(4) 4-6 You Choose: Ancient Greek Myths series. Illustrated by Carolyn Arcabascio. These two decent adaptations of Greek myths rely on a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure format, which encourages multiple read-throughs to follow the different story paths. This makes for some abrupt transitions, though, as you skip past parts of each myth. Both books include serviceable sepia-toned illustrations. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these You Choose: Ancient Greek Myths titles: Olympians vs. Titans and Hades and the Underworld.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Connect: Discovering the New World series. In a forced fictional tie-in to a nonfiction series, this novel imagines the experience of thirteen-year-old Samuel de la Loire, an aristocratic French boy. Sam stows away on one of explorer Jacques Cartier's ships as it travels to the New World. Cocky at first, Sam soon learns the harsh realities of life as a sailor, explorer, and settler. "Making Connections" questions are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) YA Odysseys in Art series. This well-written, scholarly series takes a historical approach to the study of artistic movements, devoting much time to social sentiments and major events that shaped artists of various eras. The volumes would benefit from more reproductions, and what there is would be better served in a larger, more open format. There are three other fall 2015 books in this series. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Odysseys in Art titles: The Baroque Period, Late Modernism, Realism, Romanticism, and Cubism.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Connect: U.S. Immigration in the 1900s series. Eleven-year-old Emma narrates the arduous journey from Ukraine to America as she and her family make their way to North Dakota in 1910, fleeing the discrimination they face as ethnic Germans in Czarist Russia. The narrative is unsubtly curriculum-oriented but fulfills its stated goal of putting a human face on the context for and challenges of early-1900s immigration to the U.S.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA Odysseys in Art series. This well-written, scholarly series takes a historical approach to the study of artistic movements, devoting much time to social sentiments and major events that shaped artists of various eras. The volumes would benefit from more reproductions, and what there is would be better served in a larger, more open format. There are three other fall 2015 books in this series. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Odysseys in Art titles: The Baroque Period, Late Modernism, Realism, Romanticism, and Cubism.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Perspectives on History series. "What could lead a distinguished general to betray the Patriot cause?" The book tackles that question by examining Arnold's military successes and frustrations as well as his flawed, insecure personality. Sidebars vary in value and relevant placement, but there's lots of interesting history here. Though he's mostly maligned, the narrative does humanize the notorious traitor. Common Core critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Perspectives on History series. "Brilliant sailor" or "villain"--"Which perspective is true?" The book chronicles Columbus's early aspirations, voyages, discoveries, and legacies while touching on both his achievements and his transgressions throughout. Though some meaty information is buried in sidebars or tiny illustration captions, there's lots of solid history here, and the perspective-challenging objective is successful. Common Core critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Two lines of rhyming text combine with cartoonish digital illustrations to convey the concept of size. This book provides an entertaining perspective on measurement, from a bulldozer weighing as much as nineteen-thousand kittens to a T. rex's height equaling thirty-six hot dogs. A text box includes measurements in English units with metric equivalents.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 War on Terror series. This series chronicles events surrounding the September 11 terrorist attacks, including activities beginning years prior to 2001 as well as those that have transpired since. Each volume focuses on an individual topic; the books can be read independently or as a unit (there is some repetition). Numerous photographs and sidebars in a clean layout enhance the texts. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these War on Terror titles: Methods of Warfare, Pivotal Moments, Causes, Controversies, Ideology and Information, and Important Figures.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 War on Terror series. This series chronicles events surrounding the September 11 terrorist attacks, including activities beginning years prior to 2001 as well as those that have transpired since. Each volume focuses on an individual topic; the books can be read independently or as a unit (there is some repetition). Numerous photographs and sidebars in a clean layout enhance the texts. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these War on Terror titles: Methods of Warfare, Pivotal Moments, Causes, Controversies, Ideology and Information, and Important Figures.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Greek Myths series. Illustrated by Rich Pellegrino. Each book provides a brief glimpse into a particular episode in Greek mythology. Although part of larger mythic cycles, the tales work well as stand-alone stories. Three different illustrators solidly convey the emotional impact of each narrative. The texts are somewhat stiff but easy to read and follow. Lists of characters assist with pronunciation. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these Greek Myths titles: Medusa's Stony Stare, Odysseus and the Cyclops, and Pandora's Vase.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Earth Issues series. Each book covers an aspect of environmental science or policy in light of human impact on climate change and energy use (with some overlap of content across volumes). Thorough coverage of background scientific and legal concepts is provided to place current events into context. Crisp color photographs illustrate the sources and uses of energy, as well as their effects on the natural world. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Earth Issues titles: Environmental Law, The Energy Dilemma, and Global Warming.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Earth Issues series. Each book covers an aspect of environmental science or policy in light of human impact on climate change and energy use (with some overlap of content across volumes). Thorough coverage of background scientific and legal concepts is provided to place current events into context. Crisp color photographs illustrate the sources and uses of energy, as well as their effects on the natural world. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Earth Issues titles: Environmental Law, The Energy Dilemma, and Global Warming.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Movements in Art series. Introductions describing the social and cultural settings that gave rise to these artistic periods are followed by sections on specific artists, famous pieces, and the legacy of each movement. A "Place to Visit" feature describes museums. The art, beautifully reproduced on thick, glossy paper, is confusingly not always placed near the text describing it. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Movements in Art titles: Gothic Art, Impressionism, Realism, and Romanticism.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Movements in Art series. Introductions describing the social and cultural settings that gave rise to these artistic periods are followed by sections on specific artists, famous pieces, and the legacy of each movement. A "Place to Visit" feature describes museums. The art, beautifully reproduced on thick, glossy paper, is confusingly not always placed near the text describing it. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Movements in Art titles: Gothic Art, Impressionism, Realism, and Romanticism.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Movements in Art series. Introductions describing the social and cultural settings that gave rise to these artistic periods are followed by sections on specific artists, famous pieces, and the legacy of each movement. A "Place to Visit" feature describes museums. The art, beautifully reproduced on thick, glossy paper, is confusingly not always placed near the text describing it. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Movements in Art titles: Gothic Art, Impressionism, Realism, and Romanticism.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Movements in Art series. Introductions describing the social and cultural settings that gave rise to these artistic periods are followed by sections on specific artists, famous pieces, and the legacy of each movement. A "Place to Visit" feature describes museums. The art, beautifully reproduced on thick, glossy paper, is confusingly not always placed near the text describing it. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Movements in Art titles: Gothic Art, Impressionism, Realism, and Romanticism.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges