(3) YA A tour of internet tinkering begins with innocently inventive cyber explorers and leads progressively into an overview of the latest destructive cyber crimes. The schemes of hackers and other troublemakers are described in detail. Topics such as the "darknet" (internet underworld) and the "digital cold war" raise serious timely questions about increasing surveillance in defense of our expanding cyber space. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Great Warriors series. Two of the U.S. military's elite Special Forces units are explored in these volumes. Each book provides a brief history of the units, details past and current missions, and delves into the grueling training it takes to join the Green Berets and Navy SEALs. Color photographs and sidebars provide additional details. "Stop and think" questions promote critical thinking. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Warriors titles: Green Berets and Navy SEALs.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Essential Library of American Wars series. These volumes present accounts of two unpopular foreign military conflicts during the twentieth century. Each relates events preceding American involvement, principal characters, major battles, and eventual outcomes. Vietnam also devotes attention to the domestic crisis and protests resulting from the war's escalation. Maps, archival photographs, and numerous inserts enhance the informative texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Library of American Wars titles: Vietnam War and Korean War.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Essential Events series. Gold Rush and Kansas present overviews of significant mid-nineteenth century events. Columbine and Hudson use eyewitness and news media reports to provide accounts of these contemporary happenings. Illustrations, photographs, and sidebars enhance the informative texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Events titles: The Columbine Shootings, California's Gold Rush, The Hudson Plane Landing, and Bleeding Kansas.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Technology Pioneers series. Each book begins with an overview of the title company's main product, then backtracks to provide a well-narrated history of its conception and development. Key figures (e.g., Craig Newmark of Craigslist, Pierre Omidyar of eBay) are profiled in a way that makes clear their creativity, entrepreneurship, and inextricable links to their respective organizations. Useful photographs are included. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Technology Pioneers titles: Nintendo, Craigslist, eBay, and Google.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Essential Events series. These books give overviews of two troubled periods in world events prior to and following World War II. Holocaust graphically depicts the atrocities inflicted upon Jews by the Nazis. Cold War chronicles the conflict between the USA and USSR leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Empire. Sidebars and archival photographs extend but also crowd the readable texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Events titles: The Holocaust and The Cold War.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Military Heroes series. Filled with photographs and archival illustrations, this series presents a range of famous and lesser-known people involved in U.S. military history. In addition to standard biographical details, the texts also examine controversies and career flops as well as successes; sidebars provide historical context. Though the writing is on the bland side, the texts are useful for reports. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Military Heroes titles: Samuel Houston, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., George S. Patton, Clara Barton, John McCain, and Colin Powell.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Essential Lives series. This series offers serviceable if bland biographies of people famous in a variety of arenas. Frida recounts her creative achievements and stormy relationships; Walt is largely adulatory; Stan touches on the history of comics. The writing is straightforward, and frequent sidebars help with historical context. Some photographs and archival materials also break up the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Lives titles: Frida Kahlo, Stan Lee, and Walt Disney.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Essential Lives series. This series offers serviceable if bland biographies of people famous in a variety of arenas. Frida recounts her creative achievements and stormy relationships; Walt is largely adulatory; Stan touches on the history of comics. The writing is straightforward, and frequent sidebars help with historical context. Some photographs and archival materials also break up the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Lives titles: Frida Kahlo, Stan Lee, and Walt Disney.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Essential Events series. These books examine seminal events in American history. Each gives background information and discusses the people involved. The writing is straightforward, and readers will find these books useful for reports. The many sidebars are informative and interesting, though the design is crowded. Archival photographs and drawings enhance the text. There are four other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Events titles: The Battle of the Little Bighorn, Hurricane Katrina, The Great Chicago Fire, The Assassination of John F. Kennedy, and The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg