(4) 4-6 Great American Authors series. These straightforward, somewhat banal biographies feature large, easy-to-read texts and archival photos of varying quality. Sidebars provide further information and encourage literary analysis, web exploration, or investigation of graphs and charts. The books are invitingly designed and may appeal to reluctant readers. Back matter includes "Important Dates," "Key Works," and writing prompts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great American Authors titles: Langston Hughes, Louisa May Alcott, Emily Dickinson, and Robert Frost.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 Continents series. With a smaller scope than other books in the series, this is an adequate but superficial overview of Antarctica, illustrated with photographs that are sharp but not always well placed. There is nothing you won't find in a basic encyclopedia article. Common Core sidebars are more interesting but frequently at a higher skill level than the book itself. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) YA Famous Court Cases That Became Movies series. This series provides detailed descriptions of both the court cases in question and the movies (none released recently) about them. Some of the texts make relevant connections; in other instances, the breadth of coverage obscures the big picture about why these cases are important. Historical photographs and documents are interspersed with movie stills. Reading list, websites. Glos, ind. Review covers these Famous Court Cases That Became Movies titles: The Amistad Mutiny, Witchcraft on Trial, and The Bounty Mutiny.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) YA Multicultural Literature series. Literature students may appreciate this dense discussion of Wright's seminal novel about growing up as an African American during the Jim Crow era. Chapter summaries, literary elements, reception and criticism, and a brief overview of Wright's life combine with photographs and sidebars to present analysis of the book, its place in history, and the author behind it. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Authors of Banned Books series. Students researching book banning will appreciate this series that reviews historical censorship, provides each author's biography, summarizes the writer's most frequently banned books, and considers current issues related to the author's most famous titles. Several of the same sidebars and stock photos are repeated across volumes, giving the research a cookie-cutter quality. Discussion questions and lists of works are appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Authors of Banned Books titles: John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, and Madeleine L'Engle.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Issues in Focus Today series. These books offer general overviews of the subjects. AIDS begins with a profile of Ryan White, then tells about the history of HIV/AIDS, its treatments, and what is being done around the world to fight its spread. Bioethics offers an evenhanded treatment of the sometimes controversial subject. The short chapters are illustrated with photographs (some stiffly and awkwardly staged). Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Issues in Focus Today titles: Bioethics and Fighting the AIDS and HIV Epidemic.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo