(3) 4-6 National Parks series. This series takes readers on pleasant tours through individual national parks. Each book's second-person text has a guidebook-like tone, offering tips and tricks for getting the most out of a visit. The volumes are filled with fascinating facts, vivid photographs of natural wonders and animals visitors might encounter, and keyed maps. Additional fast facts are appended. There are six other spring 2018 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Welcome to Redwood National and State Parks, Welcome to Yosemite National Park, Welcome to Denali National Park and Preserve, Welcome to Glacier National Park, Welcome to Grand Teton National Park, and Welcome to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Robotics in Our World series. With clear text, strong organization, and appropriate photographs, this high-interest series introduces branches of robotics to newly independent readers. Each book straightforwardly explains the history and current uses of particular types of robots and keeps a rosy outlook on these technological advancements. Bright page colors add to the books' visual appeal without being distracting. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Robotics in Our World titles: Factory Robots and Drones.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 You Choose: Ancient Greek Myths series. Illustrated by Nadine Takvorian. 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, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following You Choose titles: Perseus the Hero and Jason, the Argonauts, and the Golden Fleece.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Higgins introduces key figures and issues of the feminist movement through the lens of the different waves, discussing reproductive rights, abortion, poverty, work discrimination, and more. Text boxes provide context, ask questions, and outline adjacent issues and ideas. Photos and extensive supplemental materials (mini-biographies of key figures and a list of recommended organizations for "tak[ing] action") round out this opinionated overview. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Andrea Curtis

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments series. Higgins guides young scientists through careful examination of botany concepts, from parts of a plant and their functions to the environmental conditions necessary for growth. The classic activities and explanations are well organized and clearly illustrated, although a trip to the gardening store will be necessary for specific materials. Together, the books are comprehensive; separately, content is thin. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments titles: Experiment with a Plant's Living Environment, Experiment with a Plant's Roots, Experiment with Parts of a Plant, Experiment with Photosynthesis, Experiment with Pollination, and Experiment with What a Plant Needs to Grow.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments series. Higgins guides young scientists through careful examination of botany concepts, from parts of a plant and their functions to the environmental conditions necessary for growth. The classic activities and explanations are well organized and clearly illustrated, although a trip to the gardening store will be necessary for specific materials. Together, the books are comprehensive; separately, content is thin. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments titles: Experiment with a Plant's Living Environment, Experiment with a Plant's Roots, Experiment with Parts of a Plant, Experiment with Photosynthesis, Experiment with Pollination, and Experiment with What a Plant Needs to Grow.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments series. Higgins guides young scientists through careful examination of botany concepts, from parts of a plant and their functions to the environmental conditions necessary for growth. The classic activities and explanations are well organized and clearly illustrated, although a trip to the gardening store will be necessary for specific materials. Together, the books are comprehensive; separately, content is thin. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments titles: Experiment with a Plant's Living Environment, Experiment with a Plant's Roots, Experiment with Parts of a Plant, Experiment with Photosynthesis, Experiment with Pollination, and Experiment with What a Plant Needs to Grow.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments series. Higgins guides young scientists through careful examination of botany concepts, from parts of a plant and their functions to the environmental conditions necessary for growth. The classic activities and explanations are well organized and clearly illustrated, although a trip to the gardening store will be necessary for specific materials. Together, the books are comprehensive; separately, content is thin. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments titles: Experiment with a Plant's Living Environment, Experiment with a Plant's Roots, Experiment with Parts of a Plant, Experiment with Photosynthesis, Experiment with Pollination, and Experiment with What a Plant Needs to Grow.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments series. Higgins guides young scientists through careful examination of botany concepts, from parts of a plant and their functions to the environmental conditions necessary for growth. The classic activities and explanations are well organized and clearly illustrated, although a trip to the gardening store will be necessary for specific materials. Together, the books are comprehensive; separately, content is thin. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments titles: Experiment with a Plant's Living Environment, Experiment with a Plant's Roots, Experiment with Parts of a Plant, Experiment with Photosynthesis, Experiment with Pollination, and Experiment with What a Plant Needs to Grow.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments series. Higgins guides young scientists through careful examination of botany concepts, from parts of a plant and their functions to the environmental conditions necessary for growth. The classic activities and explanations are well organized and clearly illustrated, although a trip to the gardening store will be necessary for specific materials. Together, the books are comprehensive; separately, content is thin. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Plant Experiments titles: Experiment with a Plant's Living Environment, Experiment with a Plant's Roots, Experiment with Parts of a Plant, Experiment with Photosynthesis, Experiment with Pollination, and Experiment with What a Plant Needs to Grow.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Edge Books: Library of Weird series. From the "Nose Stylus" (so you can use your smartphone in the bathtub) to the "Brush and Shine" (for the grooming of bald-headed men) to "Anti-Theft Lunch Bags" (which make sandwiches appear to be moldy and unpalatable), this book is filled with truly odd and intriguing inventions. With plenty of illustrative photographs and graphics, amusement is guaranteed. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Cause and Effect: American Indian History series. By clearly delineating their causes and effects, these books briefly recount two tragic events in U.S./Native American history: Custer's ill-fated attempt to bring Lakota tribes into submission (Last) and the Cherokee Nation's removal from the east to Indian Territory in Oklahoma (Forced). Illustrations, charts, and maps enhance the lackluster texts. Common Core critical thinking prompts are included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fact Finders: Cause and Effect: American Indian History titles: Last Stand and Forced Removal.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Andrew Jennings. This volume provides a broad overview of Norse civilization during the Viking Age, A.D. 793–1066. In four main chapters, a wide variety of topics are covered cursorily. Multiple text boxes, maps, graphics, and action-packed digital illustrations give the pages a busy feel. Opportunities for interaction (e.g., a "What's Your Viking Nickname?" activity) are plenty. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Pop Culture Bios series. Each volume in this series superficially discusses the featured young celebrity's childhood, early projects, rise to current stardom, and, when applicable, causes (e.g., Watson's free-trade clothing line; Wilson's focus on positive body image). Sidebars define unfamiliar lingo and offer "favs," "peeves," and other trivia. Brightly colored layouts and copious stock photos emphasize the text's casual, teenybopper-magazine tone. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pop Culture Bios titles: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Nicholas Hoult, Emma Watson, Jaden Smith, and Rebel Wilson.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Pop Culture Bios series. Each volume in this series superficially discusses the featured young celebrity's childhood, early projects, rise to current stardom, and, when applicable, causes (e.g., Watson's free-trade clothing line; Wilson's focus on positive body image). Sidebars define unfamiliar lingo and offer "favs," "peeves," and other trivia. Brightly colored layouts and copious stock photos emphasize the text's casual, teenybopper-magazine tone. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pop Culture Bios titles: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Nicholas Hoult, Emma Watson, Jaden Smith, and Rebel Wilson.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Pop Culture Bios series. Each volume in this series superficially discusses the featured young celebrity's childhood, early projects, rise to current stardom, and, when applicable, causes (e.g., Watson's free-trade clothing line; Wilson's focus on positive body image). Sidebars define unfamiliar lingo and offer "favs," "peeves," and other trivia. Brightly colored layouts and copious stock photos emphasize the text's casual, teenybopper-magazine tone. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pop Culture Bios titles: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Nicholas Hoult, Emma Watson, Jaden Smith, and Rebel Wilson.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Super Social Studies Infographics series. Illustrated by Laura Westlund. These books succinctly examine geographic data using charts, graphs, and maps. Each book gives snippets of information about various facets of geography such as population density, wealth distribution, physical features, national disasters, and global warming. The format is cluttered, and the text is sometimes difficult to read, but middle-grade readers may find the visual approach appealing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Super Social Studies Infographics titles: US Geography Through Infographics and World Geography Through Infographics.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Super Social Studies Infographics series. Illustrated by Alex Sciuto. Using charts and graphs, these books present data about the structure and function of our government, and about the development of a country's economy and the issues that affect it. Topics are broad with little attention to developing the concepts raised. The cluttered format is distracting, but an effort is made to make the complex information relevant to middle-grade readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Super Social Studies Infographics titles: US Government Through Infographics and Economics Through Infographics.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Super Social Studies Infographics series. Illustrated by Vic Kulihin. The infographic presentation in these books delivers information about American culture (such as family traditions, art forms, sports, landmarks, and patriotic issues) and the course of U.S. history (e.g., the Civil War, immigration). Little attempt is made to expand or explain the data. While pages are cluttered and often confusing, middle-grade readers may find the visual approach appealing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Super Social Studies Infographics titles: US Culture Through Infographics and US History Through Infographics.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Perspectives Flip Books series. Each volume is packaged as two books in one, and the series gimmick presents purported opposing views on the titular movements. Thus the "Activists' Perspective" is followed (on the flip side) by "Segregationists' Perspective." Both views are relayed in the same fact-driven voice; overall these are solid discussions. Archival photos and sidebars support the texts. The small-size font may be off-putting to some readers. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Perspectives Flip Books titles: The Split History of the Civil Rights Movement and The Split History of the Women's Suffrage Movement.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer