(4) 4-6 Ake introduces readers to the Everglades ecosystem, from its great "River of Grass" to the intricate interdependency of its plants and animals--including humans that both exploit it and fight to restore it. Though the densely packed pages are off-putting, the many photographs of exotic animals, sidebars, and some maps help enhance the presentation. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 In 1813, the U.S. is trying to gain control of La Florida. Eleven-year-old Mary's Loyalist family must flee to Amelia Island; though they're freed slaves, they face danger from those who do not accept their rights. On the island, Mary and her siblings are distracted by the hunt for pirate treasure. Though the plot is convoluted, strong setting enhances this historical novel.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) 4-6 Gioia posits that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by Spanish explorers and Timucua tribespeople in Florida in 1565. Though the notion is thought-provoking, many of the book's statements seem based on speculation rather than documentation. Historical and contemporary paintings, photographs, and artifacts depict the coming together of these two cultures. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) 4-6 This well-researched book provides a thorough description of the history, habitat, life, and survival of the gopher tortoise, a species living on the brink of destruction in the southeastern United States. Color photos, maps, and diagrams complement the question-and-answer format, making the rather extensive data accessible. Directory, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) YA This well-constructed overview of sinkholes and karst--topics only briefly mentioned in most natural-disasters books--helps explain the complex interactions between near-surface rock and water. The text covers sinkhole formation, underground water sources, sinkhole and cavern ecosystems, and human concerns about potential dangers. Color photos aid greatly in explaining this phenomenon. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Southern Fossil Discoveries series. Brief descriptions of animals that once inhabited the warm climates of the southern United States are interspersed with information on land bridges and fossil formation in caves. Few specifics about their exact dates of existence or geographical range are given. Illustrations include color photos of ice age animal models and their modern relations, artistic renditions of past environments, and occasionally misleading diagrams. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Living in Jacksonville, Florida, while his father serves in World War II, Frank Hollahan has a reputation for stretching the truth. When he sees a German U-boat and a mysterious man on the beach, only Frank's friends Rosemarie and Wanda are willing to help him look for this suspected foreign spy. Some aspects of the plot strain credibility, but the story is entertaining.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta