(4) YA Tomas's worries of culture shock upon moving to Slovakia are subsumed into larger concerns about saving his cousin’s life, stopping a Vodník from stealing souls, and outsmarting Death herself. The wry humor and likable protagonist are dulled a bit by too many convenient plot twists, but the unusual setting and intriguing elements from Slovakian fairy tales save the day.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(4) 4-6 Looking at Europe series. Originally published in the Netherlands, this series about emerging and lesser-known European countries features photographs (including pictures of contemporary kids), maps, illustrations, and graphs. Each book covers the country's history, people and culture, geography, and place in Europe today. There are a few translation quirks and the text is somewhat dry, but the series is a useful addition to a collection. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Looking at Europe titles: Looking at Latvia, Looking at the Czech Republic, Looking at Lithuania, Looking at Estonia, Looking at Slovakia, and Looking at Slovenia.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Cultures of the World series. These in-depth country studies cover everything from geography, history, the environment, and government to food, lifestyles, and the people living in each of these Balkan countries. The wooden prose may turn off casual readers, but report writers will find plenty of information and many clear photographs. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Cultures of the World titles: Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, and Macedonia.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) 4-6 World's Children series. Photographs by Elaine Little. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) YA Illustrated with color photos, this textbook-like volume is organized by country, with sections on geography and people and detailed descriptions of each nation's history. A map and flag chapter is followed by a time line and an "Encyclopedia" section on people, minority groups, important cities, and more. Though it will date quickly, the book will be useful for serious students needing research materials. Ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA In the sequel to I Have Lived a Thousand Years, the author tells how, having survived Auschwitz, she returned to Czechoslovakia with her mother and brother to try to rebuild their lives. The story of this talented, courageous teenager reaching out for friendship, security, and even romance is interspersed with vivid and horrifying accounts of both wartime memories and post-Holocaust traumas.

Reviewer:

(4) YA Immigrant Experience series. Boasting a respectable group of consulting editors, these books explain why these groups left their homelands, how they adapted to American life while preserving their traditions and culture, and how they have contributed to and influenced American society. Though the texts are sometimes repetitious, there is a wealth of information here. Illustrated with black-and-white photos, the books also contain inserts of very outdated color photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli