This is a fairly easy to read, yet informative, reference book with great photographs. Feinstein begins with the arrival of Native Americans to California from Asia and discusses how many of the tribes' names (Pomo, Washo, etc.) just mean "people" in a native language. One chapter, entitled "Village Life" ,discusses governing systems, commerce, and crime. Another chapter, "Living with the Environment", explains how tribes were able to find clothing, shelter, and food.The author does not avoid the hard issues of outside influences (missionaries and the Gold Rush miners). The book ends with a good chapter on Native Californians today. Besides reading the text, fourth graders will be able to learn from maps, a timeline, a glossary, and an index which are all located at the back of the book. ( )