The Silk Road: Explore the World's Most Famous Trade Route with 20 Projects

Description

From Roman times until the Age of Exploration, the Silk Road carried goods and ideas across Central Asia between two major centers of civilization, the Mediterranean Sea and China. In The Silk Road: Explore the World's Most Famous Trade Route, readers ages 9-12 will learn about the history, geography, culture, and people of the Silk Road region. Marco Polo was just one of many who set out on the Silk Road in search of wealth, power, or knowledge. These adventurers braved vast deserts, towering mountain peaks, warring tribes, and marauding bandits. Silk garments, wool rugs, and fine glass were the prizes for those who survived the trip. Activities using everyday materials bring the Silk Road to life. Young readers will see how ideas in math, science, religion, and art were spread by travelers along with the treasures they found. The Silk Road takes readers on an exciting, interactive adventure to a faraway place and celebrates its important role in human history and development. . .

Kathy Ceceri is About.com's Homeschooling Expert and a fan of art mixed with science. Her books include Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future, named "Best of the Best" by the Chicago Public Library, and Geek Mom: Projects, Tips, and Adventures for Moms and Their 21st-Century Families. She lives in Upstate New York.

Denis Belliveau explorer, filmmaker, and author of In the Footsteps of Marco Polo "Full of fun facts and insights, this book brought back such fond memories for me. The Silk Road is a wonderful way to introduce young people to one of the most interesting regions of the world and I'm sure it will inspire the next generation of explorers. I only wish it had been available before I spent two years traveling along its historic, dusty and memorable path." Al Dien Professor of Chinese, Emeritus, Stanford University and presenter of Along the Silk Road, an interactive workshop for middle school teachers "I am very much impressed with this book. It is imaginative and, despite being written for children, not at all 'dumbed down.' Full of interesting information presented in ways that are certain to stir the imagination of its intended audience, features such as 'Words to know,' 'Make your own,' and 'Fascinating Facts' all add to the effectiveness of the presentation."