(2) YA Thirteen-year-old Polish orphan Piotr (renamed Peter) is fostered by a family in Berlin. Rather than embracing their Nazi ideology, he and his friends engage in rebellious behavior, including hiding Jews. In Dowswell's portrait of Nazi Germany, the characters are rich and nuanced; the action is swift and suspenseful; and the juxtaposition of wartime nobility and cruelty is timeless.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(3) YA After traveling back to England from Australia, Sam Witchall (Powder Monkey, Prison Ship) wants to settle down as a merchant sailor, keeping close to home. As war with Napoleon looms, though, Sam decides to become a midshipman in the British navy. Like its predecessors, this book's compelling narrative and strong characters make for an exciting read. Reading list.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(3) YA This sequel to Powder Monkey continues Sam Witchall's adventures as he is framed for a crime and sent to Australia to live out a life sentence. Sam's experiences provide a fascinating look at Australia's early history as a penal colony, examining the complex relationships between criminal, military, and native populations. Sources and a "Fact and Fiction" author's note are included. Reading list.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 Forensic Files series. These rushed but intriguing accounts describe how various crimes, including the Hitler Diaries hoax and the Washington, D.C., sniper case, were solved using forensic techniques (e.g., fingerprint matching, handwriting and voiceprint analysis, DNA testing). Text, information boxes, and mediocre color photos crowd the pages. Each volume concludes with a fictional case on which readers can test their newfound forensic knowledge. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Forensic Files titles: Investigating Murder Mysteries, Investigating Fakes & Hoaxes, and Investigating Thefts & Heists.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Days That Shook the World series. From circumstances leading up to the Russian Revolution to its aftermath, this well-researched title provides a comprehensive account of Russia's political history and its effect on the world. Despite the tight design, the accessible text combines with archival photos, maps, diagrams, and firsthand accounts to bring history to life for the report-driven reader. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Days That Shook the World series. From circumstances preceding each incident to its aftermath, the titles in this well-researched series present a comprehensive account of the featured historical event. The accessible text is enhanced by archival material, maps, diagrams, and quotes from prominent individuals. Though the design is tight, research-driven readers will find the bounty of information useful. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Days That Shook the World titles: Pearl Harbor and Assassination in Sarajevo.]

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Days That Shook the World series. From circumstances preceding this nuclear accident to its aftermath, this well-researched title presents a comprehensive account of the disaster. An accessible text is enhanced by archival material, maps, diagrams, and quotes from prominent individuals. Though the design is tight, research-driven readers will find the bounty of information useful. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 20th Century Perspectives series. Each double-page spread in these books focuses on a specific aspect of the causes of the featured war, from the people in power to the backdoor diplomacy that made war inevitable. Although the information is sound, the pages are overcrowded with text boxes, maps, and photographs. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these 20th Century Perspectives titles: The Causes of World War I and The Causes of World War II.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Heinemann Profiles series. These standard-issue biographies feature an easy-to-read text, captioned photos, quotations by and about the subject, and rather busy layouts. Occasionally the text is misleading, but overall the facts are presented in a fairly balanced manner. Depending on the subject, a time line, a list of films, or a list of recordings is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Heinemann Profiles titles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Henry Ford, Elvis Presley, George Lucas.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Heinemann Profiles series. These standard-issue biographies feature an easy-to-read text, captioned photos, quotations by and about the subject, and rather busy layouts. Occasionally the text is misleading, but overall the facts are presented in a fairly balanced manner. Depending on the subject, a time line, a list of films, or a list of recordings is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Heinemann Profiles titles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Henry Ford, Elvis Presley, George Lucas.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee