(4) YA Drug Dangers series. Five text-heavy chapters outline each drug's current popularity, its negative effects, and treatment for and prevention of abuse, using charts, photographs, and sidebars for emphasis. Legalization of medical and recreational marijuana is mentioned only briefly in Marijuana. Alcohol is dense with statistics and studies, while Heroin and Painkillers overlap a great deal. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Drug Dangers titles: The Dangers of Heroin, The Dangers of Marijuana, The Dangers of Alcohol, and The Dangers of Painkillers.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Drug Dangers series. Five text-heavy chapters outline each drug's current popularity, its negative effects, and treatment for and prevention of abuse, using charts, photographs, and sidebars for emphasis. Legalization of medical and recreational marijuana is mentioned only briefly in Marijuana. Alcohol is dense with statistics and studies, while Heroin and Painkillers overlap a great deal. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Drug Dangers titles: The Dangers of Heroin, The Dangers of Marijuana, The Dangers of Alcohol, and The Dangers of Painkillers.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Digital Issues series. Although the surveys, statistics, and other data will soon be dated, this series is a thorough look at serious concerns of our digital world, from hacking to violent video games to overreliance on social media. Many of the topics overlap and are covered by more than one title. Text boxes, quotations, and stock photos help to break up the dense texts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Digital Issues titles: Online Predators, Online Security, Online Addiction, Online Entertainment, Online Privacy, and Social Media.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Digital Issues series. Although the surveys, statistics, and other data will soon be dated, this series is a thorough look at serious concerns of our digital world, from hacking to violent video games to overreliance on social media. Many of the topics overlap and are covered by more than one title. Text boxes, quotations, and stock photos help to break up the dense texts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Digital Issues titles: Online Predators, Online Security, Online Addiction, Online Entertainment, Online Privacy, and Social Media.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Matters of Opinion series. This book examines three smoking-related issues: the rights of smokers, whether smoking should be banned, and whether tobacco companies are responsible for related health problems. In addition to pros and cons of each and a final writing assignment, two debate techniques--"slippery slope" and testimonials--are also analyzed. Sidebars and captioned photos support the choppy text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Inside Science series. This volume explores past discoveries and ongoing questions about space. Chapters are organized by devises used to understand our galaxy and beyond: space probes and robots, manned exploration (especially the International Space Station), and powerful telescopes. A final chapter presents future possibilities. This entry is more abstract than other volumes in the series, but aspiring astronauts will be engaged. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Library of Ghosts & Hauntings series. These volumes, many of which overlap with one another, tackle paranormal topics. Each book includes five chapters that define the subject, describe historical and contemporary examples, and examine their veracity. Though the texts claim that nothing is proven, the writing does take belief for granted ("Ghosts have other reasons to linger"). Many photographs, some graphic, illustrate the texts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Library of Ghosts & Hauntings titles: Communication with the Dead, Ghost Hunters, Poltergeists, Ghosts, and Hauntings.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA In Controversy series. This volume matter-of-factly discusses arguments for and against the death penalty. The main focus is whether capital punishment actually deters crime; moral, social, and economic issues that are part of the larger debate about capital punishment are briefly discussed. The dense text is accompanied by relevant photos, diagrams, sidebars, pull-quotes, and a list of organizations to contact. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Crime Scene Investigations series. This series examines the skills, resources, technologies, and determination needed to solve crime, with an emphasis on the collaborative efforts between law-enforcement agents and forensic scientists, when applicable. Sidebars and photographs shed light on evidence gathering and interpretation, notable cases, career information, and statistics. The writing is dense, but readers interested in criminal justice will appreciate the level of detail. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Crime Scene Investigations titles: Poisoning, The O. J. Simpson Murder Trial, Computer Hacking, and The Case of the Zodiac Killer.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Kidhaven Science Library series. This book is an adequate resource for reports about and/or personal interest in our planet. Lots of color photographs and diagrams support the accessible text. Topics explored include continental drift, plate tectonics, earthquakes, various land forms, and the work of geologists. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 4-6 Kidhaven Science Library series. These books are adequate resources for reports and/or personal interest. Plenty of color photographs and diagrams support the accessible texts. Each book presents scientific history and theories, known facts, and exploration. One caveat: Sun's discussion of solar eclipses doesn't caution against looking directly at the event. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Kidhaven Science Library titles: The Moon and The Sun.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Our Environment series. These four titles discuss human interference with the ecosystem due to dam building, slash-and-burn farming, pesticide and herbicide use, and pollution of the waterways. Helpful background and history of the issues is included. The photos are useful, but their captions do not always extend the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our Environment titles: Dams and Levees, Rain Forests, Pesticides, and Water Pollution.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey