(4) 4-6 FBI Story series. Each volume focuses on an aspect of the FBI's history and/or functions. The texts present anecdotes and background along with some editorializing. Though content overlaps, the series provides a well-rounded view of what the FBI is and what it investigates, from organized crime to kidnapping to terrorism. Copious photos lend accessibility. There are six other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these FBI Story titles: The FBI and Organized Crime, The FBI Files, A History of the FBI, The FBI and National Security, The FBI's Most Wanted, and Investigative Techniques of the FBI.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 FBI Story series. Each volume focuses on an aspect of the FBI's history and/or functions. The texts present anecdotes and background along with some editorializing. Though content overlaps, the series provides a well-rounded view of what the FBI is and what it investigates, from organized crime to kidnapping to terrorism. Copious photos lend accessibility. There are six other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these FBI Story titles: The FBI and Organized Crime, The FBI Files, A History of the FBI, The FBI and National Security, The FBI's Most Wanted, and Investigative Techniques of the FBI.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) 4-6 American Battlefields series. Each book in the series highlights important battles in American history, dropping interesting tidbits that young readers might not have encountered yet (e.g., clarifying that Paul Revere's engraving of the Boston Massacre was inaccurate, but helped to raise support for the colonists' side). Maps, reproduced paintings and photographs, and other graphics complement the information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Battlefields titles: Lexington & Concord, Gettysburg, Little Bighorn, and The Alamo.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 History in Art series. Each first chapter explains, with varying success, the relationship between art and artists. Subsequent chapters give a chronology of the main events of certain periods. Captioned, labeled images serve as examples of artistic conventions, materials, and techniques. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these History in Art titles: Ancient China, Islamic Empires, Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Native Americans, and Middle Ages.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. Each book in this series gives a brief overview of an event that had a lasting and profound effect on U.S. history. The books vary in quality--some more informative and interesting than others--but all are sketchy, lacking in detail. Sidebars, boxed quotes, photographs, and drawings enhance the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Events That Shaped America titles: The Atom Bomb Project, The Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention, The Writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner", The Oregon Trail, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Scottsboro Case.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. This book gives an overview of the U.S. space program from President Kennedy's challenge to the tragedy of Columbia. The treatment of the events is too brief for the time span covered, but readers seeking information for reports might find the book helpful. Sidebars, photographs, and drawings enhance the text. Activities, reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. Each book in this series gives a brief overview of an event that had a lasting and profound effect on U.S. history. The books vary in quality--some more informative and interesting than others--but all are sketchy, lacking in detail. Sidebars, boxed quotes, photographs, and drawings enhance the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Events That Shaped America titles: The Atom Bomb Project, The Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention, The Writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner", The Oregon Trail, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Scottsboro Case.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA A & E Biography series. While Hussein, Arafat, and bin Laden attempt to provide unbiased biographies of controversial figures, Powell is an adulatory look at the Secretary of State. The books cover childhood and early influences but do not go into much detail about the current "war on terrorism." Some of the photos aren't relevant to the text. Reading list. Bib., ind. [Review covers these A & E Biography titles: Saddam Hussein, Colin Powell, Yasser Arafat, and Osama bin Laden.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. These overviews of key events in American history--an account of the first European colony to survive in North America, the settling of California as a result of the Gold Rush, and the turning point in the Civil War--are sometimes so brief that they are misleading. The books also discuss the aftermath of the events and are illustrated with period reproductions, photos, and maps. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Events That Shaped America titles: The Battle of Gettysburg, The Settling of St. Augustine, and The California Gold Rush.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. This overview attempts to cover the history of a people who disappeared seven hundred years ago, discussing how the culture evolved from a nomadic to agrarian society and the impact of farming on daily life. The book's brevity lends itself to misleading information, and the details tend to get lost in the big picture. Boxed quotes and sidebars help break up the text, illustrated with photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Making of America series. These entries present an overview of U.S. history from the antebellum era to the new millennium. Encyclopedia-quality prose examines major historical events, as well as noting evolving changes in the areas of foreign relations, civil rights, and popular culture. Color photographs, boxed quotes, and biographical profiles perk up the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Mary R. Holt

(4) 4-6 Making of America series. These entries present an overview of U.S. history from the antebellum era to the new millennium. Encyclopedia-quality prose examines major historical events, as well as noting evolving changes in the areas of foreign relations, civil rights, and popular culture. Color photographs, boxed quotes, and biographical profiles perk up the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Making of America series. These entries present an overview of U.S. history from the antebellum era to the new millennium. Encyclopedia-quality prose examines major historical events, as well as noting evolving changes in the areas of foreign relations, civil rights, and popular culture. Color photographs, boxed quotes, and biographical profiles perk up the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta