(2) K-3 In 1859, Jean François Gravelet--the Great Blondin--was the world's greatest tightrope walker; Niagara Falls called to him. Tavares's straightforward telling details all the drama of Blondin's multiple crossings, which drew huge crowds...at first, then the spectacle lost its appeal. Tavares's arresting illustrations movingly depict the Falls. An author's note rounds out this sure-footed offering. Bib.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(3) 4-6 Zombie Chasers series. Illustrated by David DeGrand. In book five, Zach and his crew head to Buffalo and Niagara Falls to find a new antidote. The adventure moves south when the gang is flown to Fun World in Orlando, where monorail-riding and go-kart-driving zombies abound. Fans of the series' middle-school humor and gooey illustrations will continue to enjoy the "super zombie war" and look forward to the upcoming Caribbean battle.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. Based on historical documents, O'Neill lyrically recounts determined young Homan Walsh's triumph of constructing and flying a kite across the Niagara River from Canada to New York. His success aided engineers in building the first bridge connecting the countries. Lush full-page acrylic paintings capture the drama of the event. The author's note provides additional information. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(2) K-3 At the turn of the twentieth century, Annie Edson Taylor, widowed and elderly, decides she'll go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, a feat never before attempted. Though the stunt seems miraculous, Van Allsburg's matter-of-fact narrative emphasizes her advance technical planning. Sepia-toned illustrations depict Annie as prim and proper but also convey her grit and determination. An author's note is appended. Bib.

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

(4) K-3 Buddy Books: All Aboard America series. Each of these books features a geographical and historical U.S. landmark. Short chapters cover history, triumphs, challenges, and present-day status of each subject; "Detour" spreads provide additional facts, though in some cases the information is not very well organized. Historical illustrations and average-quality photos break up the text nicely, but captions are not consistently clear or accurate. Glos., ind. Review covers these Buddy Books: All aboard America titles: Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Jamestown, Monticello, Niagara Falls, and Oregon Trail.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Great Disasters: Reforms and Ramifications series. These two series books ably discuss public-health disasters of the late twentieth century: the Indian city's deadly chemical leak of 1984 and Niagara Falls's chemical-waste scandal of the late 1970s. The authors pay special attention to the social changes and government reforms engendered by the tragedies. Poorly reproduced black-and-white photos support the texts. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Great Disasters titles: Love Canal and Bhopal.]

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 American Disasters series. The hurried text explains how the abandoned canal in Niagara Falls, New York, came to be a dumping ground for chemical waste, how it negatively affected the health of area residents, and what attempts the Environmental Protection Agency made to remedy the situation. The accompanying grainy color photographs are sometimes generic in nature. A chart listing other international chemical disasters is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta