(3) YA America's Great Political Families series. This well-written, thoroughly researched series delves into the lives and careers of presidential families, providing in-depth looks at multiple family members. From family histories and drama to political scandals, criticisms, and maneuvers, each subject is explored in a clear, objective, and engaging way. Each volume includes archival photos, a family tree, and appended "fun facts." Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following America's Great Political Families titles: The Kennedys, The Roosevelts, The Bushes, and The Clintons.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 What Were They Fighting For? series. A dry but informative text provides a broad overview of the Civil War. Captioned black-and-white photos and occasional sidebars complement the basic explanation of what motivated the North and the South to go to war. Upper-elementary and middle school students will find the book useful for reports. Reading list, timelime. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(4) 4-6 Inside Elections series. This series examines political issues that are pertinent to an informed citizenry participating in a democracy. Each book covers some phase of the voting process and provides adequate information for a basic understanding of the selected topic. Inserts present pros and cons of viewpoints held by opposition groups. The dense texts are illustrated with small photographs and charts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Inside Elections titles: Media, Special Interests, Voters, and Political Parties.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Essential Library of the US Military series. Each military branch's profile begins with a description of recent successful military initiatives to illustrate the group's mission and scope. Successive chapters effectively trace history, contemporary roles, equipment, and weapons. Career opportunities and basic training are also discussed; a final chapter describes life on the job. Color photos, charts, maps, and informative sidebars enhance the texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these US Military titles: The US Air Force, The US National Guard, The Us Coast Guard, and The Us Army.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Essential Lives series. Though sometimes repetitive (Estée) or awkwardly written (Malcolm X), these standard-issue biographies, illustrated with stock photographs, do offer balanced portraits of their subjects and will be useful for report writers. With fewer years to cover, Malala includes chapters on Pakistan, Islam, and the Taliban. The many sidebars are informative if somewhat distracting. Reading list, timelime. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Lives titles: Estée Lauder, Jonas Salk, Malcolm X, and Malala Yousafzai.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) YA Essential Library of American Wars series. These volumes present condensed accounts of two major conflicts of early American history. Both books enumerate causes leading to the wars, key players, important dates, and principal battle locations; decisive battles and their outcomes are covered briefly. Maps, archival drawings and photographs, and numerous inserts extend and enhance the informative texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Library of American Wars titles: Civil War and Revolutionary 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

(4) YA Essential Events series. The book's first chapter relates the story of rebellion by African captives aboard the Amistad. Much of the rest of the volume deals with legal battles over the Africans' plight and ownership of the ship. Tension between the U.S. and Spain over illegal slave trading is also discussed. Drawings, photographs, maps, and sidebars enhance the main text but tend to crowd it. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Major Competitive Reality Shows series. Fans will find some behind-the-scenes tidbits from their favorite shows (e.g, America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel shaves his head because of germs), but they're somewhat difficult to locate among the dry descriptions of each show's history and format and short biographies of judges and notable contestants. Stock photos, sidebars, and "Fast Facts" liven up the layout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Major Competitive Reality Shows titles: The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and America's Got Talent.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Major Competitive Reality Shows series. Fans will find some behind-the-scenes tidbits from their favorite shows (e.g, America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel shaves his head because of germs), but they're somewhat difficult to locate among the dry descriptions of each show's history and format and short biographies of judges and notable contestants. Stock photos, sidebars, and "Fast Facts" liven up the layout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Major Competitive Reality Shows titles: The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and America's Got Talent.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 FBI Story series. Each volume focuses on an aspect of the FBI's history and/or functions. The texts present anecdotes and background along with some editorializing. Though content overlaps, the series provides a well-rounded view of what the FBI is and what it investigates, from organized crime to kidnapping to terrorism. Copious photos lend accessibility. There are six other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these FBI Story titles: The FBI and Organized Crime, The FBI Files, A History of the FBI, The FBI and National Security, The FBI's Most Wanted, and Investigative Techniques of the FBI.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) YA Modern Role Models series. These biographies chronicle the subjects' rise to fame, major setbacks and accomplishments, and efforts toward helping others. The busy design includes photographs, bolded quotations, and many different-color fonts. Sports fans will appreciate the range of topics discussed in the series, from basketball to snowboarding, auto racing and professional wrestling. There are twelve other fall 2008 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Modern Role Models titles: Danica Patrick, John Cena, Shaun White, Sheryl Swoopes, and Dwyane Wade.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey