(4) YA Peculiar History series. Aretha's examination of the "peculiar institution" of slavery--and acts of resistance from the enslaved--in United States history is wide-ranging and unstinting, but tiny print and murkily reproduced photos and maps do it a disservice. The wealth of well-researched information, including many riveting primary source accounts, would have benefited from a roomier format and better book design. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Out in Front series. This biography of the Pakistani girl who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban provides geographical, historical, and sociopolitical context for Yousafzai's dedication to education activism. Captioned color photographs pair well with the concise and factual text. Important quotes are printed in red, which is difficult to read on some backgrounds. Significant terms are defined in the text. Websites. Bib., ind.

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(3) 4-6 Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs series. These informative books are moving photographic displays of the peaks of the civil rights movement. An introduction contextualizes each volume's events, which are then portrayed through black-and-white archival images with explanatory captions and through narrations of event details and key figures; frequent inclusion of primary-source quotes contributes to the sense of immediacy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs titles: The Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Photographs, The Story of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights Freedom Rides in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Photographs, The Story of the Little Rock Nine in Photographs, and The Story of the Selma Voting Rights Marches in Photographs.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs series. These informative books are moving photographic displays of the peaks of the civil rights movement. An introduction contextualizes each volume's events, which are then portrayed through black-and-white archival images with explanatory captions and through narrations of event details and key figures; frequent inclusion of primary-source quotes contributes to the sense of immediacy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs titles: The Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Photographs, The Story of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights Freedom Rides in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Photographs, The Story of the Little Rock Nine in Photographs, and The Story of the Selma Voting Rights Marches in Photographs.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs series. These informative books are moving photographic displays of the peaks of the civil rights movement. An introduction contextualizes each volume's events, which are then portrayed through black-and-white archival images with explanatory captions and through narrations of event details and key figures; frequent inclusion of primary-source quotes contributes to the sense of immediacy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs titles: The Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Photographs, The Story of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights Freedom Rides in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Photographs, The Story of the Little Rock Nine in Photographs, and The Story of the Selma Voting Rights Marches in Photographs.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs series. These informative books are moving photographic displays of the peaks of the civil rights movement. An introduction contextualizes each volume's events, which are then portrayed through black-and-white archival images with explanatory captions and through narrations of event details and key figures; frequent inclusion of primary-source quotes contributes to the sense of immediacy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs titles: The Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Photographs, The Story of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights Freedom Rides in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Photographs, The Story of the Little Rock Nine in Photographs, and The Story of the Selma Voting Rights Marches in Photographs.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs series. These informative books are moving photographic displays of the peaks of the civil rights movement. An introduction contextualizes each volume's events, which are then portrayed through black-and-white archival images with explanatory captions and through narrations of event details and key figures; frequent inclusion of primary-source quotes contributes to the sense of immediacy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs titles: The Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Photographs, The Story of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights Freedom Rides in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Photographs, The Story of the Little Rock Nine in Photographs, and The Story of the Selma Voting Rights Marches in Photographs.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs series. These informative books are moving photographic displays of the peaks of the civil rights movement. An introduction contextualizes each volume's events, which are then portrayed through black-and-white archival images with explanatory captions and through narrations of event details and key figures; frequent inclusion of primary-source quotes contributes to the sense of immediacy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in Photographs titles: The Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Photographs, The Story of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights Freedom Rides in Photographs, The Story of the Civil Rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Photographs, The Story of the Little Rock Nine in Photographs, and The Story of the Selma Voting Rights Marches in Photographs.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) YA Civil Rights Movement series. Black-and-white archival photographs, boxed quotes, and excerpts from notable speeches enhance this series documenting pivotal laws and incidents of the civil rights movement. Each title builds up to the featured event, though Brown more successfully sets the stage with historical context and what follows. Both are well researched additions to library collections. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these The Civil Rights Movement titles: Brown v. Board of Education and Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) YA Civil Rights Movement series. Black-and-white archival photographs, boxed quotes, and excerpts from notable speeches enhance this series documenting pivotal laws and incidents of the civil rights movement. Each title builds up to the featured event, though Brown more successfully sets the stage with historical context and what follows. Both are well researched additions to library collections. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these The Civil Rights Movement titles: Brown v. Board of Education and Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) YA Civil Rights Leaders series. Beginning with one of Malcolm X's more notable speeches, this well-researched biography presents his troubled childhood, prison education, rise and fall within the Nation of Islam, and assassination. Black-and-white archival photographs, boxed quotes, and sidebars enhance the readable text, successfully capturing the historical setting, key figures, and rising fervor of the civil rights movement. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Contemporary Lives series. These standard-issue, easy-to-read pop biographies offer details about each star's life and career. Controversial behaviors and incidents, including early failures or bad reviews; drug use by Downey and Eminem; protests against Eminem's perceived homophobia, misogyny, and gun use; Lady Gaga's bisexuality; and Bieber's jealous fans' behavior are covered. Sidebars offer additional context to the unremarkable text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Contemporary Lives titles: Eminem, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Robert Downey, Jr.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Champion Sports Story series. Each sports-themed novel sets its protagonist on a life-lesson journey of hard work, camaraderie, and friendship. Conflicts surface both on the field (Matty learns to play goalie in Matty) and off (in Tony's, Tony must quit football to help support his family). Each easy-to-read, character-driven, predictable story is enhanced with engaging sports-action details. Review covers these Champion Sports Story titles: Rounding Third, Heading Home, Tony's Last Touchdown, Matty in the Goal, Todd Goes for the Goal, and Batting Ninth.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) YA Political Profiles series. Already outdated post–2012 presidential race, this standard-issue biography touches on Romney's childhood, family background, and the trajectory of his business and political careers. Although it tries to be balanced by including some criticisms of Romney, the portrayal is mostly positive, sometimes bordering on biased (Romney's pro–Vietnam War stance is dubbed "patriotism"). Plentiful photos add interest. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 African-American Collective Biographies series. These volumes profile eminent African American figures from various cultural fields. Each icon has his or her own chapter offering basic biographical information, archival photographs (some appear doctored), career highlights, and a timeline. This series is suitable for introductions but not in-depth research. Readers may be distracted by a hodgepodge of graphics and borders. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these African-American Collective Biographies titles: Awesome African-American Rock and Soul Musicians, Incredible African-American Jazz Musicians, Inspring African-American Civil Rights Leaders, Celebrated African-American Novelists, Extraordinary African-American Poets, and Amazing African-American Actors.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA Civil Rights Movement series. This series continues to delineate specific moments and submovements within the civil rights era. Plessy and Speed contextualize the court cases within civil rights history. Backlash provides analysis and discussion of violence during the times. Black Power looks at that movement's emergence. Copious well-chosen photographs help break up the informative but dense texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Civil Rights Movement titles: Black Power, With All Deliberate Speed, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Backlash.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) 4-6 Top 25 Sports Skills, Tips, and Tricks series. Each title presents sport-specific skills, drills, and techniques, including the proper mechanics of passing, shooting, and scoring, as well as defensive strategies and game rules. "Pro Tips and Tricks," mainly work-ethic quotes from such pros as Tom Brady and Mary Lou Retton, are scattered throughout the texts. Instructive action photographs include both professional athletes and kids at play. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Top 25 Sports Skills, Tips, and Tricks titles: Top 25 Baseball Skills, Tips, and Tricks, Top 25 Gymnastics Skills, Tips, and Tricks, Top 25 Hockey Skills, Tips, and Tricks, Top 25 Soccer Skills, Tips, and Tricks, Top 25 Basketball Skills, Tips, and Tricks, and Top 25 Football Skills, Tips, and Tricks.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) YA Civil Rights Movement series. This series continues to delineate specific moments and submovements within the civil rights era. Plessy and Speed contextualize the court cases within civil rights history. Backlash provides analysis and discussion of violence during the times. Black Power looks at that movement's emergence. Copious well-chosen photographs help break up the informative but dense texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Civil Rights Movement titles: Black Power, With All Deliberate Speed, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Backlash.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA America's National Parks series. Readers interested in touring national parks will find these books useful. Information about the history of each park is provided plus ways to get there, sights to see, etc. Report writers may find the publisher's enhanced website a welcome shortcut to doing their own Internet research. Contemporary and archival photographs and web screenshots accompany the texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's National Parks titles: Glacier National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) YA Great Explorers of the World series. These accounts of the lives of La Salle, Magellan, or De Soto, valiant but often cruel explorers of the new world, make interesting reading as well as solid report material. The books are accessibly written and supported with maps (just one in La Salle), photos, and archival pictures. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Explorers of the World titles: La Salle, Magellan, and Hernando de Soto.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow