(4) 4-6 Edge Books: World Record Breakers series. A high-energy narrative examines deadly creatures, from aquatic and land-based predators to parasites. Special attention is given to venomous and immensely strong animals, but disease-carriers are presented as the most dangerous. Sidebars offer quick facts and relevant vocabulary definitions, while dynamic photographs round out the presentation. Despite a haphazard organization and layout, this broad overview will intrigue mid-grade predator enthusiasts. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Hero Journals series. Two great military leaders from the ancient world are profiled. Thorough first-person narratives detail their early lives through their rise and fall as generals. The scrapbook layout of maps, illustrations, and photos further supports the journal premise, but the scriptlike font makes reading difficult. A journaling prompt is appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hero Journals titles: Alexander the Great and Hannibal of Carthage.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Velocity: Classified series. After briefly setting the historical context, this book features six profiles of spies operating during World War II, including two women. Archival photos and reproductions (mostly black-and-white) accompany the readable chapters, which sometimes end abruptly. The pages are busy with images, text boxes, keyword definitions, and unnecessary graphics, but this is an accessible glimpse at a high-interest topic. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Science Missions series. Aimed at reluctant readers, this book explains a high-interest subject in straightforward language. Short sections contain a few paragraphs and numbered and bulleted lists. Plentiful pictures, diagrams, and stories of actual cloned domestic and farm animals add interest. Chapters address myths and cloning portrayals in movies and literature. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Edge Books: Truth and Rumors series. Illustrated by Eldon Doty. Did John Quincy Adams give an interview while skinny-dipping? Stories, myths, and rumors surrounding nine United States presidents, from Washington to Carter, are examined in order to test their veracity. Facts are then presented that either confirm or refute the story; readers are encouraged to think critically about sources. Cartoon illustrations further enliven the volume. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward texts touch on important aspects of American history: the hysteria of the 1690s, the excess of the 1920s, the perseverance of the 1930s, the role of investigative reporters in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The choppy writing lacks depth, but photos and archival reproductions support the information. An open, inviting design makes these presentations accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: America Has Fun, Climbing out of the Great Depression, Digging Up Dirt, and Salem Witch Trials.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward texts touch on important periods of American history: the challenges at home and abroad during World War I, the role that art played during WWII, and women's roles during World War II. The writing is choppy and lacks depth; photos and archival reproductions in an open, inviting design make these presentations accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: The Art of War, Rosie the Riveter, and Yanks in World War I.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward text touches on Robinson's troubled youth, military service, and challenging career as the first African American Major League Baseball player. The writing is choppy and lacks depth, but photos and archival reproductions support the information in the text. An open, inviting design makes the presentation accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward texts touch on important aspects of American history: the hysteria of the 1690s, the excess of the 1920s, the perseverance of the 1930s, the role of investigative reporters in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The choppy writing lacks depth, but photos and archival reproductions support the information. An open, inviting design makes these presentations accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: America Has Fun, Climbing out of the Great Depression, Digging Up Dirt, and Salem Witch Trials.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward texts touch on important aspects of American history: the hysteria of the 1690s, the excess of the 1920s, the perseverance of the 1930s, the role of investigative reporters in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The choppy writing lacks depth, but photos and archival reproductions support the information. An open, inviting design makes these presentations accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: America Has Fun, Climbing out of the Great Depression, Digging Up Dirt, and Salem Witch Trials.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward texts touch on important periods of American history: the challenges at home and abroad during World War I, the role that art played during WWII, and women's roles during World War II. The writing is choppy and lacks depth; photos and archival reproductions in an open, inviting design make these presentations accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: The Art of War, Rosie the Riveter, and Yanks in World War I.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward texts touch on important aspects of American history: the hysteria of the 1690s, the excess of the 1920s, the perseverance of the 1930s, the role of investigative reporters in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The choppy writing lacks depth, but photos and archival reproductions support the information. An open, inviting design makes these presentations accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: America Has Fun, Climbing out of the Great Depression, Digging Up Dirt, and Salem Witch Trials.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Simple, straightforward texts touch on important periods of American history: the challenges at home and abroad during World War I, the role that art played during WWII, and women's roles during World War II. The writing is choppy and lacks depth; photos and archival reproductions in an open, inviting design make these presentations accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: The Art of War, Rosie the Riveter, and Yanks in World War I.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(3) YA Junior Drug Awareness series. This series describes the uses and abuses of various narcotics. The reasons people might take drugs, their dangers, signs of addiction, and treatment options are covered. How to Say No provides some useful advice. Overall, the content is reliable and comprehensive. The depth of information and occasional graphic photographs make the series best suited to middle school and up. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Junior Drug Awareness titles: Vicodin, OxyContin, and Other Pain Relievers, Over-the-Counter Drugs, Prozac and Other Antidepressants, How To Say No To Drugs, Nicotine, Alcohol, and Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Covering a wide range of topics--from the pop culture of Route 66 to the creation of the U.S. Constitution--in an open and inviting page design, these books offer glimpses into America's past. The emphasis on visual primary sources (posters, photographs, maps) as well as the easily readable if unexciting text makes the information accessible to struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: How Did This Happen Here?, The Birth of a State, Crooks, Cowboys, and Characters, Designing America, and Route 66.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Fry was an American writer who helped over two thousand people, including artist Marc Chagall, escape from the Nazis and come to the United States. Fry's story is enhanced by some background information, including introductory chapters on Hitler and the Holocaust. Many black-and-white photographs of Fry and other visuals support the text, which is mostly made up of short, choppy sentences. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Covering a wide range of topics--from the pop culture of Route 66 to the creation of the U.S. Constitution--in an open and inviting page design, these books offer glimpses into America's past. The emphasis on visual primary sources (posters, photographs, maps) as well as the easily readable if unexciting text makes the information accessible to struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: How Did This Happen Here?, The Birth of a State, Crooks, Cowboys, and Characters, Designing America, and Route 66.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Covering a wide range of topics--from the pop culture of Route 66 to the creation of the U.S. Constitution--in an open and inviting page design, these books offer glimpses into America's past. The emphasis on visual primary sources (posters, photographs, maps) as well as the easily readable if unexciting text makes the information accessible to struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: How Did This Happen Here?, The Birth of a State, Crooks, Cowboys, and Characters, Designing America, and Route 66.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. Covering a wide range of topics--from the pop culture of Route 66 to the creation of the U.S. Constitution--in an open and inviting page design, these books offer glimpses into America's past. The emphasis on visual primary sources (posters, photographs, maps) as well as the easily readable if unexciting text makes the information accessible to struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: How Did This Happen Here?, The Birth of a State, Crooks, Cowboys, and Characters, Designing America, and Route 66.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) 4-6 American History through Primary Sources series. These books introduce readers to a wide range of popular topics in American history with an emphasis on primary sources such as maps, photographs, and newspaper clippings. Unfortunately, the writing style is inconsistent, making some books more polished than others. Repetitive definitions of challenging words (covered within the text, in a sidebar, and in the glossary) needlessly interrupt the flow. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these American History through Primary Sources titles: Following Freedom, George Washington, Strike It Rich in Cripple Creek, The Dirty Thirties, Rebirth of a People, and Smokestacks and Spinning Jennys.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett