(3) YA Pivotal Moments in History series. Each volume details an important turning point in ancient history. Sure to satisfy history buffs, the books not only relate facts about the specific topics but also delve into the events leading up to those points as well as exploring their effects throughout history. Numerous sidebars, illustrations, maps, and art reproductions provide additional information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Pivotal Moments in History titles: The Conquests of Alexander the Great, Marco Polo's Journey to China, The Signing of the Magna Carta, and The Fall of the Roman Empire.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Dictatorships series. This book gives thorough background information about Cuba before exploring in greater depth how Castro assumed and held power and examining more specific details about his regime. Though the text is dense, readers will be drawn to the bold, blocky design that includes well-placed sidebars and photographs. Thorough backmatter includes a "Who's Who?" Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) 4-6 Visual Geography series. Color photographs, maps, and sidebars combine with a dry but informative text to provide comprehensive studies of the geography, history, government, people, culture, and economy of the featured countries. These books are intended to be used with a designated website with up-to-date information for the report-driven reader. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Visual Geography titles: Guatemala in Pictures, Peru in Pictures, and Colombia in Pictures.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Passport to History series. With its modern-day tourist-guide tone, this compendium focusing on the 1800s American West is amusing and informative. Small cartoon figures of pioneer women, miners, and Native American women--all wearing sunglasses--accompany short, sometimes humorous trivia, but the paintings and photographs of the time are more useful sources of information. Pronunciation guide, reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Passport to History series. With a contemporary tourist-guide tone, these books on ancient civilizations are generally amusing and informative. Accompanying sometimes humorous boxed trivia are cartoon figures dressed in ancient garb and wearing sunglasses, which detract from the useful photos of artifacts. Pronunciation guide, reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Passport to History titles: Your Travel Guide to Ancient Rome and Your Travel Guide to Ancient Israel.]

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Though the prose is more competent than inspired, the biographies of this diverse group of notables adequately traces their personal and professional achievements. Occasional information boxes contain material that supplements the texts, which are illustrated with black-and-white (and occasional color) photos and reproductions. Both Hendrix and Latifah include discographies. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta