(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. This volume places young readers at the heart of the events and dilemmas of Columbus's "adventure." Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Columbus's accomplishments and misdeeds are both explored. Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Pop Culture Bios: Action Movie Stars series. Color photographs presented in a scrapbook-like format combine with accessible texts to present chronological biographies of six actors. Early roots, professional challenges and successes, and the breakout popularity from their roles in book-based movie blockbusters provide little new information, but young fans will pore over the well-captioned pictures and abundant trivia facts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pop Culture Bio titles: Zoe Kravitz, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Lautner, Booboo Stewart, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 ShockZone--Villains series. This series presents brief biographical vignettes of some of the world's most notorious villains. The chatty, informal writing style is entertaining, but the gruesome anecdotes and graphic illustrations aren't for the faint-hearted. The authors' selections are largely lesser-known villainous figures (Hitler, Pol Pot, and Henry VIII are not included). Period art, archival photographs, and text boxes fill the pages. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these ShockZone--Villains titles: Merciless Monarchs and Ruthless Royalty, Pirates, Scoundrels, and Scallywags, Lethal Leaders and Military Madmen, Assassins, Traitors, and Spies, Gangsters, Bootleggers, and Bandits, and Outlaws, Gunslingers, and Thieves.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 ShockZone--Deadly and Dangerous series. "Wimps need not apply." Landau profiles twelve highly dangerous occupations, including Alaskan crab fisher, war reporter, bull rider, and race car driver. Each busy double-page spread focuses on a specific job, providing a brief description and emphasizing the inherent dangers. Color photos, captions, text boxes, headers, and the straightforward main text compete for readers' attention. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: How Does Government Work? series. These books provide accessible overviews of the U.S. government. Documents looks at the creation of three essential documents from the late 1700s. The other volumes discuss running for elected office and the three branches of government. Lots of archival illustrations and/or photographs break up the concise, choppily written texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: How Does Government Work? titles: Checks and Balances, Judges and Courts, The President, Vice President, and Cabinet, The Congress, Getting Elected, and Documents of Freedom.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Pop Culture Bios: Super Singers series. These middle-grade biographies provide easy-to-read overviews but little new insight on their pop-singer subjects. The icons' childhood roots, roads to stardom, and current career details are all addressed, while sidebars contain extra facts and definitions (demo; screen test). The gushing slang ("fav"; "adorbs") grows tiresome, though some tweens may disagree; the abundant photos will likely be pored over. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pop Culture Bios: Super Singers titles: Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, One Direction, Selena Gomez, and Taylor Swift.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Best Cats Ever series. Landau describes each breed's characteristics and pros and cons for potential owners. Basic care information (e.g., vet visits) is also provided. The text can go over the top ("The big day is here at last. It just might be the best day of your life. You're picking up your Siamese cat!"), but it's friendly and accessible. Lots of bright photographs are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Best Cats Ever titles: Ragdolls Are the Best!, Persians Are the Best!, and Siamese Are the Best!

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Best Cats Ever series. Landau describes each breed's characteristics and pros and cons for potential owners. Basic care information (e.g., vet visits) is also provided. The text can go over the top ("The big day is here at last. It just might be the best day of your life. You're picking up your Siamese cat!"), but it's friendly and accessible. Lots of bright photographs are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Best Cats Ever titles: Ragdolls Are the Best!, Persians Are the Best!, and Siamese Are the Best!

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 Best Cats Ever series. Landau describes each breed's characteristics and pros and cons for potential owners. Basic care information (e.g., vet visits) is also provided. The text can go over the top ("The big day is here at last. It just might be the best day of your life. You're picking up your Siamese cat!"), but it's friendly and accessible. Lots of bright photographs are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Best Cats Ever titles: Ragdolls Are the Best!, Persians Are the Best!, and Siamese Are the Best!

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Landau provides a blow-by-blow report of the 2010 environmental crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, from the initial explosion on the BP Deepwater Horizon Rig, through the multiple attempts to stop the flow, to the subsequent cleanup and suggestions for preventing future spills. Color photographs and technical diagrams show the effects of the spill and the fix and cleanup efforts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA USA Today Health Reports: Diseases and Disorders series. Six to nine chapters cover the basics: definition, history, symptoms, treatment, and research. The writing is serviceable, but articles, interviews, graphs, and surveys from the archives of USA Today provide real-life context for the scientific information. Occasional boxes present moral and ethical dilemmas for readers to consider. Full-color photographs are generic. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA TODAY Health Reports: Diseases and Disorders titles: Hepatitis, Influenza, and Food Poisoning and Foodborne Diseases.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Ready to Make Music series. Budding musicians contemplating lessons may find these thorough introductions useful in helping to choose which instrument to study. Topics include styles of music and famous virtuosos. In addition, diligent practice is encouraged and useful quizes to determine if the instrument is "right for you" are appended. Many photos of smiling children and professional players are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Ready to Make Music titles: Is the Flute for You?, Is the Guitar for You?, Is the Trumpet for You?, and Is the Violin for You?

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Ready to Make Music series. Budding musicians contemplating lessons may find these thorough introductions useful in helping to choose which instrument to study. Topics include styles of music and famous virtuosos. In addition, diligent practice is encouraged and useful quizes to determine if the instrument is "right for you" are appended. Many photos of smiling children and professional players are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Ready to Make Music titles: Is the Flute for You?, Is the Guitar for You?, Is the Trumpet for You?, and Is the Violin for You?

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Ready to Make Music series. Budding musicians contemplating lessons may find these thorough introductions useful in helping to choose which instrument to study. Topics include styles of music and famous virtuosos. In addition, diligent practice is encouraged and useful quizes to determine if the instrument is "right for you" are appended. Many photos of smiling children and professional players are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Ready to Make Music titles: Is the Flute for You?, Is the Guitar for You?, Is the Trumpet for You?, and Is the Violin for You?

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Ready to Make Music series. Budding musicians contemplating lessons may find these thorough introductions useful in helping to choose which instrument to study. Topics include styles of music and famous virtuosos. In addition, diligent practice is encouraged and useful quizes to determine if the instrument is "right for you" are appended. Many photos of smiling children and professional players are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Ready to Make Music titles: Is the Flute for You?, Is the Guitar for You?, Is the Trumpet for You?, and Is the Violin for You?

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Animals of the Snow and Ice series. Landau provides simple, engaging texts about unique animals that live in extremely cold climates. After discussing details of the creatures' life cycles and characteristics, the texts explore possible threats to their habitats and efforts to preserve their populations in the wild. Up-close photographs of the creatures in their scenic environments are highlights of the volumes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals of the Snow and Ice titles: Beluga Whales, Harp Seals, Polar Bears, and Snow Leopards.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang