(3) K-3 What on Earth? series. Illustrated by Pau Morgan. With the series' trademark hands-on, holistic approach to learning, this book introduces robots through poetry, history, computer science, project instructions, and coding games. Color-coded sections urge readers to "explore" the science concepts, "create" a robot-inspired project, and "investigate" via simple experiments. The muted palette in the appealing digital illustrations and a slightly curled font underscore the book's gentle tone. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Be What You Want series. Bedell is realistic about job requirements and helps readers understand pluses and minuses of veterinary animal care as well as many other careers involving domestic and wild animals, including farming, conservation, training, and research. A dynamic narrative is peppered with "Spotlights" on real professionals, interviews, quizzes, and more, but the layout would benefit from photos instead of dull clip art. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Who HQ: What Was...? series. Illustrated by Tim Foley. The long-running Who Was...? series (originally Grosset, now rebranded by Penguin Workshop) expands its coverage. This readable, informative volume is marred only by the caricatured cover art (typical of the classic series) and bland interior pencil illustrations. Otherwise, the book will give young readers a good sense of Moses's story. Occasional full- and double-page text boxes successfully illuminate related topics; photo insert included. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Who HQ: What Was...? series. Illustrated by David Groff. The long-running Who Was...? series (originally Grosset, now rebranded by Penguin Workshop) expands its coverage. This readable, informative volume is marred only by its bland interior pencil illustrations that are inconsistent in style. Otherwise, the book will give young readers a good sense of the Ice Age. Occasional full- and double-page text boxes successfully illuminate related topics; a black-and-white photo insert is included. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Who HQ: What Was...? series. Illustrated by Gregory Copeland. The long-running Who Was...? series (originally Grosset, now rebranded by Penguin Workshop) expands its coverage. This readable, informative volume is marred only by the caricatured cover art (typical of the classic series) and bland, muddy interior pencil illustrations. Otherwise, the book will give young readers a good sense of rock-and-roll history. Occasional full- and double-page text boxes successfully illuminate related topics; photo insert included. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 What on Earth? series. Illustrated by Pau Morgan. This colorful, charmingly illustrated exploration of bees encourages a hands-on, holistic approach to learning, combining poetry, myths, history, scientific explanations, and project instructions. Color-coded sections urge readers to "explore" the science concepts, "create" a bee-inspired poem or projects (e.g., a life cycle–themed board game), and "investigate" via simple experiments. The muted palette and slightly curled font further the book's gentle tone. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life series. Russo presents cursory overviews of branches of military service with insider-y details about what it's like to be in each. Enlistment, physical requirements, special training, housing, weapons and equipment, and special assignments are briefly described in accessible texts aimed at third and fourth graders. Photographs add interest, but odd cropping and busy layouts detract from the presentations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life titles: Surprising Facts About Being an Air Force Airman and Surprising Facts About Being an Army Soldier.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life series. Russo presents cursory overviews of branches of military service with insider-y details about what it's like to be in each. Enlistment, physical requirements, special training, housing, weapons and equipment, and special assignments are briefly described in accessible texts aimed at third and fourth graders. Photographs add interest, but odd cropping and busy layouts detract from the presentations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life titles: Surprising Facts About Being an Air Force Airman and Surprising Facts About Being an Army Soldier.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 What on Earth? series. Illustrated by Pau Morgan. This colorful, charmingly illustrated exploration of wind encourages a hands-on, holistic approach to learning, combining poetry, myths, history, scientific explanations, and project instructions. Color-coded sections urge readers to "explore" the science concepts, "create" a wind-inspired poem or projects such as a pinwheel, and "investigate" via simple experiments. The muted palette and slightly curled font further the book's gentle tone. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Can We Do about Pollution? series. Though standard (and somewhat choppy) in describing the types of pollution or waste in each category and the problems they create, these texts may extend kids' outlooks and interest in the subjects. Illustrated with appropriate color photos and infographics, the books conclude with ways in which adults and kids can help, including writing to their representatives in government. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Can We Do About Pollution titles: Transportation Pollution, Nuclear Pollution, Agricultural Pollution, Manufacturing Pollution, Household Waste, and Fossil Fuel Pollution.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Be What You Want series. This tween guide engagingly outlines various programming career paths, interviews coders of all ages and experiences, provides historical context, and quizzes its readers; the book specifically highlights successful women in STEM fields. Readers not dissuaded by the sometimes-confusing layout, protracted sidebars, and a lack of visuals (other than dull clip art) will find a lot of useful information here. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Can We Do about Pollution? series. Though standard (and somewhat choppy) in describing the types of pollution or waste in each category and the problems they create, these texts may extend kids' outlooks and interest in the subjects. Illustrated with appropriate color photos and infographics, the books conclude with ways in which adults and kids can help, including writing to their representatives in government. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Can We Do About Pollution titles: Transportation Pollution, Nuclear Pollution, Agricultural Pollution, Manufacturing Pollution, Household Waste, and Fossil Fuel Pollution.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Can We Do about Pollution? series. Though standard (and somewhat choppy) in describing the types of pollution or waste in each category and the problems they create, these texts may extend kids' outlooks and interest in the subjects. Illustrated with appropriate color photos and infographics, the books conclude with ways in which adults and kids can help, including writing to their representatives in government. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Can We Do About Pollution titles: Transportation Pollution, Nuclear Pollution, Agricultural Pollution, Manufacturing Pollution, Household Waste, and Fossil Fuel Pollution.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Can We Do about Pollution? series. Though standard (and somewhat choppy) in describing the types of pollution or waste in each category and the problems they create, these texts may extend kids' outlooks and interest in the subjects. Illustrated with appropriate color photos and infographics, the books conclude with ways in which adults and kids can help, including writing to their representatives in government. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Can We Do About Pollution titles: Transportation Pollution, Nuclear Pollution, Agricultural Pollution, Manufacturing Pollution, Household Waste, and Fossil Fuel Pollution.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Is Digital Citizenship? series. Each volume addresses middle-grade kids directly, suggesting practical moves (skim websites to determine usefulness), warnings (never plagiarize), and critical thinking (what is the website's purpose: to inform or advertise?). Cautions about personal safety, appropriate language and sites, spam, and other issues are firm but not frightening. Color photos show kids using computers, laptops, and smartphones alone and with adults. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Is Digital Citizenship? titles: Digital Safety Smarts, Smart Internet Surfing, Smart Online Communication, and Smart Online Searching.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Is Digital Citizenship? series. Each volume addresses middle-grade kids directly, suggesting practical moves (skim websites to determine usefulness), warnings (never plagiarize), and critical thinking (what is the website's purpose: to inform or advertise?). Cautions about personal safety, appropriate language and sites, spam, and other issues are firm but not frightening. Color photos show kids using computers, laptops, and smartphones alone and with adults. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Is Digital Citizenship? titles: Digital Safety Smarts, Smart Internet Surfing, Smart Online Communication, and Smart Online Searching.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Is Digital Citizenship? series. Each volume addresses middle-grade kids directly, suggesting practical moves (skim websites to determine usefulness), warnings (never plagiarize), and critical thinking (what is the website's purpose: to inform or advertise?). Cautions about personal safety, appropriate language and sites, spam, and other issues are firm but not frightening. Color photos show kids using computers, laptops, and smartphones alone and with adults. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Is Digital Citizenship? titles: Digital Safety Smarts, Smart Internet Surfing, Smart Online Communication, and Smart Online Searching.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges