(4) YA Busted! series. These books begin with accounts of teenagers who abused or were victims of the featured drug/stimulant, then discuss the drug/stimulant's history and dangers, and conclude with information about kicking the habit. The series is more readable and less manipulative than many of this ilk, although the illustrations include the usual staged photos of teens in distress. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Busted! titles: Inhalants = Busted!, Predatory Drugs = Busted!, and Steroids = Busted!.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Great Minds of Science series. These lucid, engaging biographies of the great geneticist (McClintock) and anthropologist (Mead) clearly describe their determination, stature, and influence (although details of their work are less well described). Equally evident are the prejudices against women in the sciences. Some photographs are interspersed in the text, and simple genetics or anthropology activities are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Minds of Science titles: Margaret Mead and Barbara McClintock.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 Great Minds of Science series. These books chronicle the development of their subjects' theoretical and experimental work. Hawking's combination of quantum mechanics and general relativity, Boyle's early chemical experimentation including his famous air pump, and Rutherford's discovery of the atomic nucleus form the core for considerably more information. Black-and-white photos and occasional charts illustrate the texts, and a few experiments conclude each book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review includes these Great Minds of Science titles: Stephen Hawking, Robert Boyle, and Ernest Rutherford.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Biography from Ancient Civilizations series. After introducing each of these important figures in ancient civilization with a story or legend, the authors then provide upper-elementary or middle-school students with a lively picture of the known life of the individual based on records from their times. Sidebars and archival art (without credit to artist or source) extend the information, but the dull design is uninviting. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Biography from Ancient Civilizations titles: The Life and Times of Alexander the Great, The Life and Times of Homer, The Life and Times of Archimedes, and The Life and Times of Socrates.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. Well-researched and clear, these books in five or six chapters relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. Photographs and reproductions illustrate chapters, which are interrupted by "FYInfo" pages that supply further cultural details of varying relevance. There are four other fall 2004 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of Scott Joplin, The Life and Times of Hector Berlioz, The Life and Times of Igor Stravinsky, and The Life and Times of Richard Wagner.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Latinos in American History series. This biography of the eleven-time president of Mexico most famous for storming the Alamo and for his role in the Mexican-American War takes a while to get going. For much-needed comic relief, Bankston notes Santa Anna's emulation of Napoleon's hairstyle and other humorous tidbits. The book features color portraits of Santa Anna, often in action, and key players in his life. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Latinos in American History series. This biography of Mexican explorer Anza, who helped develop a land route between Mexico and California and became governor of New Mexico, is dramatic in the telling. Bankston supplies hypothetical impressions ("As a youngster, Juan must have heard countless stories...") for added dimension. A map and color reproductions appear throughout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. Although these books lack documentation for quotations, they reliably relate the contributions of their subjects to science and technology. The authors begin with a pivotal anecdote, then follow a chronological path through the men's lives and contextualize their discoveries and inventions. Black-and-white photos supplement the texts. There are six other fall 2002 books in this series. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. Although these books lack documentation for quotations, they reliably relate the contributions of their subjects to science and technology. The authors begin with a pivotal anecdote, then follow a chronological path through the men's lives and contextualize their discoveries and inventions. Black-and-white photos supplement the texts. There are six other fall 2002 books in this series. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. The books in this series introduce the lives and accomplishments of their subjects. Fleming's penicillin discovery resulted from lucky coincidence coupled with hard work, Goddard's liquid rocket engine was a lifelong dream, Teller's insistence on defensive armaments is still debated, and McClintock's jumping genes are lively topics of research. A time line and black-and-white photos supplement the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Unlocking the Secrets of Science titles: Alexander Fleming, Edward Teller and the Development of the Hydrogen Bomb, Robert Goddard and the Liquid Rocket Engine, Barbara McClintock.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. The books in this series introduce the lives and accomplishments of their subjects. Fleming's penicillin discovery resulted from lucky coincidence coupled with hard work, Goddard's liquid rocket engine was a lifelong dream, Teller's insistence on defensive armaments is still debated, and McClintock's jumping genes are lively topics of research. A time line and black-and-white photos supplement the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Unlocking the Secrets of Science titles: Alexander Fleming, Edward Teller and the Development of the Hydrogen Bomb, Robert Goddard and the Liquid Rocket Engine, Barbara McClintock.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. The books in this series introduce the lives and accomplishments of their subjects. Fleming's penicillin discovery resulted from lucky coincidence coupled with hard work, Goddard's liquid rocket engine was a lifelong dream, Teller's insistence on defensive armaments is still debated, and McClintock's jumping genes are lively topics of research. A time line and black-and-white photos supplement the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Unlocking the Secrets of Science titles: Alexander Fleming, Edward Teller and the Development of the Hydrogen Bomb, Robert Goddard and the Liquid Rocket Engine, Barbara McClintock.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian