(4) 4-6 This book employs National Geographic Kids' bright and busy magazine-style layout to tout failure as a means to achieve greater success. Examples include failed inventions, entrepreneurial miscalculations, scams, and other blunders. Each section discusses the (sometimes forced) lessons learned, and the hodgepodge volume concludes with a chapter on the therapeutic powers of losing. Ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Photos, drawings, loud graphics, and "Fearless Fact" boxes provide interesting context for a variety of historical and contemporary heroes and heroines, including Harriet Tubman, Tina Fey, Malala Yousafzai, Galileo Galilei, and Mohandas Gandhi. The inclusion of fictional characters dilutes historical significance; brief sections on heroic animals are also included. A colorful and compartmental, if visually busy, design drives these biographical surveys. Ind. Review covers these titles: The Book of Heroes and The Book of Heroines.

Reviewer: Andrea Curtis

(4) 4-6 An eye-catching layout and an intriguing theme will get the attention of young sleuths. Forms of "sneakiness," from espionage, escape artists, and counterfeiting to animal camouflage, are presented on busy pages with lots to ponder. Cartoony Secret Agent 'Stache (with mustache disguise) leads readers through mysteries from beginning to end. It's a rather disorganized book and best for browsing: start on any page. Ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 The subtitle's promised "facts" are thin on the ground in this chatty, high-interest overview of all things creepy, supernatural, and conspiracy-related. Each frenetically formatted chapter includes mythological and pop-culture representations, historical tidbits, and scientific skepticism. Though highly browsable, the book lacks conceptual organization and comprehensiveness, and offers no source notes for its well-trodden subject matter. Ind.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With James P. Allen. In this volume numerous topics about ancient Egyptian life are explored. Themed sections are broken down into two-page chapters detailing one specific aspect of the culture. Multiple text boxes, sidebars, and varied illustrations and photos complete the presentation. At first glance the pages seem busy, but they remain clear and easy to read. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 With Peter Brown. This book presents a survey of medieval castles including descriptions, construction, defense, habitation, and eventual demise. Topics include "Five Ultimate Castles," "How to Build a Castle," "Siege Stories," "Knight Life," and "Castle Myths vs. Facts." Though the spreads are busy, the many photographs and drawings, accompanied by brief vignettes, will appeal to reluctant readers and medieval history buffs. Timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Pirates of the Caribbean series. This lengthy yarn (published in conjunction with the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie) provides backstory for Captain Jack Sparrow. Twenty-five-year-old Jack has given up his pirating ways, but a swashbuckling adventure tempts him back. Along the way Jack encounters major players from the first three films. If you really can't get enough of Jack, check out this origins story.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter