(4) 4-6 Assisting in operating rooms, performing search and rescue efforts, and exploring underwater are a few of the many tasks robots can do. Aspiring roboticists will enjoy technical details of robot design, function, and programming delivered in an accessible manner. The potential development of cyborgs is briefly explored. Pages are quite busy, including main text, sidebars, cartoons, photographs, and quizzes. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(3) 4-6 The Civil War paralleled the early Industrial Revolution and the development of mass-produced armaments. Lincoln encouraged the development and use of the telegraph, aerial observation balloons, ironclad war ships, and the railroad. The authors seamlessly blend these technological advances into the larger historical record of the Civil War. Detailed illustrations and descriptions of ships, guns, and other devices are inset. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Martha Newbigging. This volume explores different aspects of dirt, from its formation and erosion to dirt biking. The casual writing style and many hands-on activities are a draw, but the information is randomly sequenced, forming a jumble of facts and trivia, which makes the book best used for browsing rather than research. Photographs and cartoon illustrations extend the concepts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 NHL: History and Heroes series. These volumes chart the histories of four National Hockey League teams. Profiles of prominent players and coaches, team lore (e.g., team curses and season-making victories), and quotes from famous players are included. Readers looking for detailed season-by-season facts, figures, and rosters will need to look elsewhere, but others will be satisfied with the basic texts accompanied by many action photographs. Ind. Review covers these NHL: History and Heroes titles: The Story of the Montreal Canadiens, The Story of the New York Rangers, The Story of the Boston Bruins, and The Story of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 NHL: History and Heroes series. These volumes chart the histories of four National Hockey League teams. Profiles of prominent players and coaches, team lore (e.g., team curses and season-making victories), and quotes from famous players are included. Readers looking for detailed season-by-season facts, figures, and rosters will need to look elsewhere, but others will be satisfied with the basic texts accompanied by many action photographs. Ind. Review covers these NHL: History and Heroes titles: The Story of the Montreal Canadiens, The Story of the New York Rangers, The Story of the Boston Bruins, and The Story of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 National Parks series. Written more in the style of travel guides than informational books, these titles briefly mention the unique ecosystems and histories of each national park. Descriptions of scenic trails, byways, and sights are enhanced by the many excellent nature photographs and detailed maps. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Rocky Mountain National Park and Zion National Park.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 National Parks series. Written more in the style of travel guides than informational books, these titles briefly mention the unique ecosystems and histories of each national park. Descriptions of scenic trails, byways, and sights are enhanced by the many excellent nature photographs and detailed maps. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Rocky Mountain National Park and Zion National Park.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure series. Each book includes a brief history of the outdoor activity, commonly used gear and equipment, safety tips, and relevant rules and procedures. The texts are generally clear, but they can be redundant and condescending; though the writing is directed at upper-elementary readers, the design is babyish. Some sidebars and many photographs complement the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure! titles: Archery, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, and Hunting.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure series. Each book includes a brief history of the outdoor activity, commonly used gear and equipment, safety tips, and relevant rules and procedures. The texts are generally clear, but they can be redundant and condescending; though the writing is directed at upper-elementary readers, the design is babyish. Some sidebars and many photographs complement the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure! titles: Archery, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, and Hunting.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure series. Each book includes a brief history of the outdoor activity, commonly used gear and equipment, safety tips, and relevant rules and procedures. The texts are generally clear, but they can be redundant and condescending; though the writing is directed at upper-elementary readers, the design is babyish. Some sidebars and many photographs complement the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure! titles: Archery, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, and Hunting.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure series. Each book includes a brief history of the outdoor activity, commonly used gear and equipment, safety tips, and relevant rules and procedures. The texts are generally clear, but they can be redundant and condescending; though the writing is directed at upper-elementary readers, the design is babyish. Some sidebars and many photographs complement the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure! titles: Archery, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, and Hunting.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure series. Each book includes a brief history of the outdoor activity, commonly used gear and equipment, safety tips, and relevant rules and procedures. The texts are generally clear, but they can be redundant and condescending; though the writing is directed at upper-elementary readers, the design is babyish. Some sidebars and many photographs complement the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure! titles: Archery, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, and Hunting.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure series. Each book includes a brief history of the outdoor activity, commonly used gear and equipment, safety tips, and relevant rules and procedures. The texts are generally clear, but they can be redundant and condescending; though the writing is directed at upper-elementary readers, the design is babyish. Some sidebars and many photographs complement the texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Adventure Library: Outdoor Adventure! titles: Archery, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, and Hunting.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 NHL: History and Heroes series. These volumes chart the histories of four National Hockey League teams. Profiles of prominent players and coaches, team lore (e.g., team curses and season-making victories), and quotes from famous players are included. Readers looking for detailed season-by-season facts, figures, and rosters will need to look elsewhere, but others will be satisfied with the basic texts accompanied by many action photographs. Ind. Review covers these NHL: History and Heroes titles: The Story of the Montreal Canadiens, The Story of the New York Rangers, The Story of the Boston Bruins, and The Story of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Fueling the Future series. This series argues that global environmental change demands the development of alternative forms of energy production, and it presents several options. Accompanied by simple diagrams and photographs, the texts convey basic scientific concepts underlying these alternative sources. The pros and cons, facts and figures are adequate; however, more complete descriptions would have improved the usefulness of the series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fueling the Future titles: Solar Energy, Fossil Fuels and Biofuels, Nuclear Energy, and Water and Geothermal Energy.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Fueling the Future series. This series argues that global environmental change demands the development of alternative forms of energy production, and it presents several options. Accompanied by simple diagrams and photographs, the texts convey basic scientific concepts underlying these alternative sources. The pros and cons, facts and figures are adequate; however, more complete descriptions would have improved the usefulness of the series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fueling the Future titles: Solar Energy, Fossil Fuels and Biofuels, Nuclear Energy, and Water and Geothermal Energy.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Fueling the Future series. This series argues that global environmental change demands the development of alternative forms of energy production, and it presents several options. Accompanied by simple diagrams and photographs, the texts convey basic scientific concepts underlying these alternative sources. The pros and cons, facts and figures are adequate; however, more complete descriptions would have improved the usefulness of the series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fueling the Future titles: Solar Energy, Fossil Fuels and Biofuels, Nuclear Energy, and Water and Geothermal Energy.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Fueling the Future series. This series argues that global environmental change demands the development of alternative forms of energy production, and it presents several options. Accompanied by simple diagrams and photographs, the texts convey basic scientific concepts underlying these alternative sources. The pros and cons, facts and figures are adequate; however, more complete descriptions would have improved the usefulness of the series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fueling the Future titles: Solar Energy, Fossil Fuels and Biofuels, Nuclear Energy, and Water and Geothermal Energy.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 NHL: History and Heroes series. These volumes chart the histories of four National Hockey League teams. Profiles of prominent players and coaches, team lore (e.g., team curses and season-making victories), and quotes from famous players are included. Readers looking for detailed season-by-season facts, figures, and rosters will need to look elsewhere, but others will be satisfied with the basic texts accompanied by many action photographs. Ind. Review covers these NHL: History and Heroes titles: The Story of the Montreal Canadiens, The Story of the New York Rangers, The Story of the Boston Bruins, and The Story of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 A brief history of horse breeding segues into step-by-step details of racehorse training and care. Topics include grooming, special horse-racing equipment, and race-day procedures. Information about related jobs (e.g., jockey, trainer, groomer, veterinarian) provides career advice for interested readers. The pages are crowded with main text, sidebars, and illustrations; the copious photographs are eye-catching, but some are too small. Ind.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox