(4) K-3 Places We Live series. Taking a multicultural approach, these generalized volumes provide overviews of life in different geographic locales. The brief texts and captioned photos touch on what's unique to the specific regions; Desert and Mountain unintentionally highlight stark economic contrasts between the U.S. and other parts of the world. Each book includes a world map, appended "Fun Facts," and a quiz. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Places We Live titles: Living in a City, Living in a Desert, and Living on a Mountain.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Places We Live series. Taking a multicultural approach, these generalized volumes provide overviews of life in different geographic locales. The brief texts and captioned photos touch on what's unique to the specific regions; Desert and Mountain unintentionally highlight stark economic contrasts between the U.S. and other parts of the world. Each book includes a world map, appended "Fun Facts," and a quiz. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Places We Live titles: Living in a City, Living in a Desert, and Living on a Mountain.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Places We Live series. Taking a multicultural approach, these generalized volumes provide overviews of life in different geographic locales. The brief texts and captioned photos touch on what's unique to the specific regions; Desert and Mountain unintentionally highlight stark economic contrasts between the U.S. and other parts of the world. Each book includes a world map, appended "Fun Facts," and a quiz. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Places We Live titles: Living in a City, Living in a Desert, and Living on a Mountain.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans series. Illustrated by Doug Jones. Cub Reporter "interviews" Sacagawea about her life and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Sacagawea responds to simplistic questions in her own hokey "voice" ("Captain Lewis said that if I hadn't done this, the trip could've been ruined!"). Cartoons of a microphone-holding bear cub alternate with captioned photos and illustrations that extend information. The premise may work for reluctant readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Earth's Last Frontiers series. These volumes offer generalized but interesting facts about oceans and jungles in accessible text and "WOW!" sidebars. Many of the color photographs are quite striking, and maps and simple diagrams enhance understanding of concepts such as the equator and ocean layers. Both books reinforce that it's "our job" to protect these precious final frontiers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Earth's Last Frontiers titles: Deep Oceans and Jungle Worlds.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Earth's Last Frontiers series. These volumes offer generalized but interesting facts about oceans and jungles in accessible text and "WOW!" sidebars. Many of the color photographs are quite striking, and maps and simple diagrams enhance understanding of concepts such as the equator and ocean layers. Both books reinforce that it's "our job" to protect these precious final frontiers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Earth's Last Frontiers titles: Deep Oceans and Jungle Worlds.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Science Biographies series. Each of these readable and engaging texts highlights basic facts about the title scientist's early life and interests before examining the success and significance of each man's key inventions. Well-captioned archival photographs support the texts, enhancing the appeal for young readers. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Biographies titles: Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Learning About Landforms series. Basic facts about geological formations are presented in a straightforward, dry narrative that covers terminology, classification, and features, with brief consideration of the animals, including people, that live in or near them. Diagrams and impressive photos highlighting major examples of the featured landforms, such as Japan's Mount Fuji and Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, add needed interest to the text. Reading list. Glos, ind. Review covers these Learning About Landforms titles: Caves and Volcanoes.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Heroic Jobs series. Disaster and Mountain describe basic rescue operations undertaken by specially trained personnel following natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and avalanches. Special Forces briefly recounts military rescue missions performed by special forces operatives during wars or following acts of terrorism. Clear photographs accompany the large-font, lackluster texts. "Did You Know?" boxes provide additional information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Heroic Jobs titles: Disaster Relief, Special Forces, and Mountain Rescue.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Exercise! series. These two books provide clear explanations of simple exercises to help improve running times (Speed) and increase agility (Flexibility). Double-page spreads feature short, easy-to-read texts, "Mini Challenge" boxes, and a couple of photos of kids stretching, moving, and strengthening. The sections cover appropriate training exercises, some of which are borrowed from other sports (yoga, basketball). Reading list, website. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exercise! titles: Flexibility and Speed.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Exercise! series. These two books provide clear explanations of simple exercises to help improve running times (Speed) and increase agility (Flexibility). Double-page spreads feature short, easy-to-read texts, "Mini Challenge" boxes, and a couple of photos of kids stretching, moving, and strengthening. The sections cover appropriate training exercises, some of which are borrowed from other sports (yoga, basketball). Reading list, website. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exercise! titles: Flexibility and Speed.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Kid Racers series. These books discuss "extreme sports," some of which have participants as young as four years old. Authors describe the activities as well as how kids can get started and then train to be safe while enjoying their chosen sport's thrills. The texts, aimed at reluctant readers, sometimes strain for coolness. Action photos, diagrams, and drawings round out the volumes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Kid Racers titles: Speedboat Racers, Dirt Bike Racers, BMX Racers, Kart Racers, and Snowmobile Racers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Sterling Biographies series. Opinionated yet informative, these latest additions to the series blend anecdotes, quotations, and facts to create engaging portraits of six of America's greatest sports stars. With some of the subject matter overlapping, these biographies focus on their athletes' careers, but also offer insight into the social and political realities of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Photographs and sidebars are incorporated into the reader-friendly designs. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Sterling Biography titles: Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammad Ali.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot