(4) 4-6 Warriors! series. Illustrated by Jason Juta. This volume profiles noteworthy military leaders throughout world history. Famous battles, tactics used, and even some of the mythology surrounding the subjects are described. After an introduction, each one-spread bio has a central realistic illustration with a video-game look, an inset map, and blocks of text in unfortunately tiny type. Overall, the book gives readers decent insight on these famous warriors. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Essential Library of the Civil War series. This series covers a broad spectrum of the American Civil War. Causes and Aftermath present overviews of the events leading up to and following the conflict; the other volumes zero in on the roles various groups played during the period. Each thorough book contains an abundance of archival photographs, maps, and related inserts. There are five other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Essential Library of the Civil War titles: Civil War Causes, African Americans in the Civil War, Women in the Civil War, Civil War Leaders, and Civil War Aftermath and Reconstruction.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 First Facts: Life and Times series. This volume gives young readers a cursory explanation of the colonists' dissatisfaction with British rule and the push for independence; George Washington's role as leader of the Continental Army and his election as the first president are also featured. Illustrations, archival art, maps, and sidebars provide additional information and interest. Bold vocabulary words are defined on each page. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Zoom In on Legendary Leaders series. These titles offer a superficial first glance at the lives of six influential leaders (all male), their accomplishments/impact on others, and their place in history. The historical photos, paintings, and drawings add depth to brief texts that align to Common Core Standards. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Zoom In on Legendary Leaders titles: Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Cesar Chavez, George Washington, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(2) YA Illustrated by Gareth Hinds. This excellent biography of Japan's legendary samurai has great appeal as military history. Turner's action-packed accounts of Yoshitsune's daring and courageous feats in battle and his ensuing meteoric rise through the ranks of the samurai make for compelling reading. Hinds's digitally assisted brush-and-ink illustrations heighten the mood and atmosphere throughout. More than seventy pages of back matter provide further support for readers. Timelines. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(4) 4-6 Civil War series. These broad overviews of the Civil War touch on the conflict over slavery and states' rights and significant events preceding the war; and include a straightforward account of the war and its aftermath and brief vignettes of key personalities. Boxes of text and sidebars are placed atop archival photos, illustrations, and overly decorative graphics. Common Core activities are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Civil War titles: The Battle Over Slavery, Yankees and Rebels, and The U.S. Civil War.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Revolutionary War series. These books offer an abbreviated account of events preceding, during, and following the colonists' fight for independence. Brief biographies showcase leaders of both sides, causes and effects of the conflict are broadly recounted, and a simple chronology highlights significant events. Boxes of text and sidebars are placed atop illustrations and overly decorative graphics. Common Core activities are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Revolutionary War titles: Patriots and Redcoats,Battle for a New Nation, and The Revolutionary War.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Perspectives on History series. "What could lead a distinguished general to betray the Patriot cause?" The book tackles that question by examining Arnold's military successes and frustrations as well as his flawed, insecure personality. Sidebars vary in value and relevant placement, but there's lots of interesting history here. Though he's mostly maligned, the narrative does humanize the notorious traitor. Common Core critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 American Revolution series. These books discuss the causes of the Revolutionary War, major battles, and the leaders involved on both sides. Plenty of archival art, maps, and a few photos break up the accessible texts into manageable sections. As a whole, the series gives readers an overview of events and players; exploration of specific topics is superficial. All but Leaders include a timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Revolution titles: The American Revolution, Early Battles of the American Revolution, Final Years of the American Revolution, and Leaders & Generals of the American Revolution

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Hero Journals series. Two great military leaders from the ancient world are profiled. Thorough first-person narratives detail their early lives through their rise and fall as generals. The scrapbook layout of maps, illustrations, and photos further supports the journal premise, but the scriptlike font makes reading difficult. A journaling prompt is appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hero Journals titles: Alexander the Great and Hannibal of Carthage.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Inspiring Collective Biographies series. These revised editions of books originally published as part of the Collective Biographies series provide surveys of pioneers in various fields (computers, the arts, exploration, etc.). Each volume contains ten biographical profiles, illustrated with black-and-white photographs. The writing can be flat, but the profiles will serve as adequate starting points for those doing basic research. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Inspiring Collective Biographies titles: Harlem Renaissance Artists and Writers, Amazing American Inventors of the 20th Century, Fighting U.S. Generals of World War II, Innovators of American Jazz, Pioneering American Computer Geniuses, and Daredevil American Heroes of Exploration and Flight.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Hero Journals series. Two great military leaders from the ancient world are profiled. Thorough first-person narratives detail their early lives through their rise and fall as generals. The scrapbook layout of maps, illustrations, and photos further supports the journal premise, but the scriptlike font makes reading difficult. A journaling prompt is appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hero Journals titles: Alexander the Great and Hannibal of Carthage.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Civil War series. This series gives an abbreviated account of slavery and the ensuing war that divided the nation. Major battles are briefly covered, as well as the roles Lincoln, Davis, Lee, Grant, and Jackson played in the conflicts. The contributions of abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman are highlighted. Illustrations and archival photographs enhance the lackluster texts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Civil War titles: Early Battles, The Final Years, Leaders and Generals, and Slavery.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 World War II series. Hamilton presents an abbreviated overview of major topics related to World War II. Although each book is independent, readers must rely on the entire series for continuity. The information provided is very limited, but the simple, straightforward texts may appeal to reluctant readers and military buffs. Archival photographs and maps enhance the volumes. Glos., ind. Review covers these World War II titles: Early Battles, The Final Years, Leaders and Generals, and Turning Points.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Michael Foreman. This reissue of the first book Foreman illustrated (published in 1961 when he was in art school) tells of a general who sees the error of his ways. After spending a day in the countryside admiring the flowers, he sends his soldiers home to cultivate their own communities. Foreman's striking watercolor and gouache illustrations, although dated, are the strength of this morality tale.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Demi provides basic information about the life of Alexander the Great, from his boyhood and adolescent learning (Aristotle was his tutor), through his exploits as a leader and warrior, to his death surrounded by soldiers; some mythology (e.g., the oracle at Delphi: "You are invincible!") is also incorporated. The text is accompanied by vivid, lavish illustrations in Demi's recognizable style.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Military Heroes series. Filled with photographs and archival illustrations, this series presents a range of famous and lesser-known people involved in U.S. military history. In addition to standard biographical details, the texts also examine controversies and career flops as well as successes; sidebars provide historical context. Though the writing is on the bland side, the texts are useful for reports. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Military Heroes titles: Samuel Houston, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., George S. Patton, Clara Barton, John McCain, and Colin Powell.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(2) 4-6 Lafayette, a nobleman in the French court, risked everything to aid the American cause of liberty. He also played a prominent role in the French Revolution and had a long career in French politics. The narrative, written with all of Freedman's characteristic grace and clarity, presents in Lafayette an outsider's perspective on the American Revolution. Illustrated with artwork reproductions. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2010

(4) YA Military Heroes series. Filled with photographs and archival illustrations, this series presents a range of famous and lesser-known people involved in U.S. military history. In addition to standard biographical details, the texts also examine controversies and career flops as well as successes; sidebars provide historical context. Though the writing is on the bland side, the texts are useful for reports. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Military Heroes titles: Samuel Houston, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., George S. Patton, Clara Barton, John McCain, and Colin Powell.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(2) 4-6 In the first half of the book, Murphy describes 1776's multiple military disasters, noting the colonists' loss of confidence and will. This detailed background leads to Washington's climactic crossing of the Delaware River and subsequent defeat of the British at Trenton and Princeton. Pale sepia-toned text and illustrations (including maps and artwork reproductions) give the book a satisfying historical feel. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011