(3) 4-6 Dangerous Jobs in Action series. Simultaneously exciting and sobering, these fast-paced, true-life profiles of people in dangerous careers each begin by summarizing the job, indicating the risks, and presenting basic stats. Chapters then relate the nail-biting stories of people caught in life-threatening situations while performing these jobs; some survive, some do not. Well-chosen color photos and closing discussion questions accompany each entry. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Dangerous Jobs in Action titles: Stunt Performers in Action, Deep-Sea Fishermen in Action, Ice Road Truckers in Action, and Smoke Jumpers in Action.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Total Sports series. These volumes provide broad overviews of the histories, notable teams and coaches, rivalries, star players, etc., of the title sports; most (not Football) include mention of both men's and women's teams. The texts are easy to read if occasionally vague or overgeneralized. Informative sidebars and copious stock photos enhance the presentations for sports fans. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Total Sports titles: Total Lacrosse, Total Basketball, Total Baseball, Total Hockey, Total Soccer, Total Gymnastics, Total Volleyball, and Total Football.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Versus series. Each volume pits a present-day superstar against one from an earlier era. Comparisons include technical skills, statistics and records, and past or potential legacies. Sports fans will appreciate the many action photographs illustrating the choppy but accessible texts; side-by-side charts provide additional data. No attempt is made to name the superior athlete: that decision is left to the reader. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Versus titles: Lionel Messi vs. Pelé, Tiger Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus, Sidney Crosby vs. Wayne Gretzky, LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan, Serena Williams vs. Billie Jean King, and Tom Brady vs. Joe Montana.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Playmakers series. These volumes provide brief profiles of basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, football, and golf standouts. The choppy texts focus on each player's biggest games to date (through early 2017) and impressive statistical accomplishments, while also touching on his or her background and personal life. Color photographs capture the athletic action. "Fun Facts and Quotes" are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Playmakers titles: Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Spieth, Serena Williams, Bryce Harper, Stephen Curry, and Neymar.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Immigrant Experiences series. This series provides general glimpses into many immigrant groups' struggles in the U.S. Each book's vignettes (with direct quotes) on real immigrants striving for citizenship and acceptance in America add intimacy and impact to the presentation; frank discussions of discrimination are included. Photographs extend the narratives. There are four other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Immigrant Experiences titles: Mexican Immigrants, Somali Immigrants, Japanese Immigrants, and German Immigrants.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 In the Driver's Seat series. These books focus on what a young reader might experience while driving the featured vehicle. The second-person narration includes pertinent information about the vehicles; color photos and occasional sidebars support the texts. Safety issues are mentioned occasionally but don't get in the way of the portrayal of how cool it is drive each vehicle. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these In the Driver's Seat titles: Behind the Wheel of a Dirt Bike, Behind the Wheel of a Dragster, Behind the Wheel of a Monster Truck, and Behind the Wheel of a Sports Car.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 In the Driver's Seat series. These books focus on what a young reader might experience while driving the featured vehicle. The second-person narration includes pertinent information about the vehicles; color photos and occasional sidebars support the texts. Safety issues are mentioned occasionally but don't get in the way of the portrayal of how cool it is drive each vehicle. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these In the Driver's Seat titles: Behind the Wheel of a Dirt Bike, Behind the Wheel of a Dragster, Behind the Wheel of a Monster Truck, and Behind the Wheel of a Sports Car.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 In the Driver's Seat series. These books focus on what a young reader might experience while driving the featured vehicle. The second-person narration includes pertinent information about the vehicles; color photos and occasional sidebars support the texts. Safety issues are mentioned occasionally but don't get in the way of the portrayal of how cool it is drive each vehicle. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these In the Driver's Seat titles: Behind the Wheel of a Dirt Bike, Behind the Wheel of a Dragster, Behind the Wheel of a Monster Truck, and Behind the Wheel of a Sports Car.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 In the Driver's Seat series. These books focus on what a young reader might experience while driving the featured vehicle. The second-person narration includes pertinent information about the vehicles; color photos and occasional sidebars support the texts. Safety issues are mentioned occasionally but don't get in the way of the portrayal of how cool it is drive each vehicle. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these In the Driver's Seat titles: Behind the Wheel of a Dirt Bike, Behind the Wheel of a Dragster, Behind the Wheel of a Monster Truck, and Behind the Wheel of a Sports Car.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Insider's Guide to Pro Football series. Geared toward second and third graders, this series presents a brief overview of NFL teams. Following the same format, each book notes the team's history, playing location, key players (past and present), memorable games and seasons, and selected statistics. Although the text of each is lackluster, sports enthusiasts will appreciate the full-page photos of players in action. There are twenty-eight other fall 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Insider's Guide to Pro Football titles: Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 SportsZone: Inside Martial Arts series. Each book in this series presents the history, rules, vocabulary, techniques, and key personalities of its sport. While similarities among these sports exist, the authors emphasize how distinct purposes and procedures make each a unique form of martial arts. Aficionados will appreciate the colorful action photographs and the engaging play-by-play depictions of moves that accompany the readable texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following SportsZone: Inside Martial Arts titles: Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu,Karate, Aikido, Judo, and Mixed Martial Arts.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Major League Baseball's Best Ever series. "Not all thwacks are created equal..." (Hitters). In entertaining prose, these four titles give brief descriptions of pivotal moments or plays, a bit of biography, and some statistical information for the stars they highlight. Each player is shown in two exciting photographs. Some, but not all, of the doping controversies surrounding the players are mentioned. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Major League Baseball's Best Ever titles: The Best MLB Hitters of All Time, The Best MLB Infielders of All Time, The Best MLB Catchers of All Time, and The Best MLB Outfielders of All Time.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 SportsZone: Inside the Speedway series. This series explores four types of auto racing, covering history, characteristics of vehicles used, rules, and other unique qualities of each category. Racing aficionados will find the texts easy to read and will be drawn to the brief action-packed vignettes of outstanding drivers and their records. Well-placed sidebars and numerous color photographs add interest. Reading list. Glos. ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Inside the Speedway titles: IndyCar Racing, Formula One Racing, Nascar Racing, and Drag Racing.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Inside College Football series. These formulaic titles introduce several strong college football programs. Each volume begins with a memorable game then moves to the team's history and remarkable coaches and players. The laudatory series' focus remains on the teams' impressive stats and accolades. The small font and straightforward layout are uninviting, but the books will appeal to college football fans. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside College Football titles: Miami Hurricanes, Clemson Tigers, Arkanasas Razorbacks, and Florida State Seminoles.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 Inside College Football series. These formulaic titles introduce several strong college football programs. Each volume begins with a memorable game then moves to the team's history and remarkable coaches and players. The laudatory series' focus remains on the teams' impressive stats and accolades. The small font and straightforward layout are uninviting, but the books will appeal to college football fans. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside College Football titles: Miami Hurricanes, Clemson Tigers, Arkanasas Razorbacks, and Florida State Seminoles.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 Playmakers series. This series presents athlete biographies for middle-grade readers. Hometowns, family lives, and charitable work are briefly noted, but the dry text mostly highlights players' careers. "Fun Facts and Quotes" offer more personal information: Nowitzki refuses to endorse products to earn extra money; Brady almost always signs autographs when asked. Captioned color photographs add interest. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Playmakers titles: Dirk Nowitzki, Tom Brady, Carmelo Anthony, and Roy Halladay.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 Playmakers series. These volumes provide brief profiles of football and basketball standouts. The choppy texts focus on each player's biggest games and impressive statistical accomplishments, while also touching on his background and personal life, such as Lin's time at Harvard, Tebow's strong Christian beliefs, the Manning family's football legacy, and Durant's 3.0 college GPA. Color photographs capture the athletic action. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Playmakers titles: Tim Tebow, Jeremy Lin, Kevin Durant, and Eli Manning.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 Playmakers series. These volumes provide brief profiles of football and basketball standouts. The choppy texts focus on each player's biggest games and impressive statistical accomplishments, while also touching on his background and personal life, such as Lin's time at Harvard, Tebow's strong Christian beliefs, the Manning family's football legacy, and Durant's 3.0 college GPA. Color photographs capture the athletic action. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Playmakers titles: Tim Tebow, Jeremy Lin, Kevin Durant, and Eli Manning.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan