(4) 4-6 Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life series. Russo presents cursory overviews of branches of military service with insider-y details about what it's like to be in each. Enlistment, physical requirements, special training, housing, weapons and equipment, and special assignments are briefly described in accessible texts aimed at third and fourth graders. Photographs add interest, but odd cropping and busy layouts detract from the presentations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life titles: Surprising Facts About Being an Air Force Airman and Surprising Facts About Being an Army Soldier.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life series. Russo presents cursory overviews of branches of military service with insider-y details about what it's like to be in each. Enlistment, physical requirements, special training, housing, weapons and equipment, and special assignments are briefly described in accessible texts aimed at third and fourth graders. Photographs add interest, but odd cropping and busy layouts detract from the presentations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life titles: Surprising Facts About Being an Air Force Airman and Surprising Facts About Being an Army Soldier.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution series. These dense, detailed volumes examine specific aspects of the American Revolution. Full-color illustrations, maps, and charts are featured throughout and serve as welcome breaks from the almost-overlong narratives. Still, the books are thoroughly researched and well written and will please young history buffs (and their teachers). Critical thinking questions are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. The review covers the following What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution titles: The Untold Story of the Battle of Saratoga and The Untold Story of the Black Regiment.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution series. These dense, detailed volumes examine specific aspects of the American Revolution. Full-color illustrations, maps, and charts are featured throughout and serve as welcome breaks from the almost-overlong narratives. Still, the books are thoroughly researched and well written and will please young history buffs (and their teachers). Critical thinking questions are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. The review covers the following What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution titles: The Untold Story of the Battle of Saratoga and The Untold Story of the Black Regiment.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 I Want to Know About series. This superficial volume introduces twelve dinosaurs, from the Ankylosaurus to the Iguanodon to the T. rex. Each double-page spread features a brief text with random (albeit interesting) facts, a chart indicating size relative to humans, and one or two illustrations. Casual browsers will be satisfied; report writers will need additional sources. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 I Want to Know About series. This superficial volume introduces twelve sea creatures, from coral to octopuses to walruses. Right-hand pages typically feature a large color photo; on the left, a brief text contains a few basic facts, and a small illustration shows the relative size of each creature compared to a familiar object. Report writers will need additional sources. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 I Want to Know About series. This superficial volume introduces twelve mammals, from the blue whale to the fruit bat to the rhino. Right-hand pages typically feature a large color photo; on the left, a brief text contains a few basic facts, and a small illustration shows the relative size of each creature compared to a familiar object. Report writers will need additional sources. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 I Want to Know About series. Each of these superficial volumes introduces twelve animals, from a komodo dragon to an axolotl. Right-hand pages typically feature a large color photo; on the left, a brief text contains a few basic facts, and a small illustration shows the relative size of each creature compared to a familiar object. Report writers will need additional sources. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these I Want to Know About titles: Amphibians and Reptiles.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 I Want to Know About series. This superficial volume introduces twelve creatures, though the inclusion of snails (not usually considered bugs) and scorpions ("related to spiders") is confusing. Right-hand pages typically feature a large color photo; on the left, a brief text contains a few basic facts, and a small illustration shows the relative size of each animal compared to a familiar object. Report writers will need additional sources. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 I Want to Know About series. Each of these superficial volumes introduces twelve animals, from a komodo dragon to an axolotl. Right-hand pages typically feature a large color photo; on the left, a brief text contains a few basic facts, and a small illustration shows the relative size of each creature compared to a familiar object. Report writers will need additional sources. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these I Want to Know About titles: Amphibians and Reptiles.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. Each of these books presents one hundred facts about the title subject. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volumes' snippets just may entice readers to seek further knowledge. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind. Review covers these 100 Things You Should Know About titles: Archeology and Gladiators.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. Each of these books presents one hundred facts about the title subject. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volumes' snippets just may entice readers to seek further knowledge. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind. Review covers these 100 Things You Should Know About titles: Archeology and Gladiators.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. This book presents one hundred facts about fossils and archaeology. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volume's snippets just may entice readers to seek further information. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. This book presents one hundred facts about extinct and endangered animals and the process of extinction. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volume's snippets just may entice readers to seek further information. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz