(4) YA Teen Guide to Finances series. Introductory concepts about entrepreneurship and personal finance are discussed in these dense texts. The topics, which range from general money management to future-planning, have an overarching theme of fiscal responsibility. The content is strong, but the dull layouts feel dated, and there are too few charts and other visuals to help clarify the concepts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Teen Guide to Finances titles: Teen Guide to Credit and Debt, Teen Guide to Saving and Investing, Teen Guide to Paying for College, and Teen Guide to Starting a Business.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) YA Be Smart About Money and Financial Literacy series. These bland-looking volumes provide useful, practical advice about topics related to "financial literacy." The direct-address texts ("Even though you work and make money, do you sometimes feel like you never have any cash?") are accessible if a little dry. Sidebars provide "good sense" and "nonsense" tips; word problem "Do the Math" exercises allow readers to practice applying what they've learned. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Be Smart About Money and Financial Literacy titles: Be Smart About Your Career, Be Smart About Your Future, Be Smart About Money, Be Smart About Credit, Be Smart About Investing, and Be Smart About Shopping.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 The stock market is an unusual topic for a light middle-grade novel, but it largely pays off here. While twelve-year-old Lindy is laid up with mono, her dad teaches her about online trading. She's soon hooked and tempted to take bigger risks with money that's not her own. The finer points of high finance are explored less than are the risks of gambling.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA Jonah, a young financial prodigy, is excited to work with an aggressive trader who makes millions a day on the trading floor where his dad works. But Jonah quickly learns the dangers of high-stakes deals when he uncovers an international insider trader ring. This book provides a primer in investment banking but reads like an action movie--fast-paced, improbable, and wildly entertaining.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) YA Milestones in American History series. These volumes provide accessible, lively introductions to important time periods in American history. After presenting background information, the books focus on people and events that helped shape the nation. Many quotations, sidebars, art reproductions, and maps support the texts. Excerpts from primary source materials also help give readers a sense of time and place. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Milestones in American History titles: The Stock Market Crash of 1929, The Monroe Doctrine, The Transcontinental Railroad, and The Treaty of Paris.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) 4-6 American Moments series. Highlighting specific moments in American history, these overviews discuss events as well as what preceded and followed them, and introduce prominent people involved. Despite their dry tone, the books, illustrated with stock photos, will be useful resources for school reports. There are seven other spring 2004 books in this series. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Moments titles: The Boston Tea Party, The Great Depression, The Assassination of John F. Kennedy, The California Gold Rush, and The Gettysburg Address.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(4) 4-6 Days That Shook the World series. From circumstances preceding each featured incident to its aftermath, the books in this well-researched series present accounts of these historical events. The accessible text is enhanced by archival material and quotes from prominent individuals. A final chapter briefly looks at the possiblities had the event not occurred. The tight design is somewhat off-putting. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind [Review covers these Days That Shook the World titles: The Kennedy Assassination and The Wall Street Crash.]

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(2) 4-6 Tracing the trajectory of the 1929 stock market crash across six days, Blumenthal provides a vividly drawn picture of Wall Street pandemonium, introduces key players, and explains often complex concepts. Illustrated with well-chosen black-and-white photos and reproductions (including editorial cartoons, balance sheets, and newspaper ads), the text contains colorful details that enhance the overarching story. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2003

(4) 4-6 This book covers the basics, including how the market works and investment vehicles. A conversational tone and kid-friendly examples enliven the discussion, but frequent interjections from risk-averse "Pete Pretend," risk-taker "Marcie Makebelieve," and middle-of-the-road "Frankie Fictional" become tiresome. Photos, text boxes, definitions, and different typefaces help break up the text but contribute to a distracting design. Books, websites, and resources are appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) YA Exploring Business and Economics series. The books in this series focus on an aspect of economics and provide, where applicable, both historical and contemporary perspectives. Though blandly written, the books explain sometimes complicated concepts in an accessible fashion. Graphs and photos (which are occasionally repeated in more than one volume) accompany the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Y.A. Exploring Business and Economics titles: Investing Your Money, The Stock Market, World Trade, Money and Banking, Taxes, The Economy, Personal Finance. ]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Exploring Business and Economics series. The books in this series focus on an aspect of economics and provide, where applicable, both historical and contemporary perspectives. Though blandly written, the books explain sometimes complicated concepts in an accessible fashion. Graphs and photos (which are occasionally repeated in more than one volume) accompany the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Y.A. Exploring Business and Economics titles: Investing Your Money, The Stock Market, World Trade, Money and Banking, Taxes, The Economy, Personal Finance. ]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta