(4) K-3 Bolt: Gearhead Garage series. Action-packed color photographs, diagrams, and charts are the focus of these minimal-text introductions to different engine-powered racing vehicles. Each book consists of four brief chapters discussing topics such as the vehicle's history, external features, statistics, race venues, safety gear, and projections about the vehicle's future. Oddly, little information is provided about interior features or how the vehicles run. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bolt: Gearhead Garage titles: Dirt Bikes, Funny Cars, Lowriders, Muscle Cars, Top Fuel Dragsters, and Hydroplanes.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Spark of Invention series. These books examine the history and technological underpinnings of these modern machines. Each volume hits on a few key people and events critical to the creation of the technology as well as to the products' broad popularity. The books are quite short, though, and don't provide much more than basic information about these technologies. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Spark of Invention titles: Inventing the Internet, Inventing the Television, Inventing the Cell Phone, and Inventing the Hybrid Car.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Women in STEM series. Each volume includes descriptions of careers women have pursued within broad scientific fields; bios of historic pioneers, contemporary industry superstars, and regular people; and profiles of programs for girls in STEM. Copious photographs of women and girls involved in scientific pursuits are included, along with direct quotes from the profiled scientists; nonfiction literacy activities and prompts connect to the Common Core. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Women in STEM titles: Women in Computer Science, Women in Earth and Space Exploration, Women in Engineering, cf2]Women in Medicine, Women in Conservation, and Women in Physical Science.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Alternative Energy series. This series covers energy sources that are alternatives to fossil fuels. Each volume describes historical uses of the resource, explains the technologies that harness the resources, and touches on current and future uses. Participatory sections (labeled "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think") emphasize nonfiction literacy practices but are sometimes weakly related. Stock photographs and diagrams help clarify information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternative Energy titles: Biofuels, Solar Energy, Hydroelectric Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Nuclear Energy, Ocean Energy, and Wind Energy.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford