This Rand McNally Atlas is colorful and appealing for middle-grade students. The atlas begins with a Discoverer's Tools section that introduces students to map reading and terminology such as map projections, directions, grid systems, legends, and symbols. Next is a world maps section with physical, political, climate, environment, and population density maps. The U.S. maps section includes even more types of maps, with physical, political, climate, environment, population density, and time zone maps. A Regions of the United States contains close-up, detailed regional maps along with a narrative overview and captioned photos of landmarks and charts pertaining to unique topics of interest within the region.