(3) 4-6 Halls takes a matter-of-fact look at death and recycling in nature, with a focus on the organisms that decompose and digest previously living matter. Chapters cover the bacteria, microorganisms, and insects that first appear on the scene, as well as small mammals, birds, and crabs. Photographs of both the scavengers and the dead bodies of the scavenged are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Lie Detector series. Illustrated by Lee Cosgrove. "Elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror. FACT or FIB?" (Fact.) Twelve true/false questions about animals are asked, then briefly answered on the following page. The random sampling of cursory facts may not satisfy animal enthusiasts, but the tidbits are interesting, and the guessing-game format and colorful cartoons of anthropomorphized animals (sometimes cracking mildly humorous jokes) lend appeal. Matching quiz appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 Guided by stable manager Jack, fourteen-year-old volunteer Annie buys and trains a wild Buckskin otherwise destined to become dog food. When "teen queen" Peggy's horse falls subject to sabotage, Annie rushes to save the stable's horses. Halls meticulously captures the painstaking process of training a wild horse, but the sabotage and associated lessons come late and are resolved too quickly.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 Five brief chapters offer anecdotes variously supporting and debunking the existence of ghosts. Calling for "a questioning but open mind," Halls mostly maintains a neutral tone but occasionally veers toward sensationalism. Several well-known children's authors (e.g., Bruce Coville, Lisa Yee) contribute their own experiences. An appendix includes "haunted" places to visit and information on faked ghost photos. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 National Geographic Kids Chapters series. Animal lovers looking for nonfiction accounts of admirable creatures will appreciate these small-format titles. Each book contains several stories of heroic and/or devoted creatures, broken into entertaining, easy-to-read chapters and studded with background information and color photographs. Some, like lovable signing gorilla Koko, have already had books devoted to them, but these slim, unintimidating volumes are solid choices. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these titles: Courageous Canine! and Best Friends Forever!.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 With a surprisingly even-handed tone, this book uses an interest in aliens to inspire scientific inquiry. It discusses the history of UFO sightings, crashes, and hoaxes, providing thoroughly researched, factual information while remaining non-judgmental about unexplained phenomena. A fictionalized thread of an alien mission is interspersed with the nonfiction. The author's interviews with experts and witnesses are particularly insightful. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) 4-6 Referencing Native American tales and artifacts, personal accounts, notable film footage, and scientists from varying specialties, this engaging discussion presents the history of the search for Bigfoot and the probability of proving its existence through advancing technologies. Color photographs, diagrams, and maps add credibility and substance, providing both the skeptic and believer with the tools to sift fact from fiction. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(2) 4-6 Photographs by William Sumner. This moving photo essay reveals how Americans and Iraqis, with assistance from international animal welfare groups, worked together to relocate and rehabilitate zoo animals abandoned in their cages when the war began. Today the reopened Baghdad Zoo provides sanctuary for animal inhabitants and human visitors alike. A strong thread of emotion pulls together the animals' stories. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2010

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Rick C. Spears. Readers act as parade spectators as dinosaurs march by. On each colorful double-page spread, five species represent their dinosaur orders (ornithopods, theropods, etc.), accompanied by basic facts and rhyming sentences (some a stretch) highlighting their important characteristics. The groups show species that did not live at the same time, including human children who ride along with the dinosaurs on display. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Mark Hallett. This volume examines the history of horses from prehistoric to modern species. Characteristics, origins, and range of wild horses throughout time and across the world are discussed. The well-documented and informative text and the many photographs and drawings will be appreciated by horse enthusiasts. Information about preserving endangered species is appended. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Science Fair Projects series. Each of the books begins with nearly the same introduction to science project research, then features nine classic science fair projects (e.g., using toy cars on ramps to measure acceleration, measuring heart rate before and after exercise) that vary in quality. The instructions and accompanying illustrations are clear, but there's not much that is original or creative here. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Fair Projects titles: Astronomy and Space, Cells and Systems, Forces and Motion, and Rocks and Minerals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Fair Projects series. Each of the books begins with nearly the same introduction to science project research, then features nine classic science fair projects (e.g., using toy cars on ramps to measure acceleration, measuring heart rate before and after exercise) that vary in quality. The instructions and accompanying illustrations are clear, but there's not much that is original or creative here. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Fair Projects titles: Astronomy and Space, Cells and Systems, Forces and Motion, and Rocks and Minerals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Fair Projects series. Each of the books begins with nearly the same introduction to science project research, then features nine classic science fair projects (e.g., using toy cars on ramps to measure acceleration, measuring heart rate before and after exercise) that vary in quality. The instructions and accompanying illustrations are clear, but there's not much that is original or creative here. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Fair Projects titles: Astronomy and Space, Cells and Systems, Forces and Motion, and Rocks and Minerals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Fair Projects series. Each of the books begins with nearly the same introduction to science project research, then features nine classic science fair projects (e.g., using toy cars on ramps to measure acceleration, measuring heart rate before and after exercise) that vary in quality. The instructions and accompanying illustrations are clear, but there's not much that is original or creative here. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Fair Projects titles: Astronomy and Space, Cells and Systems, Forces and Motion, and Rocks and Minerals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Graphic photographs of child mummies from around the world accompany this informative text that describes mummification processes (accidental and intentional) and the historical value of these archaeological discoveries. Many of the photos are gruesome, as are the tales of child sacrifice and murder. Short chapters, clear writing, interviews, and quotes from scientists add depth. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 This book of cryptozoology ("the study of and searching for legendary animals") will be snatched up by those obsessed with creatures such as Bigfoot and Nessie, and more obscure creatures like Owlman. The book includes photos, drawings, and descriptions; the sketchy scientific evidence is beside the point. A "reality index" ranging from "real" to "hoax" rates the creatures' likelihood of existence. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) PS Illustrated by Karen Stormer Brooks. This book about a girl who buys a single baby chicken that inspires the family to buy more--and more and more--provides good, pleasant counting-book fun, especially for a group. While the ending is weak ("I guess my family's lucky that I didn't want a cow!"), the tale is cheerfully told and supported by colorful cartoon-style illustrations.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn