(3) 4-6 Captured Science History series. This installment in the Captured History spinoff series examines the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear spill in Ukraine and the photographic documentation of it. The chilling photos by Igor Kostin, Volodymyr Repik, and others shook the world when they were released. An engaging and thought-provoking discussion of the disaster's scientific and historical impact is profusely illustrated with these archival images. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) YA Vault of Dreamers series. To find her missing family, Rosie Sinclair heads into a nuclear contamination zone. Rosie here concludes her fight against the evil Dean Berg, who mines dreams and sells them to rejuvenate damaged brains. The dystopian series (The Vault of Dreamers; The Rule of Mirrors) comes to an acceptable close that raises some interesting questions about singular versus collective consciousness.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(4) 4-6 Alternative Energy series. This series covers energy sources that are alternatives to fossil fuels. Each volume describes historical uses of the resource, explains the technologies that harness the resources, and touches on current and future uses. Participatory sections (labeled "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think") emphasize nonfiction literacy practices but are sometimes weakly related. Stock photographs and diagrams help clarify information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternative Energy titles: Biofuels, Solar Energy, Hydroelectric Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Nuclear Energy, Ocean Energy, and Wind Energy.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Are Energy Sources? series. The six titles in this series give basic information about each energy source, including the technology of how the energy is harnessed and the pros and cons of each source. Doeden's writing is choppy as he explains complex concepts in simple terms (with some generalizations); stock photos, captions, and diagrams help illuminate the concepts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Book: What Are Energy Sources? titles: Finding Out About Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas, Finding Out About Geothermal Energy, Finding Out About Hydropower, Finding Out About Nuclear Energy, Finding Out About Solar Energy, and Finding Out About Wind Energy.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) YA Madeline Landry (Landry Park) finds herself at odds with her fellow revolutionaries--including her boyfriend, David--when she suspects a low-class Rootless man of murdering gentry heirs. Nevertheless, she continues her fight to unite both social classes and prevent a war. This fast-paced blend of Jane Austen influences and dystopian literature expertly incorporates romance and science, bringing the duology to a satisfying conclusion.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) YA Harnessing Energy series. These brief books present balanced--even scholarly--overviews of major energy sources. Workmanlike prose covers some history for each source; describes capturing/production techniques; and, importantly, examines the contributions and costs of each source: e.g., the relative safety of non-extractives such as solar and wind power versus the lesser yields, intermittent production, and effects on wildlife. Excellent captioned photos illustrate the texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review includes these Harnessing Energy titles: Coal Power, Hydropower, Natural Gas Power, Nuclear Power, Solar Power, and Wind Power.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) YA Elite heiress Madeline Landry, who must forgo university for an arranged marriage, befriends the enigmatic David Dana. His ties to the Rootless slaves, who maintain the gentry's nuclear energy sources, force her to question her beliefs and contemplate rebellion. This futuristic science-fiction saga expertly blends elements of dystopias and nineteenth-century British fiction.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) YA Bortz clearly explains the science underlying the 2011 disaster at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. After a discussion of earthquakes and tsunamis, the focus shifts to nuclear physics, notorious nuclear disasters (including Fukushima), and the debate about the safety of nuclear power and its alternatives. Color diagrams and photographs effectively illustrate the aftermath of the disasters. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Worlds of Wonder series. Singer's conversational yet scientifically advanced narrative explains nuclear physics and the potential of nuclear fusion as a source of nearly limitless energy. This is a blow-by-blow account of cutting-edge science in the making, with detailed profiles of scientists, their equipment, and their ideas in labs in the U.S. and France. Color photographs and diagrams illustrate the complex concepts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Future Energy series. These volumes present a mix of scientific facts about various sources of energy and discussions of the need for reducing our dependence on the diminishing supplies of environmentally unsound fossil fuels. The books oversimplify some complex concepts, but the information is well laid out and may encourage readers to seek more comprehensive volumes. Glos., ind. Review covers these Future Energy titles: Fossil Fuels, Geothermal, Biomass, and Hydrogen, Nuclear Energy, Solar Power, Wind and Water, and World in Crisis.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA World Transformed series. With an emphasis on how history has been transformed by their subjects, these straightforward and engrossing texts incorporate anecdotes and quotations, bright design elements, archival photographs, and plenty of sidebars. Oil ranges from the first-known use of oil to present-day environmental concerns, while Atomic proceeds from the Manhattan Project to present-day nuclear threats and international treaties. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these World Transformed titles: The Story of Oil and The Story of the Atomic Bomb.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) YA Global Organizations series. These books highlight the interconnectedness of the modern world, focusing on governmental organizations and international associations. Readers will gain insight into today's oil, energy, and banking crises (though the information isn't up-to-the-minute) and learn about governmental challenges. The writing is dry, but some personal stories and well-captioned photographs enliven the texts. There are four other fall 2008 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review includes these Global Organizations titles: The African Union, The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, The International Atomic Energy Agency, and The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Fueling the Future series. This series argues that global environmental change demands the development of alternative forms of energy production, and it presents several options. Accompanied by simple diagrams and photographs, the texts convey basic scientific concepts underlying these alternative sources. The pros and cons, facts and figures are adequate; however, more complete descriptions would have improved the usefulness of the series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fueling the Future titles: Solar Energy, Fossil Fuels and Biofuels, Nuclear Energy, and Water and Geothermal Energy.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Eye on Energy series. This series presents basic information about energy use and conservation. The page design is busy, but the text and photographs provide a useful overview of different types of energy. A variety of sidebars adds further background and facts. The pro-conservation viewpoint is clear, though the books discuss both advantages and disadvantages of each form of energy. Glos., ind. Review covers these Eye on Energy titles: Alternative Cars, Fossil Fuels, Nature Power, Nuclear Power, and Renewable Fuels.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) YA What Do You Think? series. These books clarify terms, quote some research and opinions on both sides, suggest critical thinking and evaluation skills, and coach readers in debate techniques. Though it's not nuanced or deep, the material reasonably introduces the subjects for beginning debaters. Photographs, charts, sidebars, and numerous headings make pages look busy. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Do You Think? titles: Is Nuclear Power Safe? and Is Television a Bad Influence?.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Science Quest series. This book incorporates scientists' biographies within the social and scientific histories of radiation experimentation. A running timeline helps clarify events, but Jerome uses scientific terms (e.g., atomic weight, Crooke's tube) without sufficient explanation. The page layout is clean and generally well designed (although one spread shows a full-page, full-color atomic explosion opposite the chapter head "Contributions"). Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Essential Energy series. Transfer explores the science behind different forms of energy, including heat, chemical, and waves. Nuclear takes a focused look at the complex scientific, political, and economic implications surrounding the topic. The dry, dense technical texts are supported by many photographs, diagrams, and other visual aids. Transfer appends a section on "Measuring Energy"; Nuclear includes a timeline. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Energy titles: Energy Transfer and Nuclear Energy.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Science Files series. Despite their busy pages and hyperbolic phrases on the cover ("Discover the amazing world of coal..."), these books offer accurate, accessible information about energy sources. Short subdivisions contain readable text, and illustrations range from color photos to cutaway and other diagrams. Related environmental and health issues are addressed in a balanced way. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Files titles: Coal, Nuclear Energy, Oil & Gas, Solar Power, Water Power, and Wind Power.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Days That Shook the World series. From circumstances preceding this nuclear accident to its aftermath, this well-researched title presents a comprehensive account of the disaster. An accessible text is enhanced by archival material, maps, diagrams, and quotes from prominent individuals. Though the design is tight, research-driven readers will find the bounty of information useful. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(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 causes, how those causes were determined, and what remedies were attempted. Illustrated with black-and-white photos and a few diagrams, the detailed but uneven texts reward close reading. Chronologies end the books. Chernobyl has a glossary. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Great Disasters: Reforms and Ramifications titles: The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster, The Irish Potato Famine, The Holocaust.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian