(3) 4-6 Wild and domestic animals, including a goat, an elephant, and an alligator, are each given a new lease on life through innovative wheelchairs or prosthetic body parts. The volume also profiles the devices' creators and discusses how the inventions help humans as well. Although there's a certain repetition to the stories, they're engaging and inspiring, illustrated with plenty of appealing photos. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Animal Olympics series. This series imagines how three species would fare in fictional Olympic competitions. After introducing a human Olympian in the featured sport, each book discusses its animal contenders, focusing on agility and other traits that give the animal an edge. A double-page "Award Ceremony" declares who wins gold, silver, and bronze. Gimmicky but informative. There are four other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animal Olympics titles: Animal Boxing Stars, Animal Diving Stars, Animal High Jumping Stars, and Animal Gymnastics Stars.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 On the Hunt with Animal Predators series. These slight books present basic information about large carnivores that prey on weaker animals. Characteristics of each species are recounted, including their habitats, social behaviors, food sources, and nurturing of offspring. The simply written narratives are interesting but may be inadequate for some report-driven readers. Large colorful photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these On the Hunt with Animal Predators titles: On the Hunt with Gray Wolves, On the Hunt with Grizzly Bears, On the Hunt with African Lions, and On the Hunt with Hyenas.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 On the Hunt with Animal Predators series. These slight books present basic information about large carnivores that prey on weaker animals. Characteristics of each species are recounted, including their habitats, social behaviors, food sources, and nurturing of offspring. The simply written narratives are interesting but may be inadequate for some report-driven readers. Large colorful photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these On the Hunt with Animal Predators titles: On the Hunt with Gray Wolves, On the Hunt with Grizzly Bears, On the Hunt with African Lions, and On the Hunt with Hyenas.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Vincent Desjardins. After witnessing a man beating his horse, Henry Bergh established an agency much like England's RSPCA and championed the passage of an animal anti-cruelty law. In short chapters, Furstinger details these events, allowing descriptions of specific incidents to create drama and tension. Digitally rendered illustrations mirror mid-nineteenth-century political cartoons and color-wash engravings. A collection of archival photographs concludes the volume. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(3) 4-6 Twenty-two inspiring true stories show how agile, loyal, and eager-to-please dogs can be trained to use their natural abilities to protect and defend their human handlers in military, police, and rescue work. Interspersed in the narratives are color photos and sidebars with breed information, "Ask an Expert" questions, and explanations of the dogs' specialized training. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Endangered Animals series. Each formulaic book covers the animal's physical characteristics and habitat as well as its threats to survival due to human activity such as hunting, habitat encroachment, and climate changes. A final chapter explores the conservation efforts and exhorts involvement. Maps, graphs, and photos add visual interest to otherwise bland layouts. There are six other fall 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Endangered Animals titles: African Elephants, Blue Whales, Snow Leopards, Polar Bears, Black Rhinos, and Fennec Foxes.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Smartest Animals series. This solid introduction includes information about dogs' sensory abilities, behavior, and domestication, with particular attention given to their capacity for intelligence (i.e., problem-solving and learning commands). Intermittent questions and writing prompts, along with links to additional web content, help foster research skills, though these may distract general readers. Short chapters and clear organization make quick referencing convenient. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Amazing Reptiles series. Using age-appropriate vocabulary and colorful photographs, each title includes five short chapters on the animal's features and behavior, touching on diet, habitat, reproduction, and threats to survival. Common Core–focused sections with reading-comprehension questions, writing prompts, and web links may distract casual readers or researchers. "Fast Facts" and a "Stop and Think" section are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Amazing Reptiles titles: Copperheads, Alligators, Geckos, and Bearded Dragons.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Robots Everywhere! series. In this high-interest series, simple text defines and then expands on each titular robot type. Though easy to understand, the prose often lacks clarifying transitions, and the authors regularly use the term scientists when the more accurate word would be engineers. However, colorful photos lavishly illustrate concepts, and captions and callout labels are well placed. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Robots Everywhere! titles: Helper Robots, Robots in Space, Robots at Home, and Weather Robots.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Robots Everywhere! series. In this high-interest series, simple text defines and then expands on each titular robot type. Though easy to understand, the prose often lacks clarifying transitions, and the authors regularly use the term scientists when the more accurate word would be engineers. However, colorful photos lavishly illustrate concepts, and captions and callout labels are well placed. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Robots Everywhere! titles: Helper Robots, Robots in Space, Robots at Home, and Weather Robots.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Great Predators series. This look at the great white discusses habitat, life cycle, physical characteristics, predatory behavior, and conservation status. The clean layout features lots of photos, wide leading, and short sentences; the narrative is straightforward (if choppy). Informative sidebars include related resources and facts. Chapters are arranged per series formula, but this is a useful high-interest volume nonetheless. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) YA Modern Music Masters series. Brimming with well-documented information, this biography traces the composer's life, from his Russian birth as Israel Beilin in 1888 to his death at age 101. The book highlights Berlin's contributions to American music, from Tin Pan Alley to Broadway, films, and individual hits. Black-and-white photos illustrate the text. A timeline and list of major songs are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian