(4) 4-6 Women of Achievement series. This series contextualizes its subjects' lives and accomplishments in politics, culture, and/or history. The books, though dense and lengthy, are well written; sidebars supplement the narratives with interesting facts (e.g., women in the 1920s used radium to curl their hair; both Hillary and Bill Clinton have won Grammy awards). Photographs and reproductions illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rachael Ray, Marie Curie, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen DeGeneres, Martha Stewart, and Susan B. Anthony.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Women of Achievement series. This series contextualizes its subjects' lives and accomplishments in politics, culture, and/or history. The books, though dense and lengthy, are well written; sidebars supplement the narratives with interesting facts (e.g., women in the 1920s used radium to curl their hair; both Hillary and Bill Clinton have won Grammy awards). Photographs and reproductions illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rachael Ray, Marie Curie, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen DeGeneres, Martha Stewart, and Susan B. Anthony.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) YA Building America, Then and Now series. These books highlight the histories, construction, and impact of four mammoth American development projects that changed the communities around them. Photos, maps, and informative sidebars supplement the densely detailed writing. American history buffs will find these volumes useful for doing research. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Building America, Then and Now titles: The Hoover Dam, The Eisenhower Interstate System, The Empire State Building, and New York's Central Park.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Modern World Leaders series. This series, both historical and biographical in nature, challenges readers to consider the concept of leadership by placing the featured statesman in historical context. Childhood experiences, rise to power, significant historical events, international relationships, and political ideology combine with captioned photographs to provide a well-researched, albeit densely written, perspective on the United Nations's eighth secretary-general. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Point-Counterpoint series. This revised and updated book covers different sides of three major immigration issues: legal immigration, illegal immigration, and calls for English to be made the official language of the United States. Attempts to balance the issues limits the degree of depth, which is disappointing. Sidebars about relevant court decisions and questions to the reader help break up the text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) YA Restless Earth series. These volumes present definitions and typologies of geologic formations and events as well as the processes that create and change them (e.g., plate tectonics, erosion, the hydrogeologic cycle). The books also include information on technologies scientists use to monitor geological hazards. Sidebars include details about applied science, and color photographs and diagrams break up the dense texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Restless Earth titles: Mountains and Valleys, Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Rivers, Lakes, and Oceans, and Layers of the Earth.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Character Education series. Readers are presented with real-life examples, practice exercises, and possible strategies to help them deal with everyday issues that may create some challenging moral dilemmas. Though the series is inherently didactic, students and their mentors may find it a useful tool for discussion and conflict resolution. Photographs and sidebars add some interest. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Character Education titles: Overcoming Prejudice, Handling Peer Pressure, Being Fair and Honest, and Handling Teamwork and Respect for Others.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) YA Character Education series. Readers are presented with real-life examples, practice exercises, and possible strategies to help them deal with everyday issues that may create some challenging moral dilemmas. Though the series is inherently didactic, students and their mentors may find it a useful tool for discussion and conflict resolution. Photographs and sidebars add some interest. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Character Education titles: Overcoming Prejudice, Handling Peer Pressure, Being Fair and Honest, and Handling Teamwork and Respect for Others.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) YA Essential Chemistry series. These textbooklike volumes cover advanced physical, organic, and geochemistry topics. Concepts range from standard molecular chemistry to applied chemistry, including such subtopics as the carbon cycle, global warming, rock formation, and industrial products. Numerous charts, photographs, diagrams, and sidebars (including real-world applications) help break up the dense texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Chemistry titles: Earth Chemistry, Acids and Bases, Chemical Bonds, and Carbon Chemistry.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Criminal Investigations series. Drug Crime discusses various aspects of drug trafficking, with a focus on how authorities work to stop the flow. Crime Scene uses case studies to illustrate crime-solving methods. Both books are detailed and compelling, though sometimes more graphic than necessary. Photographs and sidebars appear throughout in an uninspired design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Criminal Investigations: Drug Crime and Crime Scene Investigation.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) YA Genes & Disease series. Goldstein describes the causes, history, symptoms, and treatments of Parkinson's disease. The text also briefly covers brain study and provides a mini-lesson on genetics. Both sides of the embryonic stem cell research controversy are presented, including quotes from actor Michael J. Fox, whose personal story opens the book. Diagrams, charts, and some photographs are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Claudia Harrington DeShay

(4) YA Deadly Diseases and Epidemics series. These books (most are revised editions) describe the biological structures of the featured diseases, along with scientific research and treatments. Requiring some prior knowledge and dense with scientific terminology, processes, and charts, the books will be accessible only to a limited readership. The occasional personal stories will be of more interest to general readers. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Deadly Diseases and Epidemics titles: Cholera, Anthrax, Mononucleosis, Influenza, Polio, and Rubella and Rubeola.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Prehistoric Earth series. These volumes provide comprehensive coverage of prehistoric life from the Cretaceous Period through recent ancient history (145 million to 200,000 years ago). Each volume integrates current understandings from evolutionary biology, earth science, archaeology, and paleontology in detailed discussions of the dominant animals that lived during the title era. Illustrations, diagrams, and sidebars enhance the already well-organized main texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Prehistoric Earth titles: The Age of Mammals, Early Humans, Last of the Dinosaurs, Primates and Human Ancestors, and The Rise of Mammals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Prehistoric Earth series. These volumes provide comprehensive coverage of prehistoric life from the Cretaceous Period through recent ancient history (145 million to 200,000 years ago). Each volume integrates current understandings from evolutionary biology, earth science, archaeology, and paleontology in detailed discussions of the dominant animals that lived during the title era. Illustrations, diagrams, and sidebars enhance the already well-organized main texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Prehistoric Earth titles: The Age of Mammals, Early Humans, Last of the Dinosaurs, Primates and Human Ancestors, and The Rise of Mammals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Prehistoric Earth series. These volumes provide comprehensive coverage of prehistoric life from the Cretaceous Period through recent ancient history (145 million to 200,000 years ago). Each volume integrates current understandings from evolutionary biology, earth science, archaeology, and paleontology in detailed discussions of the dominant animals that lived during the title era. Illustrations, diagrams, and sidebars enhance the already well-organized main texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Prehistoric Earth titles: The Age of Mammals, Early Humans, Last of the Dinosaurs, Primates and Human Ancestors, and The Rise of Mammals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Prehistoric Earth series. These volumes provide comprehensive coverage of prehistoric life from the Cretaceous Period through recent ancient history (145 million to 200,000 years ago). Each volume integrates current understandings from evolutionary biology, earth science, archaeology, and paleontology in detailed discussions of the dominant animals that lived during the title era. Illustrations, diagrams, and sidebars enhance the already well-organized main texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Prehistoric Earth titles: The Age of Mammals, Early Humans, Last of the Dinosaurs, Primates and Human Ancestors, and The Rise of Mammals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Prehistoric Earth series. These volumes provide comprehensive coverage of prehistoric life from the Cretaceous Period through recent ancient history (145 million to 200,000 years ago). Each volume integrates current understandings from evolutionary biology, earth science, archaeology, and paleontology in detailed discussions of the dominant animals that lived during the title era. Illustrations, diagrams, and sidebars enhance the already well-organized main texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Prehistoric Earth titles: The Age of Mammals, Early Humans, Last of the Dinosaurs, Primates and Human Ancestors, and The Rise of Mammals.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Point-Counterpoint series. These books explore arguments on both sides of complex contemporary issues. Authors cover the main points surrounding legal precedent, constitutionality, and moral considerations of gambling or the punishment of sex offenders. Sidebars include important court cases, relevant laws, and history of the issues. The writing is clear but dense. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Point-Counterpoint titles: Sentencing Sex Offenders and Legalized Gambling.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) YA Character Education series. Readers are presented with real-life examples, practice exercises, and possible strategies to help them deal with everyday issues that may create some challenging moral dilemmas. Though the series is inherently didactic, students and their mentors may find it a useful tool for discussion and conflict resolution. Photographs and sidebars add some interest. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Character Education titles: Overcoming Prejudice, Handling Peer Pressure, Being Fair and Honest, and Handling Teamwork and Respect for Others.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) 4-6 Women of Achievement series. This series contextualizes its subjects' lives and accomplishments in politics, culture, and/or history. The books, though dense and lengthy, are well written; sidebars supplement the narratives with interesting facts (e.g., women in the 1920s used radium to curl their hair; both Hillary and Bill Clinton have won Grammy awards). Photographs and reproductions illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rachael Ray, Marie Curie, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen DeGeneres, Martha Stewart, and Susan B. Anthony.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby