(4) 4-6 Stealing a car sends disobedient seventh grader Dylan to Papua New Guinea with ex-marine Uncle Todd in search of a downed WWII bomber flown by Dylan's grandfather. Defiant Dylan separates from the search team and finds himself in perilous jungle surroundings where survival requires suspension of his arrogant, impulsive attitude. Despite some predictability, adventure and pathos combine for a satisfying story.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(2) 4-6 Scientists in the Field series. Photographs by Nic Bishop. Montgomery and Bishop travel with scientist Lisa Dabek to the remote mountains of New Guinea in search of the rare Matschie's tree kangaroo. Montgomery describes the trip in detail, and her friendliness and curiosity set the tone: she enthusiastically engages with the people, plants, and animals she encounters on the trip. Bishop's photography is outstanding, and seamlessly integrated into the narrative. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2007

(4) 4-6 Artisans Around the World series. Each volume highlights four areas or countries, presenting basic geographic and historic facts, statistics, time lines, small photos, and a craft project intended to convey an "understanding [of] geography and history through art." While the directions are specific, the projects are extremely complex (e.g., creating felt from raw wool), making these books best suited to classroom use. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Major World Nations series. This formulaic study provides basic information about the country's history, government, people, and culture. While undeniably informative, the encyclopedia-style prose and bland black-and-white photos probably will relegate this book mainly to report-writing students. The volume contains an insert of postcard-quality color plates, a fact sheet, and a map. There are twenty-two other titles in this series. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the World series. In each book, a clear and informative text covers geography, history, language, festivals, and more. Specific topics include the high turnover of politicians, ritual scar designs, and betel nut chewing in 'Papua New Guinea', and microeconomic policy, Maori activists, and "going bush" in 'New Zealand'. Maps and a page of basic facts round out these useful books, which contain captioned color photographs. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Colors of the World series. Brief but absorbing, this book uses ten colors to introduce young readers to Australia's history, culture, wildlife, and geographic attributes. Each double-page spread features one color, whether it's the gray of a kangaroo or the white of the Sydney Opera House, and has bold, appropriately toned gouache illustrations to match. A simple map is included. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the World series. In each book, a clear and informative text covers geography, history, language, festivals, and more. Specific topics include the high turnover of politicians, ritual scar designs, and betel nut chewing in 'Papua New Guinea', and microeconomic policy, Maori activists, and "going bush" in 'New Zealand'. Maps and a page of basic facts round out these useful books, which contain captioned color photographs. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Cities of the World series. A brief introduction to the history, culture, daily life, and people of this Australian city focuses on its roots as an English penal colony and its present-day multicultural makeup. Also included is a discussion of the city's points of interest. Oversized full-color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations, sidebars, "Fast Facts," a chronology, and a map are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.