This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised in the Nonfiction category by the Horn Book Award. Presented annually since 1967 by the Boston Globe and Horn Book Magazine for excellence in childrens and young adult literature. This honour is granted in the three categories of Fiction and Poetry, Non-fiction, and Picture Book. Presented annually since 1967 by the Boston Globe and Horn Book Magazine for excellence in childrens and young adult literature. This honour is granted in the three categories of Fiction and Poetry, Non-fiction, and Picture Book. It was recognised in the Nonfiction category by the Children's Books of Distinction Award. It also was recognised by the Robert F Sibert Informational Book Award.

This book has been graded for interest at 10-15 years.

This book was published 2000 by Farrar Straus Giroux .