Review Detail

I wish I had FAITH: FIVE RELIGIONS AND WHAT THEY SHARE when my students were doing their first research project on world religions. They were tasked with explaining the rituals, symbols, and traditions of a religion. It was difficult for us to find books at just the right reading and information level for sixth graders. Dr. Richard Steckel and Michele Steckel have written a book that fills that void.

Focusing on the similarities between the religions, FAITH encourages readers to understand each other, stating, “Perhaps if we recognized that all faiths are more alike than they are different, we could replace intolerance with respect.” The authors maintain this respect by balancing the information given on each religion and highlighting what they have in common. Throughout the book are suggestions on how young readers can increase their knowledge of world religions.

This is a book that belongs in every elementary and middle school library’s nonfiction section.