(4) YA Development Without Damage series. These books offer information about the title subjects from the perspective of sustainability--using resources without depleting them or damaging the environment. Successful models are cited, and sobering facts are given about the deleterious effects many industries, from tourism to oil refining, have. Frequent boxed text inserts make for a busy layout, but plenty of photos add interest. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Development Without Damage titles: Building Homes for Tomorrow, Food and Water, Nature for People, Oil, Plastics, and Power, Trees and Timber Products, and Mining, Minerals, and Metals.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) YA Development Without Damage series. These books offer information about the title subjects from the perspective of sustainability--using resources without depleting them or damaging the environment. Successful models are cited, and sobering facts are given about the deleterious effects many industries, from tourism to oil refining, have. Frequent boxed text inserts make for a busy layout, but plenty of photos add interest. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Development Without Damage titles: Building Homes for Tomorrow, Food and Water, Nature for People, Oil, Plastics, and Power, Trees and Timber Products, and Mining, Minerals, and Metals.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Global Cities series. Photographs by Edward Parker. Readers are introduced to the history, culture, economy, environment, and challenges faced by these European cities. Each section is dense with facts, reading like an encyclopedia entry, but the "case study" sidebars focusing on specific people or issues provide insider views. Well-captioned photographs, charts, graphs, and maps appear throughout the busy pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Global Cities titles: Istanbul, Berlin, and London.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Global Cities series. Photographs by Roy Maconachie. Readers are introduced to the history, culture, economy, environment, and challenges faced by this South African city. Each section is dense with facts, reading like an encyclopedia entry, but the "case study" sidebars focusing on specific people or issues provide insider views. Well-captioned photographs, charts, graphs, and maps appear throughout the busy pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 Rivers through Time series. Each book focuses on the cities bordering the titular river using short chapters, timelines, and maps to cover the history and geography of the Indus and Ganges rivers. Current concerns about pollution and trade relations on the rivers are addressed in some depth. Clear photographs, maps, and charts extend the text. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Rivers Through Time titles: Settlements of the Indus River and Settlements of the Ganges River.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Rivers through Time series. Using short chapters, timelines, and maps to cover history and geography, this book focuses on the cities that line the Nile. Modern concerns, such as the fear that various projects planned by different countries who share the river will dry it up before it reaches the sea, are also covered. Clear photographs, maps, and charts extend the text. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Rivers through Time series. This book focuses on the cities that border the river Thames using short chapters, timelines, and maps to cover its history and geography. Particular attention is paid to some of the unusual traditions tied to the river. A section on flooding addresses modern concerns. Clear photographs, maps, and charts extend the text. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Rivers through Time series. Although focusing on the major cities lining the Mississippi, this book manages to bring in technical details about ship locks and watercraft. The rich information is organized by city, making the history of the area difficult to follow, but careful readers will be rewarded. A timeline helps clear up confusion, and reproduced photographs and illustrations add interest. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) YA 21st Century Debates series. Water-supply issues in both the developed and developing worlds are addressed in one book, giving readers a global perspective on the problem. Unfortunately, the design is a hindrance to learning--multiple "Fact," "Viewpoint," and "Debate" boxes containing random information hold up the narrative--but the color photos and direct, readable prose serve the topic well. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Changing Face Of series. Photographs by Chris Fairclough. After an introduction to a major city and key country facts, chapters profile the history, land, and resources of these two countries. Environmental and diversity issues are superficially explored as they relate to changes in population, work, and home life. Small photos and "In Their Own Words" text boxes (purported quotes from citizens) enhance the overviews. Map, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Changing Face Of titles: Kenya and Egypt.]

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) 4-6 River Journey series. These overviews of two important rivers cover topics thematically (nature, history, people, change, and economy) and are organized by geographic regions. Starting at the river's source, the author takes readers on a guided tour. Extended by well-captioned photos, the accessible text is up-to-date and will be useful to report writers. Addresses, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these River Journey titles: The Ganges and The Yangtze.]

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 4-6 River Journey series. These overviews of two important rivers cover topics thematically (nature, history, people, change, and economy) and are organized by geographic regions. Starting at the river's source, the author takes readers on a guided tour. Extended by well-captioned photos, the accessible text is up-to-date and will be useful to report writers. Addresses, reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these River Journey titles: The Ganges and The Yangtze.]

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 4-6 River Journey series. This overview of the Nile and its environs covers topics thematically (nature, history, people, change, and economy) and is organized by geographic regions. Starting at the river's source, the author takes readers on a guided tour. Extended by well-captioned photos, the accessible text is up to date and will be useful to report writers. Addresses, reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Country Fact Files series. Readers who can look beyond an overly dry style will find a wealth of information in these books, each of which examines several African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, in 'East'; the countries of the Economic Community of the West African States in 'West'). Numerous color photographs, maps, and graphs supplement information on landscape, climate, resources, population, industry, and environment. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Country Fact Files series. Readers who can look beyond an overly dry style will find a wealth of information in these books, each of which examines several African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, in 'East'; the countries of the Economic Community of the West African States in 'West'). Numerous color photographs, maps, and graphs supplement information on landscape, climate, resources, population, industry, and environment. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.