(4) 4-6 Matters of Opinion series. Each slim volume models persuasive essay writing and broadly introduces an oft-debated school-related social issue. Chapters open with a key question, followed by arguments (first "Yes," then "No") that advance a thesis. Follow-up sections highlight the debate techniques implemented. Relevant stock photos break up the somewhat choppy texts. Essay-writing guidelines are appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Matters of Opinion titles: School Violence, Bullying, and Cell Phones.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) YA Cutting Edge Technology series. Numerous current (as of publication) products of biotechnology research and industry are featured in this book. Innovations such as medical robots, assistive devices, artificial organs, and smart sensors, as well as precision medicine, are described in detail, but explanations of the underlying scientific principles are lacking. Photographs of the various devices in development or in use accompany the dense text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Deadliest Predators series. After a general introduction titled "Born to Be Predators," six chapters cover individual types of mammals (lion, wolverine, honey badger, etc.). Topics include appearance, habitat, hunting and capturing prey, and threat-level to humans; the text's tone is sometimes reassuring, sometimes gruesome. "At-a-Glance" sidebars are useful for comparison. The dense text is off-putting, but the many photos should fascinate fierce-and-furry-creature fans. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Collective Biographies series. Following a brief introduction describing historical obstacles to women's careers in sciences or leadership, each volume profiles six successful women and their rise to influence. Each fairly short bio narrates the ups and downs of its subject's career, and most paint the woman as an encouraging role model. Photographs, sidebars, and pull-quotes liven up the dense, textbook-like presentations. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Collective Biographies: Women Scientists and Inventors and Women World Leaders.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Matters of Opinion series. This book examines three school lunch–related issues: what should be served, how much government control there should be, and what the schools' involvement in nutrition should be. In addition to the pros and cons of each and a final writing assignment, three debate techniques--fact vs. opinion, propaganda, and examining evidence--are also analyzed. Sidebars and captioned photos support the choppy text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Living History series. This series emphasizes social history and forefronts family life, community organization, religious practices, education systems, and inventions. Pull-out boxes define some words, but a glossary would have been helpful. Translated snippets from famous texts are short and useful, whereas the illustrations are perfunctory at best. Each volume is adequately researched, offering standard information and perspectives. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Living History titles: Life During Medieval Times, Life During the Roman Empire, and Life in Ancient Mesopotamia.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Extraterrestrial Life series. Aliens as fact and fiction and the basis for their existence (or lack thereof) are recounted in painstaking detail in this series. The books are generally accessible. For some (especially Search), strong interest and aptitude in astronomy and physics would help comprehension. Some drawings and photographs, along with sidebars, help liven up these textbooklike volumes. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Extraterrestrial Life titles: Are Extraterrestrials a Threat to Human Life?, The Search for Extraterrestrial Life, Aliens in Pop Culture, Alien Encounters, and UFOs.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA Inside Science series. Allman examines cutting-edge topics in infectious disease research, from antibiotic resistance to global pandemics. After some history of the field, the volume examines current basic and applied research studies, and the historical and contemporary scientists engaged in the work. Color photographs and diagrams supplement the dense text, and unfamiliar words are defined in text boxes. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Hot Topics series. These series entries provide useful overviews of their topics. The information is fairly well contextualized in the main texts and further supported through sidebars and pull-quotes. Many photographs (some illogically placed or only marginally related to the subjects), in addition to charts and graphs, appear throughout. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Hot Topics titles: Eating Disorders and Body Image.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Inside Science series. Each volume's introduction presents the story of an individual who has benefited from the title therapy. Chapters describing the therapy, its history, evolution, challenges, and hopes for the future follow, with additional personal stories woven throughout. Photos and diagrams help clarify the complex science, but most readers will need significant prior knowledge to aid in comprehension. Reading list, timeline. Ind. Review covers these Inside Science titles: Vaccine Research, Gene Therapy Research, and Stem Cell Research.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Crime Scene Investigations series. This series emphasizes the collaborative efforts of science and law enforcement and examines the skills, determination, resources, and technologies used to solve crimes. Sidebars and photographs combine with the texts to highlight evidence gathering and interpretation, statistics, and career information. The writing is dense, but criminal justice enthusiasts will appreciate the thorough presentation. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Crime Scene Investigations titles: The Homicide Detective, The 9/11 Investigation, The Columbine School Shootings, The Murder of Emmett Till, and K-9 Police Units.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Diseases & Disorders series. One common foreword and a short introduction specific to each volume lead to chapters defining the condition and explaining diagnosis, treatment, and current research. The writing is straightforward but not particularly engaging. Some schematic drawings of human cells and organs are included, but most of the illustrations are generic photos. There are four other spring 2010 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Diseases & Disorders titles: Autism, Depression, Acne, and MRSA.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) YA Hot Topics series. These volumes provide broad overviews of their teen-relevant topics. The main texts are supported by sidebars and pull-quotes. Though a good number of stock photographs are included, readers will have trouble taking some of them seriously (e.g., a "gang" of suburban-looking teens hanging at an outdoor mall). Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Hot Topics titles: Cliques, Gangs, and Racism.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Great Idea series. These books explore the invention of and benefits offered by two technological devices. Nexi addresses the challenge of developing social robots; Bionic of designing prostheses to incorporate the complexity of emulating the brain-to-nervous-system connection. "Did You Know?" sidebars and illustrations add to accessibility for readers, but babyish book design may deter them. Nexi includes a reading list. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Idea titles: The Nexi Robot and The Bionic Hand.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Great Idea series. Technologies behind ecologically conscious products and processes are revealed through brief explanations of the cultural and lifestyle practices that necessitated them and the creative minds that developed them. "Did You Know?" sidebars and many captioned photographs help explain the topics for readers, but babyish book design may deter them. Cars and Tires include reading lists. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Idea titles: Recycled Tires, Home Windmills, Water from Air, and Hybrid Cars.

Reviewer: Claudia Harrington DeShay

(4) 4-6 Great Idea series. These books introduce the creation, development, and significance of each product. A diagram of the hydraulic system, personal stories, and pictures of rescue operations enhance Life. LEGO's role in education and team-building skills and its contribution to the "system of play" are discussed in Toys. Though the subjects will be of interest to readers, babyish book design may deter them. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Idea titles: The Jaws of Life and LEGO Toys.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. This book presents descriptions, histories, and personal anecdotes of seemingly miraculous occurrences. Alternative explanations are addressed in the sidebars as well as the text. Most miracles described have the expected Christian references, though an attempt is made to include anecdotes from several religions. Cheesy stock photos and illustrations break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) YA Crime Scene Investigations series. This series examines the skills, resources, technologies, and determination needed to solve crime, with an emphasis on the collaborative efforts between law-enforcement agents and forensic scientists, when applicable. Sidebars and photographs shed light on evidence gathering and interpretation, notable cases, career information, and statistics. The writing is dense, but readers interested in criminal justice will appreciate the level of detail. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Crime Scene Investigations titles: Poisoning, The O. J. Simpson Murder Trial, Computer Hacking, and The Case of the Zodiac Killer.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) YA Genes & Disease series. Brief case histories (including some celebrities) help personalize these introductions to the fundamentals of genetic science (cells, DNA, etc.) and disease histories. The volumes cover diagnosis, research, breakthroughs, treatments, and gene therapy. Diabetes and Alzheimer's address stem cell research. Though the texts are dense, readers interested in the subject will find them useful. Diagrams and some photographs are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Genes & Disease titles: Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and Hemophilia.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Mysterious & Unknown series. This volume offers a detailed exploration of the mysterious ancient monument. Its history, legends, and possible purpose (a recently proposed theory of royal graveyard isn't included) are all examined. Pull-quotes, sidebars, photos, and illustrations break up the dense text (although they are often poorly placed). Many of the lengthy captions are lifted directly and repeated from the main texts. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi