(3) 4-6 Captured Television History series. This series examines television's impact on major events. Each volume opens with an engaging account of the main topic, grounding readers in the details. Kennedy-Nixon looks at the history of presidential debates, as well as what preceded and followed the first televised debate. Terrorism covers the ways in which Americans were riveted by nonstop news coverage of the 9/11 attacks, and the U.S.'s subsequent war on terrorism. The "4D" feature is an online video portal. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Captured Television History titles: TV Captures Terrorism on September 11 and TV Shapes Presidential Politics in the Kennedy-Nixon Debates

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) YA In United States History series. In these informative volumes, originally published under slightly different titles in the In American History series, four seminal events in United States history are recounted in detailed but never dull prose. Unfortunately, the black-and-white photos have been removed from these new editions, making for dense packages. There are four other fall 2014 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Ind. Review covers these In United States History titles: The Battle of the Little Bighorn in United States History, The Watergate Scandal in United States History, The Industrial Revolution in United States History, and The Reconstruction of the South After the Civil War in United States History.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Presidential Biographies series. Illustrated with large, clear photographs, these first biographies are inviting and very easy to read. The large-size texts provide a few basic facts about each man and his presidency, giving new readers a broad picture of the subjects. With a table of contents, glossary, and index, these bare-bones primers are good introductions to nonfiction. Reading list, timeline. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Presidential Biographies titles: Richard M. Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Nam: The Vietnam War series. Not a chronological series, these scattered but informative and insightful volumes cover many facets of the controversial war; causes, key players, international involvement, solders' experiences, and effects are all touched on. Small-font text printed on colored backgrounds along with archival photos and inserts on virtually every spread contribute to a cluttered appearance. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Nam: The Vietnam War titles: Causes and Outbreak, Disengagement and Defeat, 1969–1975, The Experience of War, The International War, The Johnson Years, 1965–1968, and The War and U.S. Society.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Pride Star and her two younger siblings are orphans living in remote Minnesota with their grandfather, Old Finn, whose radical political beliefs teach them not to trust anyone. When he's hospitalized, Pride must figure out how to care for the family--and when to ask for help. Against a richly political 1974 setting, O'Connor poignantly explores the indelible bond of siblings.

Reviewer: Betsy Thomas

(4) YA Landmark Supreme Court Cases, Gold Edition series. These volumes (some are revised editions) detail the genesis of each case, related Supreme Court decisions, and the arguments presented by the lawyers for each side. Color photographs and archival illustrations accompany the dry texts, which will best be appreciated by report writers researching the workings of the U.S.'s highest court. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Landmark Supreme Court Cases, Gold Edition titles: The Dred Scott Case, Furman v. Georgia, New York Times v. United States, and District of Columbia v. Heller.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA American History series. Prohibition traces the roots of the temperance movement that led to the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment, then discusses its subsequent repeal. Watergate investigates the motives behind the break-in and the ensuing consequences. Straightforward writing makes the information accessible, but the two-column layout results in a sterile, textbooklike feel. Photographs and reproductions help enliven the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these American History titles: Prohibition and Watergate.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) YA Famous Court Cases That Became Movies series. This series provides detailed accounts of the court cases in question; the movie aspect is both less prominent and less interesting than information about the actual trials (in large part because none of the movies was made anytime recently). Historical photographs and documents are interspersed with movie stills. Sidebars provide related information. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous Court Cases That Became Movies titles: Racism on Trial, Evolution on Trial, Presidential Power on Trial, and The Right to Counsel.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) YA Presidential Leaders series. The books in this series briefly chronicle the lives and achievements of five former presidents. Each volume attempts to portray the subject and the events surrounding his presidency honestly and openly, but the broad overview allows for little depth. Well-captioned photos enhance a bland design. Reading list, source notes, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Presidential Leaders titles: Woodrow Wilson, Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.]

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. These coherent and useful but bland biographies of three twentieth-century presidents have been updated with minor textual additions and a few more bibliographical references. Illustrated with black-and-white photos and reproductions of "source documents" (such as Nixon's letter of resignation), each volume ends with a chapter discussing the historical legacy of its subject. Addresses, reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these United States Presidents titles: Bill Clinton, Harry S. Truman, and Richard M. Nixon.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Notable Americans series. A balanced and measured view of the politically driven, often mean-spirited president whose considerable accomplishments and talents were more than overshadowed by the Watergate fiasco and his ultimate resignation. The simply written text, accompanied by occasional black-and-white photos, effectively employs Nixon quotes from public record. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. Each of these mini-biographies opens with a general introduction to its subject; the following chapters (most of which are two pages) skim the surface of childhoods, achievements before and after being elected, and post-presidential work. Historical photographs and illustrations (one per spread), vital statistics, time lines, and "Fun Facts" are included in all the books. Report writers will glean the facts, but not much more. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. The final chapter of each book, titled "Legacy," provides a good summation of each president's life and political career, but the preceding chapters lack vigor, typified by an undramatic description of Kennedy's assassination and Johnson's sudden assumption of the presidency. The books are illustrated with interesting source documents and too-dark black-and-white photographs. Chronologies are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta