(4) YA Pop Culture Revolutions series. This overview of censorship discusses societies that ban books, reasons for banning, and examples of specific titles and authors. Relevant facts and statistics help make the topic accessible to the target audience. The design features distracting background patterns, and the text can be clumsily written, but this is nevertheless an adequate introduction to the subject. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Pop Culture Revolutions series. From cutting-edge classical music, to blues and grunge, Gilbert superficially explores groundbreaking genres and musicians throughout history. Random text boxes (e.g., "Moshing to the Beat," "Brand Names and Bling") are awkwardly placed but entertaining. The scope of the subject is too large for the format and the chapter organization is disjointed, but this is nevertheless an adequate introduction. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Pop Culture Revolutions series. This outline of the evolution of comic books includes a historical and contemporary overview; it also focuses on the cultural and political issues of war, censorship, and social change in the comic-book world. The interesting issues raised are somewhat diluted by poorly placed facts, images, or anecdotes. Archival photographs and panels from early comics are useful. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen