(4) 4-6 Sci-Hi Scientists series. This volume touches on select concepts in biology (e.g., plants, fungi, marine animals) through an examination of historical achievements made by prominent scientists. Each person's contributions are detailed on very busy and colorful double-page spreads that also include illustrations, vital statistics, and sidebar facts. Modern-day applications of some of the concepts are also discussed. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Breakthroughs in Science and Technology series. Clearly and substantively, these books trace the development of computers and cars from as far as the seventeenth century through the present day. Although each spread addresses a subtopic, the texts read smoothly; the many sidebars, photos, and biographical sketches are well integrated. In both volumes, the answer to the title question is, of course, many different people--increasingly, in collaboration. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review includes these Breakthroughs in Science and Technology titles: Who Invented the Computer? and Who Invented the Automobile?

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Microlife series. The series covers the biology and chemistry of microscopic life, including both the negative and positive interactions of microorganisms and humans. Each revised volume is organized into subtopics found on two-page spreads that include sophisticated, dense text and well-captioned color images. Scientists presents a history of the field by introducing major scientists and their contributions. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Microlife titles: Fighting Infectious Diseases and Scientists and Discoveries.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Microlife series. The series covers the biology and chemistry of microscopic life, including both the negative and positive interactions of microorganisms and humans. Each revised volume is organized into subtopics found on two-page spreads that include sophisticated, dense text and well-captioned color images. Scientists presents a history of the field by introducing major scientists and their contributions. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Microlife titles: Fighting Infectious Diseases and Scientists and Discoveries.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Microlife series. This series covers the biology and chemistry of microscopic life, including both the negative and positive interactions of microorganisms and humans. Each revised volume is organized into subtopics covered on two-page spreads that include sophisticated, dense text and well-captioned color images. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Microlife titles: The Benefits of Bacteria and A World of Microorganisms.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Microlife series. This series covers the biology and chemistry of microscopic life, including both the negative and positive interactions of microorganisms and humans. Each revised volume is organized into subtopics covered on two-page spreads that include sophisticated, dense text and well-captioned color images. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Microlife titles: The Benefits of Bacteria and A World of Microorganisms.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Material World series. In this revised and updated series, double-page spreads give snippets of information about their subjects, generally beginning with rudimentary theory and moving to applications. Captioned photos and diagrams enhance the texts. Contemporary applications strengthen the presentation, while the occasional experiments are sometimes helpful, sometimes imprecise. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Material World titles: Materials Technology and Separating Materials.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Material World series. In this revised and updated series, double-page spreads give snippets of information about the subjects, including rudimentary theory and practical applications. The explanations are clear, and captioned photos and diagrams enhance the text. Contemporary applications strengthen the presentation, while the occasional experiments are sometimes helpful, sometimes imprecise. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Material World titles: Changing Materials and States of Matter.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Material World series. In this revised and updated series, double-page spreads give snippets of information about their subjects, generally beginning with rudimentary theory and moving to applications. Captioned photos and diagrams enhance the texts. Contemporary applications strengthen the presentation, while the occasional experiments are sometimes helpful, sometimes imprecise. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Material World titles: Materials Technology and Separating Materials.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Material World series. In this revised and updated series, double-page spreads give snippets of information about the subjects, including rudimentary theory and practical applications. The explanations are clear, and captioned photos and diagrams enhance the text. Contemporary applications strengthen the presentation, while the occasional experiments are sometimes helpful, sometimes imprecise. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Material World titles: Changing Materials and States of Matter.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Cells and Life series. In an organized fashion and using standard textbook language, these revised and updated volumes offer accurate introductions to topics ranging from genetics to human organs to evolution. The books cover a lot of ground (some of it overlapping) but in a fairly cursory way. Each concludes with a chart, such as an evolutionary diagram or timeline, that pulls together the information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cells and Life titles: Animals, The Diversity of Life, DNA and Genetic Engineering, and The World of the Cell.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Cells and Life series. In an organized fashion and using standard textbook language, these revised and updated volumes offer accurate introductions to topics ranging from genetics to human organs to evolution. The books cover a lot of ground (some of it overlapping) but in a fairly cursory way. Each concludes with a chart, such as an evolutionary diagram or timeline, that pulls together the information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cells and Life titles: Animals, The Diversity of Life, DNA and Genetic Engineering, and The World of the Cell.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Cells and Life series. Snedden first distinguishes plant cells from other kinds of cells, then presents the whole plant and its tissues, stems, leaves, roots, and reproduction in organized, textbook fashion; he concludes with information on fungi. Vivid color photos and detailed diagrams supplement the revised and updated text, which covers much ground in a fairly cursory way. A plant kingdom chart is appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Cells and Life series. In an organized fashion and using standard textbook language, these revised and updated volumes offer accurate introductions to topics ranging from genetics to human organs to evolution. The books cover a lot of ground (some of it overlapping) but in a fairly cursory way. Each concludes with a chart, such as an evolutionary diagram or timeline, that pulls together the information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cells and Life titles: Animals, The Diversity of Life, DNA and Genetic Engineering, and The World of the Cell.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Cells and Life series. In an organized fashion and using standard textbook language, these revised and updated volumes offer accurate introductions to topics ranging from genetics to human organs to evolution. The books cover a lot of ground (some of it overlapping) but in a fairly cursory way. Each concludes with a chart, such as an evolutionary diagram or timeline, that pulls together the information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cells and Life titles: Animals, The Diversity of Life, DNA and Genetic Engineering, and The World of the Cell.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Essential Energy series. Transfer explores the science behind different forms of energy, including heat, chemical, and waves. Nuclear takes a focused look at the complex scientific, political, and economic implications surrounding the topic. The dry, dense technical texts are supported by many photographs, diagrams, and other visual aids. Transfer appends a section on "Measuring Energy"; Nuclear includes a timeline. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Energy titles: Energy Transfer and Nuclear Energy.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Essential Energy series. This updated title looks at the scientific, political, and economic issues surrounding alternative forms of energy, including fuel cells, solar power, and hydroelectricity. The dry, technical text is supported by photographs, diagrams, and other visual aids. A list of "Alternative Energy Statistics" is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Essential Energy series. Transfer explores the science behind different forms of energy, including heat, chemical, and waves. Nuclear takes a focused look at the complex scientific, political, and economic implications surrounding the topic. The dry, dense technical texts are supported by many photographs, diagrams, and other visual aids. Transfer appends a section on "Measuring Energy"; Nuclear includes a timeline. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Energy titles: Energy Transfer and Nuclear Energy.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Essential Energy series. This revised book explores the scientific, economic, and political issues surrounding fossil fuels. Snedden explains how these nonrenewable resources are created, their production and uses, and the environmental impact. The dry, dense technical text is supported by many photographs, diagrams, and other visual aids. A list of fossil fuel statistics (e.g., "Energy Consumption, 1998" by country) is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Cells and Life series. In an organized fashion and using standard textbook language, these series books offer accurate introductions to topics ranging from genetics to human organs to evolution. The books cover a lot of ground (some of it inevitably overlapping) but in a fairly cursory way. Most of the books conclude with a chart, such as an evolutionary diagram, that pulls together the information that precedes it. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Cells and Life titles: Animals, Cell Division and Genetics, The Diversity of Life, DNA and Genetic Engineering, and The World of the Cell.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian