(3) YA Digging Up the Past series. Archaeological sites and finds are explored in this series, which touches on scientific, cultural, legal, and political implications of the discoveries; research; and preservation. Sidebars expand the thorough main text, while ample photographs of excavations and artifacts will spur the curiosity of readers with interest in ancient civilizations or archaeology. Solid bases for further study. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Digging Up the Past titles: Chaco Canyon, �-tzi the Iceman, Machu Picchu, and King Tut's Tomb.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Our Great States series. Culture oversimplifies a complex, multifaceted topic; Reconstruction does a better job (superficially) outlining events and influences on post–Civil War United States. Both books suffer from choppily written texts ("White people owned the slaves. Slaves were considered property"); colorized archival illustrations, photos, and sidebars supplement the information. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these African-American History titles: African-American Culture and The Reconstruction Era.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Wild Canine Pups series. Each workmanlike volume offers an overview of the titular wild canine species, covering habitat, diet, pack life, etc., with a focus on the birth and development of pups/kits. Though somewhat stiffly written, the books provide basic information; some text is repeated across volumes. Crisp, close-up stock photos in full color portray the cute pups and formidable adults. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Wild Canine Pups series. Each workmanlike volume offers an overview of the titular wild canine species, covering habitat, diet, pack life, etc., with a focus on the birth and development of pups/kits. Though somewhat stiffly written, the books provide basic information; some text is repeated across volumes. Crisp, close-up stock photos in full color portray the cute pups and formidable adults. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Fashion Craft Studio series. Middle-graders and tweens drawn to these craft books may find inspiration for creating their own fashionable clothes, shoes, and nail designs. The books’ step-by-step instructions for projects occasionally seem incomplete, and at times adult help may be needed. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Snap Books: Fashion Craft Studio titles: Cute Clothes for the Crafty Fashionista, Creative Nail Art for the Crafty Fashionista, and Stylish Shoes for the Crafty Fashionista.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Fashion Craft Studio series. Middle-graders and tweens drawn to these craft books may find inspiration for creating their own fashionable clothes, shoes, and nail designs. The books’ step-by-step instructions for projects occasionally seem incomplete, and at times adult help may be needed. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Snap Books: Fashion Craft Studio titles: Cute Clothes for the Crafty Fashionista, Creative Nail Art for the Crafty Fashionista, and Stylish Shoes for the Crafty Fashionista.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Predator vs. Prey series. The struggle between polar bear and seal is described in clear language and illustrated with engaging color photographs. Meinking's careful choices about which details of the animals' anatomy are aids or liabilities in terms of hunting or escaping are parceled out at a pace that will keep readers with a bloodlust on the edges of their seats. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Predator vs. Prey series. The struggle between predator crocodile and its wildebeest prey is described in clear language and illustrated with engaging color photographs. Meinking's careful choices about which parts of the animals' anatomy are aids or liabilities in terms of hunting or defense are parceled out at a pace that will keep readers with a bloodlust on the edges of their seats. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) YA Tobacco: The Deadly Drug series. With a fair amount of overlapping information, these books address less familiar tobacco-related issues, such as conflicting economic interests (tax revenue versus healthcare costs), fires, pollution, and secondhand smoke. The straightforward texts are accompanied by an onslaught of statistics and other facts and photos of teens and adults engaged in smoking. Hokey cartoon illustrations are distracting. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Tobacco: The Deadly Drug titles: Putting Out the Fire, Cash Crop to Cash Cow, and Burning Money.

Reviewer: Claudia Harrington DeShay

(3) 4-6 Snap Books: Origami series. Each volume includes easy-to-follow instructions and clear photos for creating several different origami projects. The books progress in difficulty, with Not-Quite-So-Easy offering simpler projects than Sort-of-Difficult. Both titles include folding techniques and origami "fun facts." Projects are suitable for children with some origami experience. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Snap Books: Origami titles: Sort-of-Difficult Origami and Not-Quite-So-Easy Origami.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey