(4) 4-6 Heinemann Infosearch: Deadly History series. This simplified overview discusses the people, places, and events that led to the persecution and genocide of millions of Jews and others in Europe by the Nazis during World War II. Nine short sections track the Holocaust's evolution before addressing the overall effect it had on the world. Photographs (sometimes graphic), diagrams, and sidebars round out the cursory volume. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Heinemann Infosearch: Deadly History series. This simplified overview introduces three major bubonic plague pandemics: the Plague of Justinian, the Black Death, and the Modern Plague. Also discussed is the introduction of insecticides and antibiotics to help curtail the disease today. Other important, non-pandemic outbreaks of bubonic plague are confusingly interwoven in the eleven short sections, which are peppered with illustrations, photographs, charts, and sidebars. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Figure Skating series. These slim titles provide introductions to types of popular figure skating. Brief chapters provide basic information about the elements of each skating category, including history of the sport, technique, costuming, competition, and notable teams and stars. The volumes include bulleted lists, fact boxes, varying type and fonts, and captioned photos but lack the grace and style of the subjects. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Snap Books: Figure Skating titles: Synchronized Skating and Ice Dancing.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Heroes of World War II series. An overview of events and notable persons in World War II efforts, each slim volume is thorough and accessible. They offer good representation among the various fronts--even within the Axis countries--including "heroes" of various nationalities, races, and genders. Pages are evenly balanced with text and archival photographs along with enhancing sidebars. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Heroes of World War II titles: Spies and Code Breakers and Saving the Persecuted.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) 4-6 Against the Odds Biographies series. These biographies are generously filled with photos illustrating the lives of people who, "against the odds," survived life-threatening disability or injury. In chapters titled as questions "young people want answered," the texts focus on various prejudicial obstacles Hawking and Yousafzai each overcame to achieve amazing and heroic accomplishments. The brightly colored pages are distracting, but the stories will inspire middle-grade researchers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Against the Odds Biographies titles: Stephen Hawking and Malala Yousafzai.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Fantasy Science Field Trips series. "To get to the space station, we have to travel in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft." Through short chapters, "Did You Know?" boxes, and captioned photos, readers take an armchair journey to the International Space Station. This overview provides basic information about space travel and life aboard the ISS--though it's a fairly random presentation. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Living in the Wild: Big Cats series. These volumes introduce two species of big cats. The texts are detailed but somewhat dry, with glossary terms in bold, and cover everything from scientific classification to habitat to animal behavior and conservation efforts. Captioned color photos, charts, and text boxes provide supplemental information. More useful for project research than pleasure reading. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Living in the Wild: Big Cats titles: Cheetahs and Lions.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Winter Sports series. In each of these small-trim books, informative text begins with a brief history of the winter sport then covers the variety of events, equipment, techniques, and worldwide competitions. While the action shots are eye-catching and the content solid, the tiny type gets lost within a busy format filled with captions, quotes, bios of star athletes, and "No Way!" sidebars. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Winter Sports titles: Skiing, Snowboarding, and Figure Skating.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Living in the Wild: Primates series. These books present information about their primate subjects in manageable sections focusing on topics like habitat, species classification, and measure of intelligence. Each volume begins with a general introduction and distribution map, followed by detail-rich text, numerous captioned color photos, and sidebars. Conservation status and how humans can help are also addressed. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Living in the Wild: Primates titles: Bonobos, Orangutans, and Lemurs.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Countries Around the World series. Both volumes contain a broad spectrum overview of their respective country. Topics explored relate to historical, geographical, environmental, social, political, and cultural details. Photos, maps, and sidebars provide additional insight. The information is truncated, but the books may be useful for school reports. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries Around the World titles: Czech Republic and Latvia.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo