(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gina Capaldi. This picture book adaptation of three of Zitkala-Ša's semiautobiographical stories (published in the early 1900s) begins with the Native American girl's 1884 enrollment in a Quaker-run boarding school. Music, along with oratory skills, rekindled her ancestral spirit and prompted a life devoted to Native American rights. Sheet music, maps, and photographs are thoughtfully incorporated into the acrylic illustrations in this emotion-stirring biography. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. These books present descriptions, histories, personal anecdotes, and, in Curses, cross-cultural variations on the title topic in four brief chapters. Stock photos and illustrations--some adequate, some cheesy, some unhelpful--break up the texts. Although a few sidebars and photo captions offer alternative explanations for strange occurrences, the texts tend to present the supernatural as fact. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Curses and Ghost Hunters.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. Five chapters--from "Peering into the Future" to "Failed Prophecies"--discuss the history of future-telling. The Bible, Nostradamus, and modern-day sources are included, along with any basis in fact (or not). Photos, illustrations, pull-quotes, and sidebars break up the dense text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA Technology 360 series. After presenting the early history of artificial intelligence, Pearce provides thoughtful discussions of the appeal, markets, new developments, risks, and social implications of AI; for example, nanobots to destroy cancer cells or threats to humans from robotic advances. The book is as up-to-date as is possible for print. Photos, sidebars, and other visuals, as well as documented quotations, strengthen the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. This volume presents background, descriptions, and personal anecdotes about purported encounters with the "Mothman," first sighted in West Virginia. Sidebars addressing alternative explanations may satisfy skeptics, though the text does tend to present the supernatural as fact. Many stock photos and illustrations (some are filler) break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. These volumes include background about the title mythological creatures, including appearances in folklore, fine arts, literature, film, and video games. Illustrations ranging from historical artifacts and paintings to movie stills and book covers add interest to the somewhat dry writing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monsters titles: Genies and The Furies.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. These books present descriptions, histories, personal anecdotes, and in some cases cross-cultural variations on the title topics in three or four digestible chapters. Stock photos and illustrations--some adequate, some cheesy, some unhelpful--break up the texts. Although a few sidebars offer alternative explanations for strange occurrences, the texts tend to present the supernatural as fact. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Time Travel, Burial Grounds, La Llorona, Stonehenge, and The Dover Demon.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. These books present descriptions, histories, personal anecdotes, and in some cases cross-cultural variations on the title topics in three or four digestible chapters. Stock photos and illustrations--some adequate, some cheesy, some unhelpful--break up the texts. Although a few sidebars offer alternative explanations for strange occurrences, the texts tend to present the supernatural as fact. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Time Travel, Burial Grounds, La Llorona, Stonehenge, and The Dover Demon.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. Profiling two young Canadians, these inspiring if preachy biographies present challenging social issues (child labor and homelessness) through real-life tales of childhood activism. Both Kielburger and Taylor were spurred by personal experiences, and these books emphasize how individual action can lead to worldwide change. Suggestions are included for how readers can get involved with these causes in their own communities. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Heroes titles: Craig Kielburger and Hannah Taylor.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. Each book introduces background myths and contemporary examples of the title creature, providing an overview of how stories have changed over time. Despite the volumes' dry writing, fans of Riordan's Percy Jackson books or similar adventures may enjoy learning more about mythical creatures. Photographs and illustrations enliven the texts. All but Pegasus includes website resources. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monsters titles: Phoenix, Hydra, Pegasus, and Cerberus.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. This accessible and inspiring (if preachy) biography describes how Hunter, a teenager, became motivated to fight modern-day slavery around the world. The volume effectively emphasizes that individual action can lead to global change. Suggestions are included for how readers can get involved in their own communities to help eradicate modern-day slavery (e.g., organize a vigil, buy Fair Trade products). Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. This series highlights teenagers (now young adults) who have made a difference, either by starting their own charitable organizations (Shuyler and Dalio) or by supporting a cause (Hill and Kachepa). The books explore such topics as childhood influences and steps toward activism. The writing is choppy, but readers may be inspired by the stories. Photographs break up the dense pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Heroes titles: Ashley Shuyler, Julia Butterfly Hill, Given Kachepa, and Matt Dalio.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby