(4) 4-6 Disasters--People in Peril series. Illustrated with effective stock photos, these books offer overviews of tragedies that shattered America's sense of security in the 1990s. Relying heavily on popular magazine articles and news websites, the authors recount the immediate mayhem, touch on the aftermaths, and present biographical sketches of the perpetrators. Columbine concludes with gun control arguments; Oklahoma discusses domestic terrorism. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Disasters--People in Peril titles: {cf2]Forty-Nine Minutes of Madness and Homegrown Terror.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Point-Counterpoint series. Sherrow tackles three contentious issues surrounding food safety including use of pesticides, development of genetically modified foods, and regulation of the meat and poultry processing industries. The information, presented from opposing points of view, is current, but the dense, dry writing and textbook-style layout are off-putting. Some sidebars and photographs break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) YA Makers of Modern Science series. These in-depth accounts detail the accomplishments of two pioneering scientists as well as the research fields (immunology and virology, genetics) to which they made major contributions. The texts are dense, but, notably, the books reveal the inner workings of academic science in the twentieth century, where both intense competition and collaboration aided the quest for knowledge. Black-and-white illustrations and photographs are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Makers of Modern Science titles: Jonas Salk and Barbara McClintock.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 National Geographic Investigates series. This series discusses how archaeologists' work helps us learn about ancient cultures. Each volume highlights major sites and finds; the text touches on the impact of modern history (the Iraq war, pollution) on priceless artifacts and discusses controversies (Elgin marbles). Sidebars and well-captioned photos expand on the information, as does an interview with a working archaeologist. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these National Geographic Investigates titles: Ancient Inca, Ancient Iraq, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Africa.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) YA Point-Counterpoint series. Each book in this series argues both sides of a contemporary issue. Women in the Military, for example, includes two chapters on ground combat: one arguing that women shouldn't fight, the other asserting that women have the right to do battle alongside men. Each volume uses personal stories and some photographs to enliven the dense, textbook-style presentation. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Point-Counterpoint titles: Educational Standards, Private Property Rights, and Women in the Military.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Yo solo biografías series. Illustrated by Larry Johnson. Accessible narratives, including anecdotes chosen for their kid appeal, introduce these important (and classroom-friendly) historical figures to young Spanish-language readers. Although some of the illustrations have a static feel, their colorful warmth enhances the text. In each book, a brief afterword is accompanied by a photograph of the subject. Timeline. Review covers these Yo solo biografías titles: George Washington Carver, Pablo Picasso, and Wilma Rudolph.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 History Maker Bios series. The colorful characters featured in this biography series make for lively reading. The texts focus on the path each individual took as they pioneered their way into the history books. Simply designed, the pages include reproductions of period illustrations, portraits, and photos; and somewhat goofy color cartoon illustrations. Timelines punctuate the volumes. There are six other fall 2002 books in this series. Bib., ind. [Review covers these History Maker Bios titles: Davy Crockett, Dolley Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Amelia Earhart, Paul Revere, and Neil Armstrong.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) YA A clearly written profile of Cuba, this book describes the island's eventful history, multiracial culture, controversial politics, unstable economy, and uncertain future. The book's emphasis is on how contemporary Cubans and Americans (including Cuban exiles) view Castro's regime. Balanced and accurate, the book has full-page black-and-white photos and sidebars on noteworthy people and events. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 American Disasters series. Focusing on the epidemic of the early 1950s, the book concisely describes how the disease affected American society as a whole, discusses the experiences of individual polio victims, and explains how Salk's vaccine was developed. However, the volume fails to fully explore the scientific aspects of the disease and its transmission. Historical photographs illustrate the text. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 American Disasters series. The hurried text explains how the abandoned canal in Niagara Falls, New York, came to be a dumping ground for chemical waste, how it negatively affected the health of area residents, and what attempts the Environmental Protection Agency made to remedy the situation. The accompanying grainy color photographs are sometimes generic in nature. A chart listing other international chemical disasters is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Elaine Verstraete. Accurate information, supporting illustrations in soft colors, and helpful chapter divisions headed by dates strengthen this abbreviated account of Bell's life and accomplishments, from his work with the deaf to the telephone. Occasionally the short sentence structure seems unsuited to explain the material. An afterword and a time line extend the information.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Carolrhoda On My Own Books series. Illustrated by Larry Johnson. Though the prose in this easy-to-read biography is uninspired, Rudolph's story isn't. Nearly crippled by polio, Rudolph grew up with her leg in a brace. Through hard work and exercise, she became an Olympic gold-medal-winning runner. Full-color paintings capture the split-second movement of "the fastest woman in the world." An afterword briefly discusses Rudolph's post-running life, and a time line is included.

Reviewer: Amy Timberlake

(4) YA World History series. Tracing the development, deployment, and ramifications of the atom bomb through the historical, political, and scientific imperatives for its creation, this volume will be useful to report writers and for supplemental reading in science and history curricula. The book's textbook-like design includes an elaborate time line and a plethora of informative sidebars and black-and-white photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) 4-6 American Disasters series. These books examine six disasters--three natural and three caused by human intent or neglect--that occurred within the United States during the past decade. The simple texts describe the events, their causes and consequences, how individuals and communities were affected, and what steps have been taken to improve safety in possible future occurrences. The dramatic color photos sometimes lack clarity but won't fail to draw readers. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 American Disasters series. These books examine six disasters--three natural and three caused by human intent or neglect--that occurred within the United States during the past decade. The simple texts describe the events, their causes and consequences, how individuals and communities were affected, and what steps have been taken to improve safety in possible future occurrences. The dramatic color photos sometimes lack clarity but won't fail to draw readers. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 American Disasters series. These books examine six disasters--three natural and three caused by human intent or neglect--that occurred within the United States during the past decade. The simple texts describe the events, their causes and consequences, how individuals and communities were affected, and what steps have been taken to improve safety in possible future occurrences. The dramatic color photos sometimes lack clarity but won't fail to draw readers. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Celebrate the States series. A boon for report writers, these ten volumes dutifully provide information on each state's geography, wildlife, history, government and economy, population, landmarks, tourist attractions, and notable residents. A somewhat dull design incorporates readable texts, colorful tour-book-like photos, maps, charts, and historic reproductions. State facts, state songs, annual celebrations, and "fun facts" are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Shelley Woods

(3) YA Holocaust Library series. Each volume focuses on a different aspect of the Holocaust, providing general historical background as well as personal stories of tragedy and courage. Illustrated with black-and-white archival photographs, the texts are frequently interrupted by information boxes; these sometimes impede the narrative flow but do add important supplementary information. There are three other titles in this series. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 American Disasters series. These books examine six disasters--three natural and three caused by human intent or neglect--that occurred within the United States during the past decade. The simple texts describe the events, their causes and consequences, how individuals and communities were affected, and what steps have been taken to improve safety in possible future occurrences. The dramatic color photos sometimes lack clarity but won't fail to draw readers. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 American Disasters series. These books examine six disasters--three natural and three caused by human intent or neglect--that occurred within the United States during the past decade. The simple texts describe the events, their causes and consequences, how individuals and communities were affected, and what steps have been taken to improve safety in possible future occurrences. The dramatic color photos sometimes lack clarity but won't fail to draw readers. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta