(3) K-3 Super Simple Engineering Projects series. This series clearly explains engineering principles through hands-on projects. Six-page introductions define each engineered structure, briefly describing its construction, uses, and different types. Five or six activities follow, and "Digging Deeper" sidebars expand on the science involved. Simple directions, inexpensive materials lists, and plenty of helpful photographs make this series a good choice for budding engineers. Each book concludes with a three-question quiz. Glos. Review covers these Super Simple Engineering Projects titles: Engineer It! Bridge Projects, Engineer It! Canal Projects, Engineer It! Dam Projects, Engineer It! Road Projects, Engineer It! Skyscraper Projects, and Engineer It! Tunnel Projects.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Engineering Marvels series. These books provide brief accounts of major engineering feats--three transportation marvels and three iconic structures. Each book includes the project's purpose, how it was built, personnel involved, and physical challenges encountered. Archival and recent photographs give insight into the construction process. The lackluster texts are enhanced with sidebars providing statistical data and examples of similar projects. A short quiz is included in each title. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Marvels titles: Building Route 66, Building the Channel Tunnel, Building the Panama Canal, Building the Empire State Building, Building the Golden Gate Bridge, and Building the Hoover Dam.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Building by Design series. These books focus on the history of two transportation systems that were major engineering feats in the mid-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries. Each book explains the need and purpose propelling the project, plus its planning, design, funding, obstacles faced, and modern use. Stock photographs, diagrams, direct quotes, and sidebars provide clarity. "Fast Facts" and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Building by Design titles: Engineering the London Underground and Engineering the Panama Canal.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Engineering Super Structures series. Each book in this series superficially introduces newly independent readers to a different type of engineered structure, noting its history, construction, uses, and maintenance. Every spread contains a few simple sentences--with new vocabulary in bold--plus accompanying photographs (including an awkwardly superimposed image of a child). A concluding "Think About It" question offers an opportunity for a bit of deeper reflection. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Super Structures titles: Dams, Bridges, Canals, Roads, Skyscrapers, and Tunnels.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Lessac Frané. When Jesse discovers his favorite book, The Swiss Family Robinson, on the "Book Boat" (one of the rental library/bookstores that cruised the Erie Canal in the early 1800s), he sets out to earn its price: twenty cents. The way this small drama looms large works well to illuminate the historical setting, which is also nicely evoked in vivid gouache paintings.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2013

(4) K-3 Now That's Big! series. This book highlights that marvel of human engineering, the Suez Canal. Crisp photographs in clean layouts illustrate the monumental feat. The large-font text, though informative, can be vague ("They used their bare hands, shovels, and baskets to dig. Later on, de Lesseps got machines for them to use") and the facts unsupported (did "about 2.4 million Egyptians" really work on the canal?). Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 This book depicts the history of New York State's Erie Canal from its conception in the early 1800s to its decline in the twentieth century. Kendall provides an informative account of the once controversial project connecting Albany to Lake Erie. Archival photographs and reproductions enhance the engaging text. Directory, reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Masas de agua series. These volumes define and describe various bodies of water, from streams to oceans. Vibrant photographs bring some life to the repetitive, sometimes confusing, though generally accessible texts. Back matter is quite brief (a sentence or two on the Panama Canal would have beefed up the "Facts" section of Canales). The Spanish texts are stiff but accurate. Glos., ind. Review includes these Masas de agua titles: Canales, Lagos y estanques, Océanos y mares, and Ríos y arroyos.

Reviewer: Pamela Mishkin

(4) K-3 Bodies of Water series. These titles offer new readers a very basic overview of various bodies of water and their features. The texts use simple vocabulary that's easy to read but can be confusing or vague ("Rivers wash away rock"). Colorful photographs with clear labels are well chosen to illustrate the topics. Additional facts about each body of water are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bodies of Water titles: Canals, Lakes and Ponds, Oceans and Seas, and Rivers and Streams.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. The importance of the Suez Canal, both as engineering feat and invaluable aid to trade routes, is explained. Drawings and photos demonstrate how the canal transformed a desert landscape and depict the area's ensuing revitalization. The clean design, approachable text, and multitude of photos (although a few are blurry) effectively introduce the canal. Maps, "Quick Facts." Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Wild History of the American West series. These books chronicle the history of the events, places, and personalities that played major roles in the expansion and settlement of the American West. The readable texts are well researched and informative. The screen shots used to illustrate the books are poorly reproduced, but archival photographs, maps, and drawings add interest. Chapter notes are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Wild History of the American West titles: The Gold Rush to California's Riches, The Amazing Erie Canal and How A Big Ditch Opened Up the West, What Made the Wild West Wild , The Oregon Trail and the Daring Journey West by Wagon, The Louisiana Purchase, Bleeding Kansas and the Violent Clash over Slavery in the Heartland, and The Pony Express and its Death-Defying Mail Carriers.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 In this richly detailed story set in 1848 on the Erie Canal, twelve-year-old Maggie reluctantly assumes responsibility for delivering a barge shipment to Buffalo after her father is arrested and her mother becomes ill. Along the way, Maggie learns about herself and what she wants to do with her life. The colloquial dialogue provides historical authenticity, and an informative afterword gives context. Glos.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Free at last from his summer job at his parents' café, Luca trudges grumpily toward the Grand Canal, his favorite afternoon destination. Much to his surprise, a dolphin appears and gives him a ride, leaping over bridges and buoying Luca's spirit. The slight story is peppered with Italian words and illustrated with brightly colored cheery scenes of Venice. Glos.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Howard, a "hoggee," drives the mules that pull boats along the Erie Canal. But he can also read and write and hopes to become something more. Although suffering from some unlikely coincidences, this interesting story has a sympathetic main character. One subplot involves the treatment of a deaf-mute girl, whom Howard hopes to reach through sign language.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Great Building Feats series. This book gives an in-depth profile of the Panama Canal, from Christopher Columbus's exploration to the handing over of the canal to Panama in 1999. Although full of details about the construction, the book barely touches on the effects on the native population and plant and animal life. Maps, reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) 4-6 Building America series. With detailed, clear writing, including occasional quotes from primary sources, each book in this series takes a historical look at early American buildings and related industry. The arrangement of information reveals much about colonial and frontier life. Illustrations consist of photos of preserved sites, period paintings, sketches, and archival reproductions. Each book includes a list of suggested websites. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Building America titles: The Canals, The Farms, The Forts, The Houses, The Mills.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old orphan Etta takes refuge in an abandoned cottage along the Farmington Canal, a cottage already occupied by a boy hiding from his abusive father. The familiar story of wayfaring children joining forces for a new family group is briskly told and nicely integrated here with a little-known, and revealing, piece of social history revolving around the canal.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2001

(4) 4-6 Building Amazing Structures series. The volumes follow a similar format, explaining how each structure is necessary to improve commerce, transportation, and energy production. The clear texts present historical background but focus on contemporary issues of design, construction, and maintenance. Illustrated with average-quality color photographs, the crowded pages include occasional activities to demonstrate scientific principles. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 In American History series. Five dramatic episodes in U.S. history are surveyed in volumes that ably place the events in the context of their times. The clear prose includes occasional boxed passages from source documents which, strangely, are only identified in the endnotes. The accompanying historical reproductions and black-and-white photos are often too dark. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA At the end of 1999, the Panama Canal will pass from American to Panamanian control. Gold opens her informative but dry presentation with a description of the current situation, and the political aspects of its past and present ownership. Muddy black-and-white photographs and pie charts and graphs add to the book's dullness. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne