(4) YA History of the World series. These volumes give broad overviews of their topics. So many different peoples and cultures are covered in each book that depth of information is lacking. On most spreads, a short paragraph of main text is accompanied by color illustrations, maps, and photographs, as well as sidebars and more explanatory text, crowding the pages. There are six other fall 2009 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these History of the World titles: The Americas and the Pacific, Ancient Egypt and Greece, Early Medieval Times, Asian Civilizations, Beyond Europe, and Mesopotamia and the Bible Lands.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA History of the World series. These volumes give broad overviews of their topics. So many different peoples and cultures are covered in each book that depth of information is lacking. On most spreads, a short paragraph of main text is accompanied by color illustrations, maps, and photographs, as well as sidebars and more explanatory text, crowding the pages. There are six other fall 2009 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these History of the World titles: The Americas and the Pacific, Ancient Egypt and Greece, Early Medieval Times, Asian Civilizations, Beyond Europe, and Mesopotamia and the Bible Lands.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA History of the World series. These volumes give broad overviews of their topics. So many different peoples and cultures are covered in each book that depth of information is lacking. On most spreads, a short paragraph of main text is accompanied by color illustrations, maps, and photographs, as well as sidebars and more explanatory text, crowding the pages. There are six other fall 2009 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these History of the World titles: The Americas and the Pacific, Ancient Egypt and Greece, Early Medieval Times, Asian Civilizations, Beyond Europe, and Mesopotamia and the Bible Lands.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA What Do You Think? series. This volume considers the question of substance use/abuse by athletes, including such issues as the possibility of accidental doping and whether one rule should apply to all sports; a case study of the Tour de France focuses many of the questions. Though the text isn't nuanced, it effectively models balanced thinking. The pages, including numerous photographs, sidebars, and headings, are busy. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA What Do You Think? series. These books clarify terms, quote some research and opinions on both sides, suggest critical thinking and evaluation skills, and coach readers in debate techniques. Though it's not nuanced or deep, the material reasonably introduces the subjects for beginning debaters. Photographs, charts, sidebars, and numerous headings make pages look busy. Terrorists includes a reading list. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Do You Think? titles: Should We Ever Negotiate with Terrorists? and Do We Have a Right to Privacy?

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 World Cultures series. This book discusses the lives and customs of the Inuit, "people of the far north." Topics include history, home and school life, religious beliefs, recreation, arts and crafts, stories, and music. Instructions for making an inukshuk ("human-shaped column of stones") from small clay moldings are included. The large-font text can be simplistic, but the many photographs are compelling. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Great Cities through the Ages series. Each double-page spread in these visually rich volumes introduces readers to an era or important aspect of the city. The topics include "Victorian London," "The Thames," and "Venice Today," each with its own timeline. The busy collage of pictures and text that forms each page makes it difficult to develop much sense of context. Ind. Review covers these Great Cities through the Ages titles: London and Venice.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Although small maps are integrated into this wide-ranging overview of the Islamic world, this is not an atlas. The book's focus is on history, culture, and traditions rather than geography. Overly busy double-page spreads include photos, illustrations, and reproductions, all of which compete for space with small-print captions and text. Browsers will glean some information on a variety of topics. Ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Landscapes and People series. Each of these straightforward presentations of landforms and habitats begins with a definition of the feature and its formation, moves to examples from around the world, and then discusses wildlife and human interaction with the feature. The concise text is informative, with helpful maps, diagrams, and well-captioned color photos. A "Facts and Figures" section at the end of each book includes statistical information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Landscapes and People titles: Earth's Changing Coasts, Earth's Changing Continents, Earth's Changing Deserts, Earth's Changing Islands, Earth's Changing Mountains, and Earth's Changing Rivers.]

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Landscapes and People series. Each of these straightforward presentations of landforms and habitats begins with a definition of the feature and its formation, moves to examples from around the world, and then discusses wildlife and human interaction with the feature. The concise text is informative, with helpful maps, diagrams, and well-captioned color photos. A "Facts and Figures" section at the end of each book includes statistical information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Landscapes and People titles: Earth's Changing Coasts, Earth's Changing Continents, Earth's Changing Deserts, Earth's Changing Islands, Earth's Changing Mountains, and Earth's Changing Rivers.]

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Landscapes and People series. Each of these straightforward presentations of landforms and habitats begins with a definition of the feature and its formation, moves to examples from around the world, and then discusses wildlife and human interaction with the feature. The concise text is informative, with helpful maps, diagrams, and well-captioned color photos. A "Facts and Figures" section at the end of each book includes statistical information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Landscapes and People titles: Earth's Changing Coasts, Earth's Changing Continents, Earth's Changing Deserts, Earth's Changing Islands, Earth's Changing Mountains, and Earth's Changing Rivers.]

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Landscapes and People series. Each of these straightforward presentations of landforms and habitats begins with a definition of the feature and its formation, moves to examples from around the world, and then discusses wildlife and human interaction with the feature. The concise text is informative, with helpful maps, diagrams, and well-captioned color photos. A "Facts and Figures" section at the end of each book includes statistical information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Landscapes and People titles: Earth's Changing Coasts, Earth's Changing Continents, Earth's Changing Deserts, Earth's Changing Islands, Earth's Changing Mountains, and Earth's Changing Rivers.]

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Landscapes and People series. Each of these straightforward presentations of landforms and habitats begins with a definition of the feature and its formation, moves to examples from around the world, and then discusses wildlife and human interaction with the feature. The concise text is informative, with helpful maps, diagrams, and well-captioned color photos. A "Facts and Figures" section at the end of each book includes statistical information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Landscapes and People titles: Earth's Changing Coasts, Earth's Changing Continents, Earth's Changing Deserts, Earth's Changing Islands, Earth's Changing Mountains, and Earth's Changing Rivers.]

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Landscapes and People series. Each of these straightforward presentations of landforms and habitats begins with a definition of the feature and its formation, moves to examples from around the world, and then discusses wildlife and human interaction with the feature. The concise text is informative, with helpful maps, diagrams, and well-captioned color photos. A "Facts and Figures" section at the end of each book includes statistical information. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Landscapes and People titles: Earth's Changing Coasts, Earth's Changing Continents, Earth's Changing Deserts, Earth's Changing Islands, Earth's Changing Mountains, and Earth's Changing Rivers.]

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Reading this book is like attending a museum exhibit: well-organized divisions, though less sweeping in social coverage than promised, briefly introduce subjects ranging from "the First Dynasties" to "Women." But the remainder of each page is so full of photos and drawings, intelligently captioned, that the details can become overwhelming. Well-chosen and handsomely reproduced artifacts absorb the reader further. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Art and Civilization series. As accurate introductions to the cultures they present, these books may not break new ground, but their production values are excellent and their selections of artifacts and comments on them are thoughtful. Topical instead of linear, the sections are busy but still well organized. Full-color photographs, models, and graphs with accompanying introductions and captions accessibly explain these ancient civilizations. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Unidentified small reproductions add authenticity to this busy volume, which addresses such topics as "Life in the Country," "The German Empire and the Papacy," and "Merchants and Bankers." Each cramped double-page spread contains a paragraph of text and often a modest map, both surrounded by captioned visuals. The information has interest, but a reader old enough to understand these details will probably want more depth. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian