(3) 4-6 Creative Writing in 5 Simple Steps series. Most suitable for upper-elementary and middle-school aspiring authors, this series straightforwardly introduces writing in various genres through chapters on inspiration, preparation, organization, composition, and publication; Graphic Novel includes a chapter on illustration. Readers will find useful starting advice, writing techniques, famous examples of the genre, as well as questions and prompts to foster engagement with their own work. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Creative Writing in 5 Simple Steps titles: Write a Mystery in 5 Simple Steps, Write a Romance in 5 Simple Steps, Write Horror Fiction in 5 Simple Steps, Write Fantasy Fiction in 5 Simple Steps, Write a Graphic Novel in 5 Simple Steps, and Write Science Fiction in 5 Simple Steps.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Historical Fiction Adventures series. In 1773 Boston, seventeen-year-old Oliver Carter is an apothecary for Dr. Benjamin Church. Church sells secrets to the British and places Oliver in grave danger (Liberty's). After Pearl Harbor, twelve-year-old Harry Yakamoto's family is sent to Manzanar. Things are made bearable only by playing baseball (Lucky). Brief historical accounts are appended to the character-driven stories, which tend toward overexplanation. Reading list, websites. Review cover these Historical Fiction Adventures titles: The Lucky Baseball and Liberty's Son.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Historical Fiction Adventures series. The struggle to unionize early-twentieth-century factories is portrayed in this story of a Jewish immigrant family determined to make ends meet. Eleven-year-old Galena and older sister Anya work in deplorable, dangerous conditions. The period's political viewpoints are presented through Galena's perspective, a conceit that doesn't always sound natural. "The Real History Behind the Story" is appended. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 In American History series. These books highlight a pivotal event or period in U.S. history and discuss subsequent implications. The text is supplemented by excerpts from source documents and accompanied by dark black-and-white photos and reproductions. Lack of sufficient background information makes Prohibition and Home Front less effective than Triangle Shirtwaist. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these In American History titles: The Prohibition Era in American History, The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and Sweatshop Reform in American History, and The Home Front during World War II in American History.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 In American History series. These books highlight a pivotal event or period in U.S. history and discuss subsequent implications. The text is supplemented by excerpts from source documents and accompanied by dark black-and-white photos and reproductions. Lack of sufficient background information makes Prohibition and Home Front less effective than Triangle Shirtwaist. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these In American History titles: The Prohibition Era in American History, The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and Sweatshop Reform in American History, and The Home Front during World War II in American History.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 In American History series. Beginning with an account of the 1986 explosion, this book briefly outlines the history of NASA, describes Christa McAuliffe's selection as the first "teacher in space," profiles the astronauts on board, and discusses the results of the official investigation. The clear text is supplemented by excerpts from source documents. The accompanying black-and-white photos are unfortunately dark. A time line is included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta