(4) 4-6 A large trim size and an open, scrapbook-like format with lots of compelling photos make for an accessible approach to the topic. However, the information--presented in three parts ("Coming Storm," "From War to Genocide," "Freedom and Remembrance")--is limited compared to plenty of more substantive works on the Holocaust for middle graders. The book lacks sources or suggested reading material. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Emerging Nations series. For a series on the "fastest-developing" countries, these attractive volumes for report writers are already somewhat dated (not much is mentioned past 2013). Each book includes sections devoted to history, culture, political change, and economic development, as well as several double-page spotlights on a major city (Moscow and Istanbul, respectively). Bright color photographs are plentiful and varied. Reading list, websites. Glos. Ind. Review covers these Emerging Nations titles: Russia and Turkey.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Emerging Nations series. For a series on the "fastest-developing" countries, these attractive volumes for report writers are already somewhat dated (not much is mentioned past 2013). Each book includes sections devoted to history, culture, political change, and economic development, as well as several double-page spotlights on a major city (Moscow and Istanbul, respectively). Bright color photographs are plentiful and varied. Reading list, websites. Glos. Ind. Review covers these Emerging Nations titles: Russia and Turkey.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Emerging Nations series. For a series on the "fastest-developing" countries, these attractive volumes for report writers are already somewhat dated (not much is mentioned past 2013). Each book includes sections devoted to history, culture, political change, and economic development, as well as several double-page spotlights on major cities (Jakarta, Beijing, and Mumbai, respectively). Bright color photographs are plentiful and varied. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Emerging Nations titles: Indonesia, China, and India.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Kingfisher Readers series. Simple yet informative text helps to create a clear picture of what life was like for the Vikings. Sea travel, religion, home life and customs, exploration, and settlements are all discussed effectively. The roomy design, with large font, frequent sidebars, and a mix of colorful illustrations and photographs of artifacts, will keep new readers on track. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Marc Aspinall. This book is chock-full of pirate facts vaguely organized by topic (e.g., a spread about women pirates). Short, readable text and amusing illustrations and visuals are spread out in chunks across brightly colored pages. Lack of a table of contents and an index makes the scattershot volume difficult to navigate, and there are no sources. Still, pirate aficionados will appreciate the trivia.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(4) K-3 Kingfisher Readers series. From animal attacks and poisonous plants to natural disasters and life choices, humans face a variety of common and unusual dangers. Each busy two-page section features a choppy text, photographs, and text boxes that discuss random deadly threats. A final chapter stresses preparation and education as key safety measures. Independent readers will find this book accessible. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Kingfisher Readers series. Heavily illustrated two-page chapters briefly cover the geography, climate, plant and animal life, exploration, and current research in these polar regions. The last two chapters discuss climate change and conservation efforts. The choppy text is accompanied by lots of small photos, illustrations, and maps in a lively if somewhat busy design. This is an accessible introduction to the Arctic and Antarctica. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Greatest Warriors series. Warriors of varying nationality and era are discussed in this series. Each short chapter focuses on a different aspect of warrior life and includes reenactment photos and plentiful text boxes. The presentation is lively and helps make up for the sparse information. Collectively, the set provides a decent overview of the progression from ancient through medieval European soldiery. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Greatest Warriors titles: Knights, Roman Soldiers, Vikings,Gladiators, and Greek Soldiers.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Kingfisher Readers series. This easy reader is an extremely basic overview; two-page sections cover development of the empire, archaeological discoveries, brief snapshots of life in ancient Rome, and the civilization's demise. Photos of artifacts and ruins, awkward illustrations, and sidebars provide additional details. This volume lacks substance, though the simplicity of the presentation makes it manageable for emergent readers. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Navigators series. In twenty double-page spreads, the volume briefly discusses many aspects of ancient Greek society and culture, from geography and daily life to mythology and war. The pages are heavily dominated by illustrations and photographs; while the main pictures are eye-catching, the overall layout is very busy: text boxes, smaller images, and sideways text (mostly website addresses) clutter the pages. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 I Wonder Why series. Simple text in question-and-answer format presents an introduction to ancient Egypt, from pharaohs, gods, and goddesses to average men and women. The facts are entirely random and light on actual history, but they may stimulate curiosity about the topic. The many illustrations on busy pages include a combination of realistic-looking drawings and humorous cartoons. Ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 National Geographic World History Biographies series. Beginning with childhood, these handsomely designed books trace the lives of each historical figure, highlighting small details (e.g., as a child Joan was "well behaved"), major achievements, struggles, and their impact today. Most pages feature a running timeline, artwork reproductions or other illustrations, and factual text boxes, which further help set these extraordinary lives in historical context. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these National Geographic World History Biographies titles: Isaac Newton and Joan of Arc.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(4) 4-6 Kingfisher Knowledge series. This book introduces readers to a wide range of human accomplishments, focusing mostly on art and architecture (the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, skyscrapers) but also incorporating technological advancements (the Hubble telescope, the Internet). The many photographs and renderings are appropriately monumental but tend to crowd the pages. Each of the three chapters is introduced with a map. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Inside Access series. This book, narrated by the fictional Jake Rattlebones, takes readers into the world of pirates. A brief history of pirates and their ships, why sailors become pirates, and their duties and behaviors are explored. The busy pages are illustrated with photographs overlaid with line drawings. Readers will have fun with the many flaps and foldouts, which may not withstand multiple library checkouts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Kingfisher Knowledge series. This informative volume covers general history and culture as well as specifics about Middle Eastern nations. Despite the wide range of topics, the book is far from exhaustive and some information is already out of date. Historical images, modern photographs, and maps accompany the easy-to-read yet nuanced text. Chapter summaries are included. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 Leading Lives series. With outlined but fluid texts, these books follow the lives of famous political leaders from childhood. Focus is placed on the lasting legacies of the figures, and each book includes a descriptive list of "key people," or important historical figures in each subject's life. Photographs and quotes add interest to the texts. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Leading Lives titles: Golda Meir, Che Guevara, Malcolm X, Indira Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Ho Chi Minh.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Heinemann Profiles series. Adequate for reports, this biography of the African-American athlete details how he overcame many obstacles to represent America in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The layout is busy and the text occasionally choppy, but captioned color and black-and-white photos, along with text boxes featuring excerpts from original documents, add interest. A time line is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 On each double-page spread of the oversized book, extensive captions and a brief text describe an aspect of life as a knight during the Middle Ages, including training, religious or other affiliations, armor and weaponry, the Crusades, and castle life. Diagrams, vignettes, and larger artwork show knights in battle and at leisure. Despite the cluttered design and the lack of a narrative thread, the volume provides a wealth of information. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) K-3 Simple, clear text and illustrations introduce the ancient Egyptians' burial rituals. Including a look at the meticulous preparation required for a pharaoh's afterlife, brief sections cover topics such as the Egyptian people, a funeral procession, robbers, and mummies and science. The text also features brief snippets about the ancient gods and goddesses. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty