(4) 4-6 North American Indian Nations series. These titles introduce Native American peoples living in each geographic area, discussing traditional way of life, spirituality, arts, changes after European influences, and modern times; each concludes with notable Native Americans from the region. The broad texts, covering many native nations within each book, are fractured in their focus but illustrated with helpful maps, photos, and tables. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following North American Indian Nations titles: Native Peoples of the Great Basin, Native Peoples of the Plateau, Native Peoples of the Arctic, Native Peoples of the Subarctic, Native Peoples of California, Native Peoples of the Plains, Native Peoples of the Southwest, and Native Peoples of the Northeast.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Documenting U.S. History series. These books chronicle the conception, creation, and adoption of two of the most significant documents in American history. The roles of the political thinkers and writers behind the historic undertakings are briefly presented, as well as the struggles and conflicts the framers faced prior to ratification. Although the design is crowded, inserts, illustrations, and archival portraits add interest to the simple texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Documenting U.S. History titles: The Articles of Confederation and The United States Constitution.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Documenting U.S. History series. These books chronicle the conception, creation, and adoption of two of the most significant documents in American history. The roles of the political thinkers and writers behind the historic undertakings are briefly presented, as well as the struggles and conflicts the framers faced prior to ratification. Although the design is crowded, inserts, illustrations, and archival portraits add interest to the simple texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Documenting U.S. History titles: The Articles of Confederation and The United States Constitution.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Great Explorers of the World series. Examining the lives of well-known explorers, these biographies go beyond to offer information about the times in which the men lived; events leading up to and surrounding their travels; and the impact of their explorations on the world. The volumes are well illustrated with photos, archival art, and maps. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Explorers of the World titles: Leif Eriksson, Captain Cook, Cortés, Vasco Da Gama, Lewis and Clark, and Pizarro.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) YA Unearthing Ancient Worlds series. Each volume begins with a snapshot look at life in the title city, then moves on to detail the first excavations at its site. Important figures involved in the historical digs are then introduced, and readers follow along as the archaeologists make their groundbreaking discoveries. Numerous sidebars, maps, and illustrations provide additional information about the sites and excavation details. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Unearthing Ancient Worlds titles: Palenque and Pompeii.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA New Immigrants series. These books provide facts and figures about immigrant groups' countries of origin and their contributions to America, both politically and culturally (e.g., food, music, art, literature). Though the texts tend to generalize, their chatty narrative style may engage readers. Photographs, charts, diagrams, and "First-Person Accounts" are included; study questions end each chapter. Jamaican and Ukrainian have recipes. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these New Immigrants titles: Korean Americans, Jamaican Americans, Ukrainian Americans, Mexican Americans, Vietnamese Americans, and Filipino Americans.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA Reform Movements in American History series. This book outlines the history of the environmental movement from early environmentalists (e.g., Thoreau and Muir) to Al Gore and the issue of climate change. In addition to highlighting important personalities of the movement, the book also explores its successes and failures to date. The dense text is enhanced with archival photographs and sidebars. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Milestones in American History series. These accessible volumes capture the hard work, perseverance, and natural talent of Edison and the Wright brothers. The texts explore the men's lives along with providing information about the genesis and development of their inventions. Many photographs, reproductions, and sidebars contribute to a clean design and help clarify the topics. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Milestones in American History titles: The Wright Brothers and The Electric Light.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 Native American Histories series. Generously illustrated with a mixture of black-and-white and color contemporary and historical photographs, the short chapters provide basic information about the groups' histories, religious observances, and modern-day life. Each book includes an activity (craft or recipe) and recommended places to visit. The clean design is only occasionally marred by awkward page breaks. Sidebars give additional information. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Native American Histories titles: The Cherokees, The Navajos, and The Iroquois.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) YA Immigrants in America series. Covering stereotypes, challenges, and prejudices, each of these comprehensive but dryly written books discusses the history and contributions of a specific immigrant group. Archival photos and text boxes break up the presentation and extend the information. Profiles of notable immigrants are interspersed. Addresses, reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Immigrants in America titles: Italian Americans, Irish Americans, Swedish Americans, Chinese Americans, Japanese Americans, and German Americans.]

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 America in Words and Songs series. These slight books trace the roots of two nineteenth- century poems/songs that continue to have meaning today. America profiles the poet and the composer behind the song. Banner discusses Francis Scott Key's experiences during the War of 1812 that led to his penning the national anthem. Plenty of archival photos accompany the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these America in Words and Songs titles: America the Beautiful and The Star-Spangled Banner.]

Reviewer: Sharon Korbeck

(4) 4-6 America in Words and Songs series. These slight books trace the roots of two nineteenth- century poems/songs that continue to have meaning today. America profiles the poet and the composer behind the song. Banner discusses Francis Scott Key's experiences during the War of 1812 that led to his penning the national anthem. Plenty of archival photos accompany the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these America in Words and Songs titles: America the Beautiful and The Star-Spangled Banner.]

Reviewer: Sharon Korbeck

(3) K-3 America in Words and Songs series. These books give readers insight into the history of two American cornerstones. Report writers will find the narratives useful, and photographs and archival illustrations enhance the text, as do a number of sidebars. Declaration includes the entire text of the document. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America in Words and Songs titles: The Declaration of Independence and The Pledge of Allegiance.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Period prints, photos, maps, and sidebars break up this historical outline of the American West from the Anasazi through the United Farm Workers. Sonneborn provides a good balance of large movements (westward migration, for example) with eye-witness accounts and key events. While the broad coverage gives the book some reference value, report writers will probably need more detailed accounts of specific events and people. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton