(4) YA Got Issues? series. These updated books provide overviews of behaviors that can cause significant teen health problems. Basic research and real-life examples are clearly presented in short chapters; these titles will be more useful for classroom reports and term papers than as self-help manuals, although both append a list of resources. The stiffly staged stock photos contribute to textbooklike designs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Got Issues? titles: Are You Fat? and Are You at Risk for Food Allergies?.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) YA Maps, stock color photographs, and sidebars combine with a detail-rich text to present a comprehensive look at the world food crisis. Imbalances in access, quantity, and quality along with production, distribution, and ownership are fully explored; the influence of politics, technology, and climate on the food markets today and in the future are also addressed. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Issues in Focus Today series. Ten short chapters discuss the relationship between food, family, peers, and emotions; eating disorders; the dangers of weight-loss diets and pills; vegetarianism; and the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. The accessible if dull design includes stock photos, many staged. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) YA Aftermath of History series. This book presents an account of the political history of the former Soviet Union, from the end of Czar Nicholas II's rule through Lenin then Stalin, and touching on the Cold War. Gay examines the crucial events, prominent personalities, and consequences of the Russian Revolution. The coherent, well-written text is enhanced by archival photographs, sidebars, and brief biographies of notable figures. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Aftermath of History series. This volume chronicles the history of modern China, from the collapse of the Manchu Dynasty in 1911 to the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Civil wars, the Japanese invasion and occupation, and the battles between Nationalist and Communist factions are recounted in coherent and readable text. Sidebars and archival photographs enhance the well-researched book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Dictatorships series. These books about two Asian dictators first present histories of their countries before exploring the men's own backgrounds and regimes in greater depth. The texts are dense; strong graphic design with a bold, contemporary look including well-placed sidebars and photographs makes these books visually appealing and accessible. Thorough backmatter includes a "Who's Who?" Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Dictatorships titles: Kim Jong Il's North Korea and Mao Zedong's China.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) 4-6 Issues in Focus Today series. This book offers a general, evenhanded overview of the controversial subject of genetically engineered food. It begins with a discussion of the "Enviropig," a genetically modified breed of pig with "environmentally friendly" waste. The author then discusses history, production, and pros and cons of genetically engineered food. Short chapters are illustrated with photographs (some stiffly and awkwardly staged). Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) YA Issues in Focus series. In this is a rather dry but serviceable book, Gay covers both the pro-choice and pro-life sides of the abortion debate and uses personal stories to balance out her many statistics. She briefly mentions the most current issues including "partial-birth abortion" and stem cell research, but these mentions are so cursory as to be almost useless. Directory, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) YA Diseases and People series. These books discuss each condition's history, detection and diagnosis, treatment, social implications, and current research. Attention is also given to outlining challenges to improving the health of sufferers. A few careless errors in Schizophrenia detract from an otherwise informative text. The serviceable black-and-white photos often bear little relevance to the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Diseases and People titles: Eating Disorders and Schizophrenia.]

Reviewer: Kayla Cottingham

(3) YA This thorough and respectful look at "skin art" aims to inform its adolescent readership that what is currently a countercultural trend has venerable roots in ancient cultural and religious traditions. The high-grade color and black-and-white photos and paper stock give this volume an art-book quality. Parents and educators seeking a cautionary look at tattooing should turn elsewhere. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA This book takes a humane look at the experiences of children who have left Castro's Cuba, from the thousands smuggled into the United States in Operation Pedro Pan in the 1960s to Elian Gonzalez. The rich narrative, which features interviews with Cuban immigrants and black-and-white photos of refugees, often in transit, emphasizes the emotional costs of freedom, particularly separation from one's family. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Impact Book series. Exploring the sometimes questionable links between government and big business, the book discusses political lobbying, government handouts to corporations, and the campaign finance reforms that both Democrat and Republican leaders have promised. The chapters providing historical background are informative, but the overall writing style is dry and unengaging. The black-and-white photographs add little to the text. A list of websites is included. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Science of the Past series. Ancient ideas about astronomy, medicine, animal and plant classification, and mathematics are clearly, if briefly, discussed. Color photos and reproductions illustrate the books, which cover so much information that some major figures, such as Plato and Aristotle, are barely mentioned. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Howard

(4) YA Despite occasionally awkward prose, this unflinching look at child labor is expert at conveying the gray area that snares the issue, such as the fact that many child laborers insist that they must work to survive. The exploited's testimony shares the page with the usual statistics, and full-page black-and-white photos depict both child laborers and young activists fighting on their behalf. Ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Published spring 1998. Thumbnail overviews of various wars--including the American Revolution, the two world wars, and the Gulf War--are followed by expansive discussions of the social and political changes that occurred after each conflict. Continental migration, labor organization, and civil rights are cited as some of war's historical repercussions. Each chapter begins with a dark black-and-white photograph that adds to the dreary feeling of this informative but unengaging book. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta