Ancient Mesopotamia by Virginia Schomp {Book Review}

Ancient Mesopotamia by Virginia Schomp is a thorough introduction to the topic, specifically aimed at 11-18 year olds. It is a clear and accessible resource, especially for homeschoolers and younger students who might find the history of the region confusing. For me, it was an excellent overview. Alongside, the Eyewitness Ancient Mesopotamia book, it makes a fabulous spring board to studying the topic in greater depth.

Do check out my MEGA Mesopotamia Unit Study post to find out just where the seven cities fit into the history of Mesopotamia. This huge post has lots of printable, videos and science experiments. It also stacks of suggestions for easy hands on activities you can do with your children! I am always adding new stuff to this post so do go and check it out.

Key strengths of Ancient Mesopotamia by Virginia Schomp

• Age-appropriate content: The book is effectively written for its target audience. It presents a broad, but clear, overview that is engaging for young readers without talking down to them.
• Structured and informative layout: Schomp’s book organizes the complex history of Mesopotamian societies, such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, in a way that helps students (and their homeschooling mums) distinguish between them. It includes special features, such as a timeline and a biographical dictionary, to aid comprehension.
• Strong visual elements: The text is supported by excellent accompanying photos and graphics. This makes the subject matter more appealing and understandable. This also helps bring this tricky period alive for the students.
• Helpful for educators: As a homeschooler, I found it a valuable resource for projects and for providing foundational historical knowledge. It can be used as a supplement to other books, providing critical information to complement more picture-focused resources. 

Limitations of Ancient Mesopotamia by Virginia Schomp

• Too basic for advanced readers: Whilst I think the book looks like it might be for adults, it is definitely more suited for teens. It is an easy read but lacks the depth to make it a key resource. That said, as mentioned above, I used it as an overview and springboard for creating our Ancient Mesopotamia unit study
• Less detailed than an academic text: The book prioritises accessibility. This means it lacks the thorough information and detailed analysis of an adult text. The focus is on a broad overview rather than deep exploration.  But, so long as you know this, I don’t feel it detracts from its usefulness as a starting point for learning about Ancient Mesopotamia.

How I Used this Book as a Homeschooler

I have a few of Schomp’s books in this series and they definitely have a place in our homeschool. Right at the start of planning a new unit study, I will sit down with a book by Schomp and the accompanying Eyewitness book. Together they offer an easy to follow, visual means of planning out my children’s study. I find the two work in tandem with each other and allow me to then place any picture books within the likely time frame of the culture’s history we are studying.

Verdict

Ancient Mesopotamia by Virginia Schomp is an excellent and highly recommended resource for its intended audience of middle and high school students. It successfully demystifies a complex subject, making it accessible and engaging with its clear writing and strong visuals. Those seeking a deeper, more academic look into Mesopotamian history should look elsewhere, but for a solid introduction, this book is highly effective. 

Other Books in the Same Series By Virginia Schomp

Further Book Reviews Related to the Mesopotamia Unit Study

DK Eyewitness: Mesopotamia {Book Review}

The Seven Great Cities of Mesopotamia {Book Review}

The Lifeboat That Saved The World {Book Review}

Lugalbanda {Book Review}

The Golden Bull {Book Review}

Murder in Mesopotamia {Book Review}

For more ideas about studying Mesopotamia, head on over to my Mega Ancient Mesopotamia Unit Study post, which contains lots of recommended resources and free notepages. Oh, and some stem ideas for including science in your history unit studies.

For all my other history lessons, and more unit study ideas, head over to my History page