(4) K-3 Let's Read and Talk About... series. Each double-page spread poses a main question, which is answered with several more targeted questions and simple responses. Full-color photos on each page show kids and adults using laptops, cell phones, etc. Boxes suggest activities and topics for discussion. The basic information is audience-appropriate. The term nasty is used frequently--its meaning in this context is open to interpretation. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Anatomy of an Investigation series. After fictional comic book–panel introductions, these two books examine how investigators approach these large-scale events. Chemical discusses clean-up efforts, environmental impact, and future prevention. Computer looks at cyber crime, damage assessment, and data protection. Photographs, diagrams, and text boxes support the very detailed text, though the tiny-size type may be off-putting to some readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) YA World After... series. After a graphic novel–style prologue, this book takes a serious look at the impact and aftermath of a global pandemic. The fairly dense presentation is supported by "Fact or Fiction" and "How Likely Is It?" boxes, relevant sidebars, charts, and captioned photographs. The tiny-size type and cramped page design may be off-putting to some readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jill Leibowitz

(4) K-3 What Grows in My Garden series. These books provide a basic though uninspired introduction to how four familiar food plants grow. Each spread has clear color photos and a few sentences. Topics include what the plant's seeds look like, how the plant grows best, how to harvest the edible part, what kind of food can be prepared with the produce, and different varieties of the plant. Glos. Review covers these What Grows in My Garden titles: Apples Grow on Trees, Carrots Grow Under the Ground, Lettuce Grows on the Ground, and Tomatoes Grow on Vines.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 What Grows in My Garden series. These books provide a basic though uninspired introduction to how four familiar food plants grow. Each spread has clear color photos and a few sentences. Topics include what the plant's seeds look like, how the plant grows best, how to harvest the edible part, what kind of food can be prepared with the produce, and different varieties of the plant. Glos. Review covers these What Grows in My Garden titles: Apples Grow on Trees, Carrots Grow Under the Ground, Lettuce Grows on the Ground, and Tomatoes Grow on Vines.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 What Grows in My Garden series. These books provide a basic though uninspired introduction to how four familiar food plants grow. Each spread has clear color photos and a few sentences. Topics include what the plant's seeds look like, how the plant grows best, how to harvest the edible part, what kind of food can be prepared with the produce, and different varieties of the plant. Glos. Review covers these What Grows in My Garden titles: Apples Grow on Trees, Carrots Grow Under the Ground, Lettuce Grows on the Ground, and Tomatoes Grow on Vines.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 What Grows in My Garden series. These books provide a basic though uninspired introduction to how four familiar food plants grow. Each spread has clear color photos and a few sentences. Topics include what the plant's seeds look like, how the plant grows best, how to harvest the edible part, what kind of food can be prepared with the produce, and different varieties of the plant. Glos. Review covers these What Grows in My Garden titles: Apples Grow on Trees, Carrots Grow Under the Ground, Lettuce Grows on the Ground, and Tomatoes Grow on Vines.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) YA Mapping Global Issues series. This book recounts the history of diseases from the Black Death to various epidemics (smallpox, tuberculosis, malaria, and influenza) to the recent worldwide spread of AIDS. Rooney touches on research related to the prevention, treatment, and cures of old and new ailments. Text boxes, photographs, charts, and maps give additional insight into the readable text, but the dull layout is off-putting. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Teen FAQ series. From psychological bullying to physical abuse to cyberbullying, this book provides a general overview of the various behaviors that fall under the broad topic. First-person accounts help add interest. The staged stock photos are unfortunate. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) YA Place in History series. Archival photographs, maps, and sidebars combine with engaging texts to present thorough histories of the featured sites and landmarks. The chronological unfolding of events, interesting facts, personal accounts, and the current perspective provide well-rounded discussions of the impact and significance of these settings. The cramped design is a drawback. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Place in History titles: The Twin Towers, Hiroshima, Pearl Harbor, The Berlin Wall, Auschwitz, and The Normandy Beaches.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Teen FAQ series. Focusing on fitness, nutrition, and daily routines, this common-sense guide also addresses mental health and considers boys' and girls' particular needs. An advice column provides answers to questions purportedly from real teens. Although few issues are dealt with in sufficient depth, this is an adequate overview of a broad topic. Staged stock photos are unfortunate. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) YA Teen FAQ series. These overviews address the issues surrounding substance use and abuse. All the books acknowledge a social aspect to their topics, and Drugs touches on harmful versus beneficial chemical substances. Sidebars provide anecdotes, and an "Agony Aunt" advice column answers questions purportedly from real teens. The staged stock photos are unfortunate. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Teen FAQ titles: Smoking, Drugs, and Alcohol.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA Cutting-Edge Science series. Both books present basic information about these natural disasters, including explanations of plate tectonics, the categories and causes of each, and historical examples of prominent events. Stock color photographs and diagrams help to illustrate the concepts. Additional information about current scientific research projects and the scientists leading them can be found in the numerous sidebars. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cutting-Edge Science titles: Earthquakes and Volcanoes.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Dates of a Decade series. "March 21, 1960: Massacre at Sharpeville." "February 26, 1996: Pokémon Conquer the World." Text summaries, photographs, and primary source excerpts work together to pique readers' interest in a selection of historic events. An international focus encourages readers to make broad connections, though the pick-and-choose nature of the highlighted events necessitates omitting much contextual information. Glos., ind. Review covers these Dates of a Decade titles: The 1980s, The 1970s, The 1960s, and The 1990s.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA World at Risk series. This series explores a broad range of environmental issues, from climate change to conservation to waste disposal. Numerous photos, diagrams, and graphs add interest to the clearly worded scientific explanations. Social and political factors are covered as well, providing useful material for research and discussion. The content is somewhat repetitive across volumes, and the pages are a little crowded. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World at Risk titles: Water, Feeding the World, Reducing the Carbon Footprint, Climate Change, Resources, and Waste Disposal.

Reviewer: Pamela Mishkin

(4) YA World at Risk series. This series explores a broad range of environmental issues, from climate change to conservation to waste disposal. Numerous photos, diagrams, and graphs add interest to the clearly worded scientific explanations. Social and political factors are covered as well, providing useful material for research and discussion. The content is somewhat repetitive across volumes, and the pages are a little crowded. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World at Risk titles: Water, Feeding the World, Reducing the Carbon Footprint, Climate Change, Resources, and Waste Disposal.

Reviewer: Pamela Mishkin

(4) 4-6 Earth's Final Frontiers series. This brief survey of the solar system provides information about all eight planets, the sun, newly classified Pluto, and other celestial formations. The challenges, history, and future of space exploration as presented in the text are supported by clear satellite images and photographs; the pages are quite crowded. Two "In their own words" sidebars present quotes from JFK and Yuri Gagarin. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) YA Face the Facts series. Drug offers an overview of illegal drug use, reasons for it, and its impact on society. Capital provides historical and cross-cultural perspectives on its subject. Genocide gives examples of mass killings and ostensible justifications for them. The layouts--overcrowded with boxed quotes, photos, and brightly colored backgrounds--overwhelm the sound and authoritative texts. Directory, reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Face the Facts titles: The Drug Trade, Capital Punishment, and Genocide.

Reviewer: Nell Beram