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Thank you to everyone who made suggestions.

The original request was for country books that could be used for students
between 8th and 12th grades.

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We have the Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark series titled Cultures of the
World. They are currently updating the set and you might have to purchase
some of the older set in addition to the newest titles in order to get
coverage of the entire world. They are excellent and are used heavily by
our social studies classes doing research for the Model UN project.
Cavendish is only sold through their representatives.
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Marshal Cavendish - Cultures of the world - wonderful!

The catalog reads:
Each 6-vol set: $213.86/$149.70 (U.S.)  $35.64/$24.95 each; All 132 books
$4,704.86 / $3,293.40

I suspect that the second price reflects the educ. Discount.
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You might try Countries of the World, Published by Gareth Stevens.  Anytime
I can purchase a book by Gareth Stevens, I do.  The
students seem to like and understand them.
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Love the stuff from Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark press.  Just spent some
grant money updating my collection.  Reading level is pretty high though.
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I've been looking as well. The only things I've found so far is the "Modern
Nations of the World" series. It seems a little young, but everything else
I've found is professional level. Please let me know if you find something
better.
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The World Book Encyclopedia of People and Places is a resource we purchased
last year.  It is a six volume set that is revised and updated every
year.  It is suitable from grades 4 and up.  Canadian price is $429
(meaning about half that in US dollars - LOL).  We have been quite happy
with it.
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I especially like the Marshall Cavendish series Countries of the World.  A
bit expensive but you can buy them in parts. We use them in Social Studies,
Foreign Lang, even the Business dept used them for a marketing project.
Well worth the cost.
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I love Marshall Cavendish's "Cultures of the World" series.  Their
"Celebrate the States" series is good too.  We use both in Geography and
Speech.  Aren't really on high school level but are a better level than
most country books I've found.  They contain the information students
need.  We've also had lots of success with travel guides, especially for
Speech classes.
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The World Book Encyclopedia of People and Places.  It is a six volume set.
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The books by Lucent Books are good.  Part of Gale Group 1-800-877-Gale or
www.gale.com/lucent
The have a set called "Modern Nations of the World"  About a 130p. each
book.  Gives a broad comprehensive overview of the nation,
including,history, geography, and culture.  Has textual sidebars the give
focused information, detailed chronology of events, national statistics,
bibliographies and index,

Other set is by Chelsea House  1-800-848-BOOK or www.chelseahouse.com
"Modern World Nations" series.  Between 110 to 220 pp. each.  Information
packed volumes give nation;s people, geography, history, government,
economy and culture
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Salli, I have found that either (or both) of the two series "Enchantment of
the World" or "Cultures of the World" has excellent information on the
countries of the world.

"Enchantment of the World" series is currently being re-done as
"Enchantment of the World, Second Series"  It is published by Children's Press.

"Cultures of the World" is published by Marshall Cavendish is also into the
2nd editions.

Although I purchase the books to serve a sixth grade population, I do know
that our high school library also has these books and they are very popular
for research and browsing purposes.
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I can't remember the series title, but Chelsea House did a great one
several years ago when I was teaching in a public school.
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We have a fairly new set of Groliers Lands and People that gets use. The
Online versions of their encyclopedias and L&P are used more
extensively.  We also  have World Book People and Places. Doesn't seem to
get used as much, maybe because format (bigger but skinny) looks more
elementary to the kids.
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I like the Countries of the World series from Marshall Cavendish.
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I have several different types. My favorite is the series by Greenwood
Press--they have two styles  Culture & Customs and a Straight History of.
But they are expensive--sometimes they have a sale--they are about 30.00.

Chelsea House , Lucent books and Learner all have sets that deal with all
the major topics gently but not in real depth.  Enough for a global or a
foreign language class.  It really depends on your needs.  My Spanish 4's
and AP use the Greenwood series. Global prefers the others.
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Culturegrams is a good quick reference set in two volumes  (about four to
six pages per country). It gives general info, customs, foods, a very small
map.  no photos  It is put out by Culturegrams.  Statesman Yearbook is
good. It is an annual put out by St. Martin's Press.  Marshall Cavendish
has an encyclopedia of World Geography with pictures.
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I recommend Culturegrams.  They give short information.....cultural,
factual and statistical (about page or two) for every country in the
world.  They are reasonably priced and are used constantly in our
library.   We have the paperbound book set, not the spiral-bound set.   The
website is....  www.culturegrams.com
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I like the Greenwood Press books for high school.
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something wonderful to use is the World Culturegrams from the University of
Utah - they have a web site.  you can order in bound volumes or in
looseleaf pamphlets cost is very reasonable you can afford to update every
other year.  I order the looseleaf and make geography packets for each
country with a copy of the country report from 8 references and then keeep
them in the vertical file - thus kids cach check out an entire packet of
reference information on a country.  these go at overnight only when are 5
world geography classes are doing country reports (p.s. new CD comes with
your order so ou can print off your country if one comes up missing.)  LOOK
IN YOUR HIGHSMITH CATALOG - I believe they are advertised there.
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Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations is good.  Put out by Gale Research

Also: Culturgrams : the nations around us,  Ferguson Pub. Co.
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Thanks again for all the responses.  Have a great week!

Salli




Salli A. Hambrecht
Unit Librarian
Bement Community Unit School District #5
Bement, IL 61813
hambrechts@bement.k12.il.us

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