(3) 4-6 True Stories, Real People series. Each short, inspiring biography is divided into four or five chapters written in an objective, unpretentious manner. Quotation sources are fastidiously footnoted and listed in the back matter. Navigation is easy thanks to clean layouts and a simple color scheme (orange photo captions, navy call-out boxes). Great for school assignments and engaging enough for pleasure reading. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following True Stories, Real People titles: Alia Muhammad Baker, Aron Ralston, Malala Yousafzai, Abby Sunderland, and Bethany Hamilton.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Rev Up Your Writing series. Illustrated by Mernie Gallagher-Cole. Each book defines the titular writing form; highlights key elements (such as salutation and signature in Letters or characters and setting in Fictional); and suggests tips for planning, finding inspiration, and writing form-appropriate pieces. The titles covering nonfiction unfortunately do not discuss citation strategies. Sample writing passages with associated questions reinforce the serviceable instruction; cartoonish illustrations break up the text. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Rev Up Your Writing titles: Rev Up Your Writing in Informational Texts, Rev Up Your Writing in Nonfiction Narratives, Rev Up Your Writing in Blogs, Rev Up Your Writing in Fictional Stories, Rev Up Your Writing in Letters and E-mails, Rev Up Your Writing in Opinion Pieces, and Rev Up Your Writing in Procedural Texts.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 Story of the United States series. This series focusing on pivotal periods in U.S. history is generally well organized, and the writing, though clunky, is accessible. Frequent photos, diagrams, and sidebars enhance the texts; writing prompts, primary source quotes, and "Stop and Think" questions contribute to the volumes' usefulness. Coverage of certain events is uneven (e.g., 1960s anti-war protests are glossed over). Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Story of the United States titles: World War I and Modern America, The Postwar Era, The United States Today, and The Rise of Industry.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Essential Critiques series. These volumes introduce literary criticism, provide summaries of the authors' famous works, and offer lightly annotated essays modeling the application of criticism through different approaches. Each book leads readers through key steps of analysis and encourages readers' own critiques. Featuring the work of contemporarily popular Collins and beloved Lewis enlivens these suitable overviews of literary interpretation and essay construction. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Critiques titles: How to Analyze the Works of Suzanne Collins and How to Analyze the Works of C. S. Lewis.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) YA Landmark Supreme Court Cases series. These books chronicle events leading to and results stemming from selected Supreme Court decisions. Basic information includes key individuals as well as specifics related to the cases, the court challenges, and the final decisions. Photographs, archival images, and maps are included. Numerous sidebars extend and clarify the readable texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib. glos., ind. Review covers these Landmark Supreme Court Cases titles: Miranda v. Arizona, Dred Scott v. Sandford, Korematsu v. The United States, and Bush v. Gore.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg