(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

(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

(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 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

(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 What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution series. These dense, detailed volumes examine specific aspects of the American Revolution. Full-color illustrations, maps, and charts are featured throughout and serve as welcome breaks from the almost-overlong narratives. Still, the books are thoroughly researched and well written and will please young history buffs (and their teachers). Critical thinking questions are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. The review covers the following What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution titles: The Untold Story of the Battle of Saratoga and The Untold Story of the Black Regiment.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution series. These dense, detailed volumes examine specific aspects of the American Revolution. Full-color illustrations, maps, and charts are featured throughout and serve as welcome breaks from the almost-overlong narratives. Still, the books are thoroughly researched and well written and will please young history buffs (and their teachers). Critical thinking questions are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. The review covers the following What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution titles: The Untold Story of the Battle of Saratoga and The Untold Story of the Black Regiment.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many different dinosaurs. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the various topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they contribute to the overcrowded design and lack of cohesion. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover a wide range of scientific developments and theories, including radiation, sundials, and Albert Einstein's work. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they do little to explain the difficult concepts presented. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of body systems and human life. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though the unflattering drawings of people stand out as unscientific alongside so many detailed diagrams. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 4-6 What About... series. Densely packed double-page spreads cover many aspects of plant and animal life. Page and section headings in addition to "amazing facts" sidebars help readers navigate the different topics; the question-and-answer format leads up to a quiz at the end. Extensive illustrations add interest, though they contribute to the pages' overcrowding. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth