The Changing Face of South Africa

Reviewed with Edward Parker's The Changing Face of Mexico.

Gr. 5-10. Both hopeful and realistic, these up-to-date titles in the Changing Face Of series combine an overview of the country (climate, resources, population, etc.) with close-up portraits in words and photos of people living there now and facing changes at home and at work. South Africa makes the usual mistake of beginning the history with the arrival of the white settlers, but the focus is mostly on the present and future. That part of the book is very well done--optimistic about the end of official apartheid but also open about the continuing inequality and the problems of unemployment, poverty, and AIDS. Mexico, which also highlights the gap between rich and poor, emphasizes the management of natural resources and pollution in the cities. The series' design is highly readable, with many contemporary color photos that show a range of people and places in each country. Each book has a glossary, a brief bibliography, and Web-site listings. Hazel Rochman
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Grade 5-7 A post-apartheid view of South Africa that will attract both browsers and report writers. The socioeconomic state of affairs during apartheid is touched upon, but the focal points are the economic, political, and social changes after 1994. Interesting asides are provided in the "In Their Own Words" sections on every spread. These boxes feature photos of local residents and quotes from them on some aspect of their life in South Africa. Though the entries are brief, they provide a personal look at the country from people of diverse backgrounds and points of view. The many well-placed color photographs and occasional charts are informative. Useful for both classroom and library collections. -Ajoke T. I. Kokodoko, Oakland Public Library, CA
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