(3) K-3 Illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye. This book provides a well-researched and accessible history of Halloween customs and celebrations, from the ancient Romans and Celts to the modern day. Halloween-themed jokes and riddles are interspersed throughout, and a chapter on party tips and ideas adds to the fun. A list of safety rules is appended.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye. Groundhogs have reached near star status, and this book explains why. The origins of the critter's supposed forecasting abilities, the reason for seasons, celebrations around the country, corny riddles, and facts about hibernation fill the text-heavy pages with more than most people want to know. Whimsical illustrations help to pace the information.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. For readers too old for Shea's First Flight and too young for Freedman's The Wright Brothers, this text's simple sentences and familiar language, which trace the brothers' journey from inventive boys to aeronautical engineers, are appropriate for an early chapter book. Impressionistic scenes temper the matter-of-fact text by celebrating the majesty of flight. A timeline, source notes, and reading list are included. Ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2002

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These books present informative looks at eight American figures. For the most part, the authors dispell myths and discuss each subject's flaws as well as strengths--Billy the Kid and Mary Todd Lincoln are most successful at this, Custer is less well rounded. Black-and-white archival photos, illustrations, maps, and sidebars help to establish time and place. A chronology is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. The final chapter of each book, titled "Legacy," provides a good summation of each president's life and political career, but the preceding chapters lack vigor, typified by an undramatic description of Kennedy's assassination and Johnson's sudden assumption of the presidency. The books are illustrated with interesting source documents and too-dark black-and-white photographs. Chronologies are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta