an overall view of the differences and similarities of each. Beautifully illustrated, with real photographs as well as artwork. ( )

Religions Explained: A Beginners’ Guide to World Faiths by Anita Ganeri. Epiphany library section 10 A: Youth (gr. 6-8), Religion and Values. This book of colorful photos, paintings, diagrams, and informative text begins with ancient religions, then covers the People of the Book (Jews, Christians and Muslims), and religions of India, China and Japan. Spirit faiths in the Americas, Africa and Australasia, and new religions such as Baha’ism, Amish, and Mormonism round out the chapters. There is a glossary, a guide to religious symbols used in the book (cross, Star of David, etc.), and drawings of shrines such as the Parthenon, a cathedral, a Shinto temple. Religious leaders pictured go from Egyptian deities to the Dalai Lama.
What I found interesting besides the incredible diversity of beliefs and practices was the similarity of most faiths’ basic tenets: live an ethical life, tell the truth, do not murder, be good stewards, use kind speech and thoughts, alleviate suffering.
This book is great for kids who nowadays have very diverse classmates. For example, when my kids were in HS in Port Orange ten years ago, their classmates were Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and Greek Orthodox! Books like this help our kids respect and understand their friends, appreciate their own faith heritage, and understand world events like terrorism or middle east unrest. When kids understand global problems they are attracted to training and careers that help to alleviate them. For example, Amnesty International and the Model UN are two HS organizations that train kids to advocate for human rights, and to use negotiation for peacemaking.
Hang a world map by your dining table and place sticker stars in hot spots around the world. Your kids will learn how to read a map, learn geography, will gain global awareness, and be more thankful for their blessings. ( )