(3) 4-6 Media Genius series. A wide scope of material about making, recording, and performing one's own music is divided up into five chapters that include instructions, success stories, pro tips, quizzes, and safety warnings for the young musician. The page design is a tad crowded, but this appropriately detailed overview of the music biz could motivate the musically inclined to pursue their passions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(3) 4-6 Media Genius series. A wide scope of information about creating, producing, and sharing one's own podcast is divided up into five chapters that include helpful instructions, success stories, pro tips, podcast recommendations, and safety warnings for the young producer. The page design is a tad crowded, but this appropriately detailed overview will be helpful for both beginners and readers with some podcasting experience. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) YA Impact of Technology series. Technology offers new ways of manipulating sounds and rhythms to make music. Practice time is shortened; notation and editing are simplified. This volume surveys software technologies for music production, including historical background. The pages are busy with photos and captions, diagrams, text boxes, sidebars, and "case studies." A timeline provides perspective: from Edison's 1877 phonograph to the first robot-band performance in 2014. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) YA Impact of Technology series. This survey takes a positive look at how technology has changed sports. A new understanding of biomechanics and diagnostics has helped athletes, including those with disabilities, improve performance. The accessible text covers advances in training, nutrition, medicine, and equipment. The pages are busy with photos and captions, diagrams, text boxes, sidebars, and "case studies." Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) YA Music Scene series. These accessible surveys cover various aspects of the music industry. Each book includes some history and focuses mostly on American and British superstars, with some Japanese influence. The lively page design includes stock photos, sidebars, and lined background graphics that make the text hard to read. "Industry Case Study" inserts provide a bit more depth on some topics. Reading list, timelines, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Music Scene titles: The History of Modern Music, Music, Fashion, and Style, The Music Industry, and Performing Live.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) YA Music Scene series. These accessible surveys cover various aspects of the music industry. Each book includes some history and focuses mostly on American and British superstars, with some Japanese influence. The lively page design includes stock photos, sidebars, and lined background graphics that make the text hard to read. "Industry Case Study" inserts provide a bit more depth on some topics. Reading list, timelines, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Music Scene titles: The History of Modern Music, Music, Fashion, and Style, The Music Industry, and Performing Live.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) YA Music Scene series. These accessible surveys cover various aspects of the music industry. Each book includes some history and focuses mostly on American and British superstars, with some Japanese influence. The lively page design includes stock photos, sidebars, and lined background graphics that make the text hard to read. "Industry Case Study" inserts provide a bit more depth on some topics. Reading list, timelines, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Music Scene titles: The History of Modern Music, Music, Fashion, and Style, The Music Industry, and Performing Live.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) YA Music Scene series. These accessible surveys cover various aspects of the music industry. Each book includes some history and focuses mostly on American and British superstars, with some Japanese influence. The lively page design includes stock photos, sidebars, and lined background graphics that make the text hard to read. "Industry Case Study" inserts provide a bit more depth on some topics. Reading list, timelines, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Music Scene titles: The History of Modern Music, Music, Fashion, and Style, The Music Industry, and Performing Live.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) 4-6 Find Your Talent series. General directions guide readers through establishing a web presence. Anecdotal snippets about already established and popular sites add interest to the sometimes contradictory text (in Blog: "'wallpapers'...can make text difficult to read" and "brighten up the look of your blog by using...'wallpapers'"). The busy collage-style layout may be appealing to kids willing to scrutinize the pages. Some of the advice seems like common sense. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Find Your Talent titles: Make a Podcast and Start a Blog.

Reviewer: Allison Cole

(4) 4-6 Find Your Talent series. Finding your style, recruiting bandmates, and booking first gigs are among the general steps outlined toward achieving musical stardom. Anecdotal "Early Days" of famous bands make pipe dreams seem possible; the busy collage-style layout may appeal to kids willing to scrutinize the pages. Some of the advice seems like common sense. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Allison Cole

(4) 4-6 Find Your Talent series. General directions guide readers through establishing a web presence. Anecdotal snippets about already established and popular sites add interest to the sometimes contradictory text (in Blog: "'wallpapers'...can make text difficult to read" and "brighten up the look of your blog by using...'wallpapers'"). The busy collage-style layout may be appealing to kids willing to scrutinize the pages. Some of the advice seems like common sense. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Find Your Talent titles: Make a Podcast and Start a Blog.

Reviewer: Allison Cole

(4) 4-6 Pop Histories series. The energetic graphics and raucous colors of these overviews are suitable for their subjects; overall the books will appeal to readers familiar with the genres, but the busy design and jumpy prose (with occasionally sloppy editing) make linear comprehension difficult. Dramatic photos, captions, quotations, and playlist suggestions abound in these compendiums of trends, performers, and producers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pop Histories titles: The Story of Hip-hop, The Story of Pop Music, The Story of Punk and Indie, The Story of Rock Music, The Story of Soul and R&B, and The Story of Techno and Dance Music.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Pop Histories series. The energetic graphics and raucous colors of these overviews are suitable for their subjects; overall the books will appeal to readers familiar with the genres, but the busy design and jumpy prose (with occasionally sloppy editing) make linear comprehension difficult. Dramatic photos, captions, quotations, and playlist suggestions abound in these compendiums of trends, performers, and producers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pop Histories titles: The Story of Hip-hop, The Story of Pop Music, The Story of Punk and Indie, The Story of Rock Music, The Story of Soul and R&B, and The Story of Techno and Dance Music.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Pop Histories series. The energetic graphics and raucous colors of these overviews are suitable for their subjects; overall the books will appeal to readers familiar with the genres, but the busy design and jumpy prose (with occasionally sloppy editing) make linear comprehension difficult. Dramatic photos, captions, quotations, and playlist suggestions abound in these compendiums of trends, performers, and producers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pop Histories titles: The Story of Hip-hop, The Story of Pop Music, The Story of Punk and Indie, The Story of Rock Music, The Story of Soul and R&B, and The Story of Techno and Dance Music.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Pop Histories series. The energetic graphics and raucous colors of these overviews are suitable for their subjects; overall the books will appeal to readers familiar with the genres, but the busy design and jumpy prose (with occasionally sloppy editing) make linear comprehension difficult. Dramatic photos, captions, quotations, and playlist suggestions abound in these compendiums of trends, performers, and producers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pop Histories titles: The Story of Hip-hop, The Story of Pop Music, The Story of Punk and Indie, The Story of Rock Music, The Story of Soul and R&B, and The Story of Techno and Dance Music.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Pop Histories series. The energetic graphics and raucous colors of these overviews are suitable for their subjects; overall the books will appeal to readers familiar with the genres, but the busy design and jumpy prose (with occasionally sloppy editing) make linear comprehension difficult. Dramatic photos, captions, quotations, and playlist suggestions abound in these compendiums of trends, performers, and producers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pop Histories titles: The Story of Hip-hop, The Story of Pop Music, The Story of Punk and Indie, The Story of Rock Music, The Story of Soul and R&B, and The Story of Techno and Dance Music.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Pop Histories series. The energetic graphics and raucous colors of these overviews are suitable for their subjects; overall the books will appeal to readers familiar with the genres, but the busy design and jumpy prose (with occasionally sloppy editing) make linear comprehension difficult. Dramatic photos, captions, quotations, and playlist suggestions abound in these compendiums of trends, performers, and producers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pop Histories titles: The Story of Hip-hop, The Story of Pop Music, The Story of Punk and Indie, The Story of Rock Music, The Story of Soul and R&B, and The Story of Techno and Dance Music.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian