(4) 4-6 Constitution and the United States Government series. This retitled and updated series provides insight into the three branches of U.S. government, other agencies, and the documents that guide them. The dry texts are well researched and informative. While the photographs add interest, some are poorly reproduced. Executive includes a list of presidents; Security and Legislative include timelines. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Constitution and the United States Government titles: The Constitution of the United States, The President and the Executive Branch, The Security Agencies of the United States, The Supreme Court and the Judicial Branch, The United States Congress and the Legislative Branch.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. The final chapter of this revised edition, titled "Lincoln's Legacy," provides a good summation of Lincoln's life and political career. The preceding chapters, however, lack vigor. Interesting primary source documents and too-dark black-and-white photographs illustrate the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) YA Open for Debate series. Encyclopedia-quality prose identifies different types of chemical and biological weapons and explains their effects, provides historical examples of their use, and discusses methods of protection that range from disarmament treaties to creating safer vaccinations. Illustrated with stock color photos, the book may be sufficient for report-writing students, but is otherwise uninspired. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Issues in Focus series. Using examples from actual medical and legal cases, this overview explores issues such as transplantation, the rights of young patients, and euthanasia. The volume also addresses the need for decision-making ethics committees. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, the text provides a basic introduction to the topic, but doesn't delve very deeply into the reasons so many of these medical dilemmas are controversial. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Issues in Focus series. Day describes how bacteria have grown increasingly resistant to antibiotic drugs, resulting in the frightening possibility of "superbugs." Judson discusses how the genetic advancements that improve agriculture and treat medical conditions can provoke ethical questions. Although each title in this series contains dry scientific prose and dull black-and-white photos, both books offer solid introductions to their subject matter. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Issues in Focus titles: Killer Superbugs and Genetic Engineering.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Issues in Focus series. These books look at opposing sides of present-day social issues: right-to-die advocates vs. anti-euthanasia proponents; hunters vs. animal rights activists; freedom of information vs. right to privacy; teen rights vs. parental authority. Except for Hunting, the books are basically topical overviews, acknowledging but not delving very deeply into the conflicting viewpoints. A sprinkling of black-and-white photos illustrate the texts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) 4-6 People to Know series. With the exception of Hemingway, the subjects of these books have rarely been showcased in juvenile biographies, despite being individuals young people may know and find interesting. Although sometimes superficial, the adequately written volumes emphasize the talent, ambition, and work ethic that made the subjects win laurels and legions of fans. Illustrated with adequate black-and-white photographs, each book includes a chronology. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. The final chapter of each book, titled "Legacy," provides a good summation of each president's life and political career, but the preceding chapters lack vigor, typified by an undramatic description of Kennedy's assassination and Johnson's sudden assumption of the presidency. The books are illustrated with interesting source documents and too-dark black-and-white photographs. Chronologies are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta