(4) K-3 Country Explorers series. Bright illustrations depict aspects of contemporary Mexican culture--family, food, religion, school, art, music, recreation--including a passing mention of historical events. The text is accessible for its target audience, but the quality of writing is inconsistent; many sentences are choppy or vague. A brief retelling of an Aztec tale and a map quiz (made difficult due to poor design) are also included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Explore Space! series. Short paragraphs offer information about the accomplishments of well-known astronauts. Each spread has relevant photos on the left-hand page, while the right-hand page highlights major points in the featured person's life. An abrupt conclusion may feel awkward to early readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Explore Space! titles: Christa McAuliffe, John Glenn, Mae Jemison, and Neil Armstrong.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Explore Space! series. Short paragraphs offer information about the accomplishments of well-known astronauts. Each spread has relevant photos on the left-hand page, while the right-hand page highlights major points in the featured person's life. An abrupt conclusion may feel awkward to early readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Explore Space! titles: Christa McAuliffe, John Glenn, Mae Jemison, and Neil Armstrong.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Explore Space! series. Short paragraphs offer information about the accomplishments of well-known astronauts. Each spread has relevant photos on the left-hand page, while the right-hand page highlights major points in the featured person's life. An abrupt conclusion may feel awkward to early readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Explore Space! titles: Christa McAuliffe, John Glenn, Mae Jemison, and Neil Armstrong.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Explore Space! series. Short paragraphs offer information about the accomplishments of well-known astronauts. Each spread has relevant photos on the left-hand page, while the right-hand page highlights major points in the featured person's life. An abrupt conclusion may feel awkward to early readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Explore Space! titles: Christa McAuliffe, John Glenn, Mae Jemison, and Neil Armstrong.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) YA Issues in Focus series. Chemical and Biological Warfare includes updated information on the growing threat of bioterrorism and on some steps that have been taken to combat it. All three volumes fully describe the gruesome consequences of these violent weapons, with less attention paid to possible solutions. Muddy black-and-white photos illustrate the texts. Land Mines and Nuclear Weapons contain glossaries. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Building History series. These books do a credible job of exploring the history and impact of these public structures: a maximum-security prison, a large-scale national monument, and a transportation system that drew a country together. The volumes will be useful for reports, but the low-contrast, muddy quality of the photos detracts from the books' overall appeal. The time line in each book is a helpful feature. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Profiles series. Illustrated with dark, murky photos and reproductions, the volume discusses the history, beliefs, and leaders of several utopian communities that were founded in or that settled in the United States. The Shakers, the Harmony society, and the Theosophists are among the groups profiled in the occasionally flat text. A final chapter surveys modern utopian groups, including "virtual communities" that have sprung up on the Internet. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Profiles series. These eight biographical profiles collectively (and painlessly) constitute a history lesson. By charting the philosophical differences among his subjects, which include Mary "Mother" Jones, Jimmy Hoffa, and Cesar Chavez, the author paints a rich and full portrait of the labor movement. Poorly reproduced black-and-white photos document the struggle for social justice. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram