(3) YA Ecological Disasters series. Contemporary threats to ecological systems and to the health of people, plants, and animals include natural disasters and human production of waste. These books delve deep into related science and technologies, each issue's history, and ethical considerations. Descriptions of attempts to mitigate a problem; quotes from experts; and helpful photographs, diagrams, and sidebars reinforce each problem's severity. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Ecological Disasters titles: E-Waste, Melting Arctic Ice, The California Drought, and The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Ecological Disasters series. Contemporary threats to ecological systems and to the health of people, plants, and animals include natural disasters and human production of waste. These books delve deep into related science and technologies, each issue's history, and ethical considerations. Descriptions of attempts to mitigate a problem; quotes from experts; and helpful photographs, diagrams, and sidebars reinforce each problem's severity. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Ecological Disasters titles: E-Waste, Melting Arctic Ice, The California Drought, and The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Conservation Success Stories series. Each in-depth volume examines conservation issues in a major habitat, focusing on topics such as deforestation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change, as well as scientific and legal efforts to restore and revitalize plant and animal populations. Full-page "Science Connection" inserts touch on related background science. Large photographs clearly show humans' impact on the environment. A cause-and-effect diagram is appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Conservation Success Stories titles: Bringing Back Our Freshwater Lakes, Bringing Back Our Oceans, Bringing Back Our Tropical Forests, Bringing Back Our Deserts, Bringing Back Our Wetlands, and Bringing Back Our Tundra.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA America's Great Political Families series. This well-written, thoroughly researched series delves into the lives and careers of presidential families, providing in-depth looks at multiple family members. From family histories and drama to political scandals, criticisms, and maneuvers, each subject is explored in a clear, objective, and engaging way. Each volume includes archival photos, a family tree, and appended "fun facts." Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following America's Great Political Families titles: The Kennedys, The Roosevelts, The Bushes, and The Clintons.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Growing Green series. This series for upper-middle grades focusing on "green" food and farming practices that have gained popularity covers what has sparked each movement, what its health and environmental benefits are, and what some of its challenges are. Supplemental text boxes of related information may provide interest but make for choppy reading; appropriate color photos illustrate the texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Growing Green titles: Organic Foods, Urban Gardening, Free-Range Farming, and Eating Local.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) YA Essential Library of the Information Age series. Who owns and can regulate the internet? How has social networking affected privacy? How can kids evaluate the legitimacy of what they read? These questions and more are examined in this series that addresses weighty issues raised by internet technologies of our information age. Color photos and informative sidebars complement the straightforward and balanced narratives. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Essential Library of the Information Age titles: Big Data and Privacy Rights, Net Neutrality, Content Ownership and Copyright, Book Banning and Other Forms of Censorship, Information Literacy in the Digital Age, and Online Identity.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) YA Essential Library of the Information Age series. Who owns and can regulate the internet? How has social networking affected privacy? How can kids evaluate the legitimacy of what they read? These questions and more are examined in this series that addresses weighty issues raised by internet technologies of our information age. Color photos and informative sidebars complement the straightforward and balanced narratives. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Essential Library of the Information Age titles: Big Data and Privacy Rights, Net Neutrality, Content Ownership and Copyright, Book Banning and Other Forms of Censorship, Information Literacy in the Digital Age, and Online Identity.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) YA Essential Library of Inventions series. These books focus on pivotal inventions as historical events, examining why each was created and what preceded it; how each has changed life today; and how it will evolve. Supplemented with excellent photos, archival images, and diagrams, the well-written narratives also clearly explain the technology of each invention. There are three other fall 2015 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Library of Inventions titles: How the Light Bulb Changed History, How the Refrigerator Changed History, How the Internet Changed History, How the Toilet Changed History, and How the Printing Press Changed History.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Essential Issues series. Chapters explore the problem of bullying in schools and cyberspace including the distinction between the bullied, the bully, and the bystander; laws regarding bullying; and the action young people can take to address the issue. Stock photographs (a few melodramatically staged) and sidebars break up the otherwise uninspired page layout. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) YA Essential Library of Social Change series. Beginning with a landmark case, this well-organized, thorough account explores the ideology, key figures, and events that helped to change laws and attitudes concerning animal welfare. Stock photographs combine with a dry text to present the history and future of the animal rights movement, while sidebars and a "Voices of the Movement" feature add context. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale