(3) YA Tech Titans series. With clean design that reflects the companies they profile, these straightforward, well-organized introductions to technology innovators present the histories, impacts, key players, and controversies. With a focus on narrative and readability, each book compellingly begins with an anecdote about the founders or recent events to demonstrate the company's powerful influence. Sidebars and lots of captioned photographs help break up the texts. There are four other spring 2019 books in this series. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Tech Titans titles: Apple, Facebook, Google, and Twitter.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) YA Hip-Hop Insider series. This title, ideal for student research, explores hip-hop dance in historical, political, and cultural context. The clean layout employs a large font, wide margins, plentiful color photos, and informative sidebars. Overall, this series celebrates hip-hop as the voice of urban and marginalized populations while also objectively addressing concerns such as commercialization. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) K-3 Many Cultures, One World series. Focusing on a child's perspective on another culture, these slight country studies introduce city and country life, seasons, family, government, customs, pets, and sights of interest. The color photographs may catch readers' attention, but the cursory text conveys only basic information. A legend and instructions for a game, a recipe, and craft project enhance the presentation. Addresses, reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Many Cultures, One World titles: Greece and Ireland.]

Reviewer: Tina Cohen

(4) K-3 Many Cultures, One World series. This study introduces Pakistani city and country life, seasons, family, government, customs, pets, and sights of interest. The photographs may catch readers' attention, but the cursory text conveys little beyond basic information. A Pakistani legend and instructions for a game, a recipe, and a craft enhance the presentation. Addresses, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tina Cohen

(4) K-3 Many Cultures, One World series. Eight brief chapters superficially cover a range of topics from laws and customs to pets. Each book in this series includes a map, fact box, traditional legend, instructions for a craft and a game, and a recipe. Large, full-color photos appear on every page. Directory, reading list. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Many Cultures, One World titles: Japan and China.]

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Many Cultures, One World series. Eight brief chapters superficially cover a range of topics about the country, from laws and customs to pets. The book includes a map, fact box, traditional legend, instructions for making a piñata and a game, and a recipe. Large, full-color photos appear on every page. This is an adequate resource for report writers. Directory, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Great Disasters: Reforms and Ramifications series. Each of the books in this series begins with an account of the disaster it concerns, followed by background including what is known of the origins and outcomes. Illustrated with black-and-white photos and a few diagrams, the detailed texts reward close reading. Chronologies end the books, and World Trade Center has an epilogue about September 11. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Great Disasters: Reforms and Ramifications titles: The Salem Witch Trials, The Dust Bowl, Three Mile Island, The Explosion of TWA Flight 800, The 1993 World Trade Center Bombing.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Explorers of New Worlds series. The various conquests of the Vikings and the explorations of four Europeans who voyaged to the Americas are recorded in well-designed volumes illustrated with historical reproductions and photos. While the accessible books make good basic introductions, they're probably not the best choice for research reports, as excerpts and quotations are undocumented. Time lines are included. There are five other books in this series. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Female Firsts in Their Fields series. Accompanied by poorly reproduced black-and-white photos in an uninspired design, each of these volumes profiles the professional accomplishments of six pioneering women. The books don't discuss their subjects' personal lives in any depth, but they do address issues such as how individuals have made decisions about career, marriage, and/or family. This series offers a general history of women entering traditionally male-dominated professions. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Mary Burkey