(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Top Secret Files series. This book describes some lesser-known aspects of the Great War, with emphasis on secret plots and pacts, weapons, spies, and technology. Each topic, mainly illustrated with black-and-white photographs, is briefly covered; fact sidebars and definitions of technical terms provide supplemental information. The last chapter is an unfortunate hodgepodge of topics. Critical thinking questions using the Common Core are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: World Record Breakers series. With a high-energy narrative, this survey of stunts covers a range of death-defying feats, from freefall jumps and trips over Niagara Falls to wire-walking and endurance tests. Sidebars offer quick additional facts and relevant vocabulary definitions, while dynamic photographs round out the presentation. Despite a haphazard organization and layout, this broad overview will intrigue aspiring adrenaline chasers. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Paranormal Handbooks series. Color photographs, drawings, and "Freaky Fact" sidebars accompany serviceable texts offering historical and recent anecdotes of people encountering two types of paranormal phenomena: UFOs and legendary creatures (Bigfoot, Chupacabra, etc.). The authors repeatedly state there is no scientific evidence to prove the creatures' existence but don't question the credibility of the sightings. Comprehension quiz included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: Paranormal Handbooks titles: Handbook to UFOs, Crop Circles, and Alien Encounters and Handbook to Bigfoot, Nessie, and Other Unexplained Creatures.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Monster Handbooks series. In somewhat sensationalized text, each book traces portrayals of the featured creature through history, from ancient belief to modern pop culture. As the titles indicate, both books up the scare-factor by muddying the distinctions of folklore and fact (Zombies to somewhat a lesser extent). Stock photos, historical art, horror movie/TV stills, and cheesy original illustrations accompany the brief chapters. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: Monster Handbooks titles: Zombies and Werewolves.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Velocity: History's Greatest Warriors series. Two ancient warrior cultures are detailed in these volumes. Several short chapters in each book show the weapons, tactics, and societies that made each group unique. A combination of drawings, photos, and art reproductions round out the presentation. The books have a very busy layout with the small explanatory text boxes often making the pages look cluttered. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Velocity: History's Greatest Warriors titles: Vikings and Samurai.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Scientific American series. In clear and sometimes lively prose, these books explain natural phenomena at appropriate introductory levels. Eruptions highlights plate tectonics as causal, with location of the fault or its opening determining the effect. Weather emphasizes air and water as principal weather factors. Captioned photographs and diagrams assist the text.Eruptions contains anecdotal sidebars, while sidebars in Weather include at-home experiments. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Scientific American titles: Volcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis and Weather, and How It Works.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian