(3) YA Story of Mexico series. This series covers the history of Mexico from pre-Columbian times to the present. The writing is clear, engaging, and not overly simplified; Stein doesn't shy away from difficult topics such as drug-cartel violence today. Each of the volumes is well designed, with relevant photographs and illustrations. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Ancient Mexico, Emiliano Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, The Mexican-American War, and Modern Mexico.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Stefan Czernecki. This book tells a fictional anecdote about young Emiliano Zapata, who gains a social conscience in boyhood after a gang steals his family's horse. Emiliano goes after them and discovers they became bandidos because, growing up, they "never had enough tortillas to eat." Czernecki's bold black-and-white drawings have some visual appeal, but they unfortunately play into the pistol-toting, sombrero-wearing, Mexican stereotype.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham