(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) YA In this final book in this trilogy, the ragtag band of humans, clones, and cyborgs are concluding their fight against oppression both on the battlefield and in the courtroom. At the novel's core are discussions of what constitutes life and what it means to be human. With actions echoing the civil rights movement this thrilling adventure puts a futuristic spin on an age-old issue.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(2) YA Illustrated by Randy DuBurke. This enticing historical-fiction graphic novel reminds readers that not all cowboys were white. Born a slave in 1854 Tennessee, Nat Love gains his freedom, then gains respect and acceptance as a cowboy. While the story integrates maps, letters, and longer stretches of prose, the book knows when to rely on the power of image to move the story forward.

Reviewer: Robin Brenner | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2012

(3) YA In this follow-up to The Clone Codes, teen "cyborg kid" Houston Ye and his allies, including "illegal" clone Leanna, revolt against their oppressive society. Social-reform-minded readers will be gratified to recognize that some of their actions echo the U.S. civil rights movement. Houston and Leanna continue to be compelling, sympathetic characters surrounded by action-packed events.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA In 2170, America has a new slave class: clones. Thirteen-year-old Leanna begins to question this order when her mother is arrested as part of a "terrorist" organization promoting clone rights. Obvious historical parallels are heavy-handed and sometimes supersede the logic of the authors' future world, but the action-filled plot and sympathetic characters make this parable readily accessible.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) K-3 Counting in the Biomes series. Readers count from one to ten as they learn about the different flora and fauna of each biome. Left-hand pages feature a question and its answer in large type (e.g., "How many moose do you see? One") followed by brief paragraphs of informative but dull text. Opposite are photographs for counting, though some confusingly contain more of the specific item than indicated. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Counting in the Biomes titles: Counting in the Ocean and Counting in the Taiga.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Holidays--Count and Celebrate! series. In a counting book format, brightly colored photographs (occasionally repetitive) and brief texts introduce the customs and symbols of Ramadan or Christmas. Each double-page spread prompts readers to count something in an accompanying photograph; the choppy text provides some information about the photo subject. Both books offer an accessible way to learn about holidays. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Holidays--Count and Celebrate! titles: Christmas--Count and Celebrate! and Ramadan--Count and Celebrate!.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Holidays--Count and Celebrate! series. In a counting book format, brightly colored photographs (occasionally repetitive) and brief texts introduce a holiday's customs and symbols. Each double-page spread prompts readers to count something in an accompanying photograph; the choppy texts provide some information about the photo subject. This series offers an accessible way to learn about holidays. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Holidays--Count and Celebrate! titles: Chinese New Year--Count and Celebrate!, Cinco de Mayo--Count and Celebrate!, Kwanzaa--Count and Celebrate!, and Martin Lither King, Jr. Day--Count and Celebrate!.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Counting in the Biomes series. Readers count from one to ten as they learn about the different flora and fauna of each biome. Left-hand pages feature a question and its answer in large type (e.g., "How many moose do you see? One") followed by brief paragraphs of informative but dull text. Opposite are photographs for counting, though some confusingly contain more of the specific item than indicated. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Counting in the Biomes titles: Counting in the Ocean and Counting in the Taiga.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Holidays--Count and Celebrate! series. In a counting book format, brightly colored photographs (occasionally repetitive) and brief texts introduce the customs and symbols of Ramadan or Christmas. Each double-page spread prompts readers to count something in an accompanying photograph; the choppy text provides some information about the photo subject. Both books offer an accessible way to learn about holidays. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Holidays--Count and Celebrate! titles: Christmas--Count and Celebrate! and Ramadan--Count and Celebrate!.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Holidays--Count and Celebrate! series. In a counting book format, brightly colored photographs (occasionally repetitive) and brief texts introduce a holiday's customs and symbols. Each double-page spread prompts readers to count something in an accompanying photograph; the choppy texts provide some information about the photo subject. This series offers an accessible way to learn about holidays. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Holidays--Count and Celebrate! titles: Chinese New Year--Count and Celebrate!, Cinco de Mayo--Count and Celebrate!, Kwanzaa--Count and Celebrate!, and Martin Lither King, Jr. Day--Count and Celebrate!.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Holidays--Count and Celebrate! series. In a counting book format, brightly colored photographs (occasionally repetitive) and brief texts introduce a holiday's customs and symbols. Each double-page spread prompts readers to count something in an accompanying photograph; the choppy texts provide some information about the photo subject. This series offers an accessible way to learn about holidays. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Holidays--Count and Celebrate! titles: Chinese New Year--Count and Celebrate!, Cinco de Mayo--Count and Celebrate!, Kwanzaa--Count and Celebrate!, and Martin Lither King, Jr. Day--Count and Celebrate!.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Holidays--Count and Celebrate! series. In a counting book format, brightly colored photographs (occasionally repetitive) and brief texts introduce a holiday's customs and symbols. Each double-page spread prompts readers to count something in an accompanying photograph; the choppy texts provide some information about the photo subject. This series offers an accessible way to learn about holidays. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Holidays--Count and Celebrate! titles: Chinese New Year--Count and Celebrate!, Cinco de Mayo--Count and Celebrate!, Kwanzaa--Count and Celebrate!, and Martin Lither King, Jr. Day--Count and Celebrate!.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) YA "You're a little undersized...but you've got football smarts." Constantly reminded of his shortcomings by coaches and friends, sophomore Jomo Rodgers decides to enhance his size and performance through steroids. As his physique grows, so does the rage within him. Sharp dialogue, authentic characters, and engaging relationships elevate this cautionary tale of an athlete spiraling out of control.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 Counting in the Biomes series. Readers count from one to ten as they learn about the different flora and fauna of each biome. Left-hand pages feature a question and its answer in large type (e.g., "How many ostriches do you see? Nine") followed by one or two paragraphs of informative, though dull, text. Opposite are photographs for counting. Further information is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Counting in the Biomes titles: Counting in the Desert and Counting in the Tundra.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger