(4) 4-6 Kids & Obesity series. This series presents information about obesity and its dangers. Two icons--a hamburger and a heart--provide statistics about nutrition and medical terms. The pages are cramped with generic photos, graphs, charts, and the occasional personal narrative. Although data is repeated throughout the series, the underlying position that "good health never goes out of style" and the advice about self-confidence are constructive. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Kids & Obesity titles: Getting Stronger, Getting Fit, The Truth About Diets, At Home in Your Body, and I Eat When I'm Sad.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) 4-6 Kids & Obesity series. This series presents information about obesity and its dangers. Two icons--a hamburger and a heart--provide statistics about nutrition and medical terms. The pages are cramped with generic photos, graphs, charts, and the occasional personal narrative. Although data is repeated throughout the series, the underlying position that "good health never goes out of style" and the advice about self-confidence are constructive. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Kids & Obesity titles: Getting Stronger, Getting Fit, The Truth About Diets, At Home in Your Body, and I Eat When I'm Sad.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) YA Junior Library of Money series. Offering a clear, accurate introduction to the basics of finance, these books cover topics from check-writing to bull and bear markets. The texts are conversational without being condescending. Practical examples, such as hidden costs of renting an apartment, enhance accessibility. Numerous illustrations and diagrams enliven the text but contribute to cluttered pages, and there are occasional typos. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Junior Library of Money titles: Banking Basics, All About Money, Cost of Living, Investing Money, and Understanding the Stock Market.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Changing Face of Modern Families series. These well-meaning but bland volumes attempt to debunk the myth of a standardized American family, focusing on such issues as adoption, gay parents, and interfaith and mixed-race marriages. Facts and opinions are provided from various professionals in addition to individuals' personal accounts. "What Do You Think?" questions invite discussion. There are eight other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, website. Bib., ind. Review covers these Changing Face of Modern Families titles: Gay & Lesbian Parents, Multiracial Families, Adoptive Parents, Blended Families, Teen Parents, and What Is a Family?

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Changing Face of Modern Families series. These well-meaning but bland volumes attempt to debunk the myth of a standardized American family, focusing on such issues as adoption, gay parents, and interfaith and mixed-race marriages. Facts and opinions are provided from various professionals in addition to individuals' personal accounts. "What Do You Think?" questions invite discussion. There are eight other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, website. Bib., ind. Review covers these Changing Face of Modern Families titles: Gay & Lesbian Parents, Multiracial Families, Adoptive Parents, Blended Families, Teen Parents, and What Is a Family?

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Changing Face of Modern Families series. These well-meaning but bland volumes attempt to debunk the myth of a standardized American family, focusing on such issues as adoption, gay parents, and interfaith and mixed-race marriages. Facts and opinions are provided from various professionals in addition to individuals' personal accounts. "What Do You Think?" questions invite discussion. There are eight other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, website. Bib., ind. Review covers these Changing Face of Modern Families titles: Gay & Lesbian Parents, Multiracial Families, Adoptive Parents, Blended Families, Teen Parents, and What Is a Family?

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA Survivors: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances series. Skills presents twelve survival tips, each represented by a personal story (many culled from other books in the series). Remain explores common reactions that survivors share after suffering a loss on their way toward establishing a "new normal." Quotes from famous survivors such as Lance Armstrong are included. Many photographs (some that don't match the text) are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Survivors: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances titles: Those Who Remain and Survival Skills.

Reviewer: Claudia Harrington DeShay

(4) YA Survivors: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances series. Discussion of these emotionally charged issues addresses cultural, familial, and societal realities that contribute to these situations and the laws that either allow, condone, or seek to correct them. Survivors share their personal accounts (some are quite extensive) and, along with experts, offer coping and survival tips. Pictures of survivors and awkward staged photos illustrate the texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Survivors: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances title: We Shall All Be Free, Gender Danger, Students in Danger, The World Gone Mad, and When Danger Hits Home.

Reviewer: Claudia Harrington DeShay

(4) YA Survivors: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances series. Discussion of these emotionally charged issues addresses cultural, familial, and societal realities that contribute to these situations and the laws that either allow, condone, or seek to correct them. Survivors share their personal accounts (some are quite extensive) and, along with experts, offer coping and survival tips. Pictures of survivors and awkward staged photos illustrate the texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Survivors: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances title: We Shall All Be Free, Gender Danger, Students in Danger, The World Gone Mad, and When Danger Hits Home.

Reviewer: Claudia Harrington DeShay

(4) YA Survivors: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances series. Discussion of these emotionally charged issues addresses cultural, familial, and societal realities that contribute to these situations and the laws that either allow, condone, or seek to correct them. Survivors share their personal accounts (some are quite extensive) and, along with experts, offer coping and survival tips. Pictures of survivors and awkward staged photos illustrate the texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Survivors: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Circumstances title: We Shall All Be Free, Gender Danger, Students in Danger, The World Gone Mad, and When Danger Hits Home.

Reviewer: Claudia Harrington DeShay

(4) YA Careers with Character series. Combining career discussion with character education, these books first describe the job, then use anecdotes, sidebars on ethical decision-making, and questions for the reader to explore integrity, courage, and other virtues in that profession. The tone is often sanctimonious, but the numerous examples personalize the topics. Posed-looking photos illustrate the text. There are thirteen other spring 2003 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Careers with Character titles: Professional Athlete and Sports Official, Clergy, Special Education Teacher, Nurse, and Manager.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) YA Careers with Character series. Combining career discussion with character education, these books first describe the job, then use anecdotes, sidebars on ethical decision-making, and questions for the reader to explore integrity, courage, and other virtues in that profession. The tone is often sanctimonious, but the numerous examples personalize the topics. Posed-looking photos illustrate the text. There are thirteen other spring 2003 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Careers with Character titles: Professional Athlete and Sports Official, Clergy, Special Education Teacher, Nurse, and Manager.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam