(4) 4-6 Tech Bytes series. These two additions to the series explore budding technologies, describing the amazing potential--and incumbent risks--of autonomous vehicles and 3-D printing. Although text-heavy, both books provide robust introductions to important topics through clear text, concrete examples, and strong organization. The series relies on intriguing contents, which the bland covers identify rather than advertise. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Tech Bytes titles: Self-Driving Car and 3-D Printing.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) YA Forgotten Youth series. Currie describes the experiences of children who come to America illegally, either with or without their parents. Using statistics and first-person accounts, the presentation documents the difficulties encountered, including fear of detection and deportation, problems involving detention centers, and factors relating to teenagers (e.g., going to college). Photographs and sidebars are included on otherwise text-heavy pages. Helpful organizations' contact information is included. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Teen Guide to Finances series. This volume's basic, age-appropriate information about finding a career and the U.S. income tax system could be helpful for teens entering the workforce. However, the book's dull layout and dense text may make it challenging for teens to access its content, and there are too few charts and other visuals to help clarify the concepts. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) YA Teen Guide to Finances series. Introductory concepts about entrepreneurship and personal finance are discussed in these dense texts. The topics, which range from general money management to future-planning, have an overarching theme of fiscal responsibility. The content is strong, but the dull layouts feel dated, and there are too few charts and other visuals to help clarify the concepts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Teen Guide to Finances titles: Teen Guide to Credit and Debt, Teen Guide to Saving and Investing, Teen Guide to Paying for College, and Teen Guide to Starting a Business.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) YA Collective Biographies series. Following a brief introduction describing historical obstacles to women's careers in sciences or leadership, each volume profiles six successful women and their rise to influence. Each fairly short bio narrates the ups and downs of its subject's career, and most paint the woman as an encouraging role model. Photographs, sidebars, and pull-quotes liven up the dense, textbook-like presentations. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Collective Biographies: Women Scientists and Inventors and Women World Leaders.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) YA History's Great Structures series. In these volumes, ancient architectural wonders are detailed, from the background behind their construction to how they were used to their subsequent decline and eventual conservation and restoration. Illustrations, modern photographs, maps, diagrams, sidebars, and definitions supplement the rich, detailed, but still easy-to-read text. Numerous quotations from primary and secondary sources add academic weight. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these History's Great Structures titles: The Medieval Castle, The Parthenon of Ancient Greece, and The Roman Colosseum.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Living History series. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Issues in the Digital Age series. From research and entertainment to communication and consumerism, this series explores the continuing development, variety, and impact of online resources and usage, including the challenges and dangers that accompany instant access to people and information. Sidebars and photographs provide additional facts and commentary but fail to enliven the dry (but instructive) text. Websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Issues in the Digital Age titles: Online Privacy, Online Gaming and Entertainment, Online Information and Research, Online Predators, Online Security, and Online Communication and Social Networking.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Monsters and Mythical Creatures series. These books provide detailed looks at the title creatures in history, legend, and popular culture. Color photographs and illustrations enhance the texts and include images from movies and television. Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, the authors present information from a variety of sources, including websites, and offer serious looks at fantastical creatures. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Monsters and Mythical Creatures titles: Goblins, Dragons, Cyclops, Water Monsters, and Zombies.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) YA Lucent Library of Black History series. Currie's survey begins with "The Oral Tradition and the First Black Writers: 1600–1800" then continues through the Civil War and Reconstruction, Harlem Renaissance, civil rights era, and up to contemporary times. Particular attention is given to historical, social, and political contexts and challenges faced by the writers. The text is dense but informative. Illustrations and photographs break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Lucent Library of Black History series. Currie presents a survey of African American inventors from pre–Civil War days to today. Particular attention is given to historical, social, and political contexts and challenges faced by the inventors (e.g., institutionalized racism; difficulties with the patent system). The text is dense but informative. Illustrations and photographs break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Lucent Library of Black History series. Nationalism examines the political and social movement to foster "the unity and pride of black people"; Equality looks at specific legal battles that helped pave the way for civil rights and beyond. The texts are wordy but informative. Some illustrations and photographs help break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Lucent Library of Black History titles: The Struggle for Equality and Black Nationalism.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA Lucent Library of Black History series. This volume surveys African American folklore, studying themes from stories with roots in Africa to variations based on versions with a European influence. Particular attention is given to slavery and religion, including spirituals not only as songs but also message-bearing stories. The text is dense but informative. Illustrations and photographs break up the pages. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA Lucent Library of Black History series. Many of the volumes in this series tracing African American history address slavery, from the Atlantic slave trade to the ongoing slavery reparation movement; Rosa Parks focuses on the civil rights movement and Religious discusses faith and the history of gospel music. The texts are dense but informative. Some black-and-white illustrations and photographs help break up the pages. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review includes these Lucent Library of Black History titles: Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Reparations for Slavery, The Civil War and Emancipation, The African American Religious Experience, The Atlantic Slave Trade, and Reconstruction.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) YA People's History series. A well-researched volume examines the voyages made by whaling ships in the 1800s. Solid prose describes what life was like for the crewmen (and the occasional captain's wife who joined the voyage); explains how whales were hunted and how bone, ambergris, and blubber were harvested; and discusses the end of the industry in the U.S. Quotes from whalers and archival images add authenticity. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Contemporary Issues series. To address the "central question" of immigration--how do current levels affect the nation?--Currie discusses the pros and cons of various positions and measures, such as California's Proposition 187, which sought to restrict illegal aliens access to benefits. The result is an eager, optimistic text that recognizes the gray area surrounding each issue. Poorly reproduced black-and-white photos show immigrants at work and activists in action. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Words That Changed History series. Currie discusses the influence of abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison's anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator within the larger context of early nineteenth-century events. Garrison himself emerges as a strong-willed, purposeful individual, torn between pacifism and violence. Archival photos and reproductions are incorporated in the text-heavy design. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) YA Way People Live series. Currie discusses the influence of abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison's anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator within the larger context of early nineteenth-century events. Garrison himself emerges as a strong-willed, purposeful individual, torn between pacifism and violence. Archival photos and reproductions are incorporated in the text-heavy design. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson