(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 As the title suggests, this is the end of a series, the sixth volume about the epic battle between humans and the underworld Styx. Massive surprises, shocking deaths, and (mostly awkward) plot twists await, and fans may leave feeling more confused than resolved. The determined humans hoping to save the world are amiable protagonists and they balance the plot problems.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(4) 4-6 This British import, the fifth in the series, picks up with the brutal Styx infesting England while a scrappy band of humans is still trying to save the world from certain destruction. Die-hard fans of the series will be used to the uneven pace and stilted dialogue; the creepy, monstrous Styx are memorable enough to compensate for the writing flaws.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(4) 4-6 This fourth book follows aptly named Will Burrows (Tunnels, Deeper, Freefall) and his friends as they traipse back to the world at Earth's core and to Topsoil. Though the story line attempts to follow too many characters--including clever heroes and even more interesting villains--the book's fast-paced action will sustain fans. Readers are again left hanging off a cliff at the end.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 Secret History series. From propaganda and intelligence to technology and courageous sacrifice, various ways in which conflicts are won or negotiated are examined in these books. Archival photographs combine with a busy but well-organized design to present an engaging perspective on these wartime efforts. Both reluctant readers and history buffs in need of a fresh approach to events will appreciate this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Secret History titles: The Cold War, World War I, World War II, and The War on Terror.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Place in History series. Archival photographs, maps, and sidebars combine with engaging texts to present thorough histories of the featured sites and landmarks. The chronological unfolding of events, interesting facts, personal accounts, and the current perspective provide well-rounded discussions of the impact and significance of these settings. The cramped design is a drawback. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Place in History titles: The Twin Towers, Hiroshima, Pearl Harbor, The Berlin Wall, Auschwitz, and The Normandy Beaches.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Williams. Hero Will (Tunnels, Deeper) falls further--literally--into the secrets of the underground society where he was born. Meanwhile, the evil Styx plot to destroy all "Topsoilers." With educational tidbits dropped into the text, the story drags. Some interesting (if improbable) closing twists may grab series fans.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) YA Timelines series. These books explore the history of the title conflict through twenty-one key events or milestones (e.g., from Afghanistan: "The Soviet Invasion: December 24, 1979"). On each spread, a timeline gives a snapshot view of the period, used to both anchor each development and to expand upon it. Background about major figures is appended. The many images are relevant and well placed. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Timelines titles: The Iraq War and The War in Afghanistan.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) 4-6 Breakthroughs in Science and Technology series. Clearly and substantively, these books trace the development of computers and cars from as far as the seventeenth century through the present day. Although each spread addresses a subtopic, the texts read smoothly; the many sidebars, photos, and biographical sketches are well integrated. In both volumes, the answer to the title question is, of course, many different people--increasingly, in collaboration. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review includes these Breakthroughs in Science and Technology titles: Who Invented the Computer? and Who Invented the Automobile?

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Banished by the restrictive underground society of the Colony (discovered in Tunnels), Will explores the deadly Deeps with his brother Cal and friend Chester. Meanwhile, the sinister Styx hunt him and plan a horrifying biological attack on the "Topsoil" world. The plot has too many red herrings and near-misses to sustain tension, but the action is nonstop.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of plant and animal life. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they contribute to the pages' overcrowding. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of geology, geography, and meteorology. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive and varied illustrations add interest, though they crowd the pages. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of astronomy and relate space discoveries important to human history. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Though they crowd the pages, extensive illustrations add interest and help explain some of the difficult concepts. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of world history and peoples. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they contribute to the overcrowded design and lack of cohesion. Ind. Review covers these What About... titles: History, People & Places, and World Wonders.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover wide spans of culture, addressing such unconnected topics as snowboarding, Nigerian sculpture, world mythology, and the Louvre. Page and section headings in addition to sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they contribute to the pages' overcrowding. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of world history and peoples. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they contribute to the overcrowded design and lack of cohesion. Ind. Review covers these What About... titles: History, People & Places, and World Wonders.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of world history and peoples. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they contribute to the overcrowded design and lack of cohesion. Ind. Review covers these What About... titles: History, People & Places, and World Wonders.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Brian Williams. While pursuing his hobby of underground exploration, fourteen-year-old Will and his best friend are taken prisoner in the oppressive Colony, policed by the sinister, merciless Styx. The innovative underworld setting will stimulate readers' imaginations, but while adventure-lovers will appreciate the twisting plot, they may lose patience with the slow beginning and endless similes. Occasional shadowy, sketchlike illustrations accompany the text.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Each title in this series of high-interest books offers an introduction to the lives of ancient Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and the people of the Indus Valley. While the text tends to oversimplify the complexities of ancient life, the plentiful illustrations and graphics and the range of topics make these books useful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Welcome to the Ancient Olympics!, On to Valhalla!, Blood and Celebration, Reach for the Stars, Staying Alive in Ancient Rome, and Trading Up.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Each title in this series of high-interest books offers an introduction to the lives of ancient Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Egyptians, Romans, and the people of the Indus Valley. While the text tends to oversimplify the complexities of ancient life, the plentiful illustrations and graphics and the range of topics make these books useful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Welcome to the Ancient Olympics!, On to Valhalla!, Blood and Celebration, Reach for the Stars, Staying Alive in Ancient Rome, and Trading Up.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister