(3) 4-6 Police Search & Rescue! series. Introductions to types of law enforcement careers, these books also document real-life anecdotes of heroic officers who have risked their own lives to save others. Color photos accompany clear, reluctant-reader-friendly texts to help tell the exciting stories of on-the-job courage and quick thinking. A section on equipment used by each agency is appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Police Search & Rescue! titles: Highway Patrol Officers, Air-Sea Rescue Officers, City Cops, K-9 Cops, Sheriffs and Deputies, and State Troopers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 They Don't Belong: Tracking Invasive Species series. This series explores how species can be inadvertently introduced into a balanced ecosystem and how the subsequent non-native overpopulation causes environmental destruction. Brown tree snakes devour native animal species in Guam; Burmese pythons do the same in Florida's Everglades; in Australia, it's cane toads. Brief, accessible texts are supported by lots of crisp photographs on every page. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these They Don't Belong titles: Florida's Burmese Pythons, Guam's Brown Tree Snakes, and Australia's Cane Toads.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Code Red series. This book opens with an account of the devastating effects of the 2013 Oklahoma tornado on an elementary school (potentially unsettling for student readers). The brief, accessible text is supported by a few eyewitness testimonies and lots of captioned color photos. Appended bullet-point profiles of four people who "showed great courage and compassion" seem like filler. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 ShockZone--Villains series. This series presents brief biographical vignettes of some of the world's most notorious villains. The chatty, informal writing style is entertaining, but the gruesome anecdotes and graphic illustrations aren't for the faint-hearted. The authors' selections are largely lesser-known villainous figures (Hitler, Pol Pot, and Henry VIII are not included). Period art, archival photographs, and text boxes fill the pages. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these ShockZone--Villains titles: Merciless Monarchs and Ruthless Royalty, Pirates, Scoundrels, and Scallywags, Lethal Leaders and Military Madmen, Assassins, Traitors, and Spies, Gangsters, Bootleggers, and Bandits, and Outlaws, Gunslingers, and Thieves.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Six Questions of American History series. Informative sidebars and colorful graphics enhance these lively narratives. Salem and Oregon Trail especially stand out because they give young readers an understanding through the eyes of people who lived at the time. Articles is a more linear, factual account, clearly showing the development of the American federal system of government. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Acts of Courage: Inside America's Military series. These books identify individuals from the five military service divisions who have been recently honored for heroic deeds. Brief vignettes tell the stories of the recipients' heroism and identify the medals awarded. Readers will appreciate the photographs of the honorees that accompany the accessible texts. Bibliographies, which include websites and incomplete citations ("The New York Times"), are of questionable use. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Acts of Courage: Inside America's Military titles: Today's Air Force Heroes, Today's Army Heroes, Today's Coast Guard Heroes, Today's Navy Heroes, and Today's Marine Heroes.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Rescuing Animals from Disasters series. This series recounts specific disasters and the rescue efforts made to save the animals affected, using accessible but stilted language, brief personal stories, and evocative (sometimes cute [baby turtles], sometimes disturbing [severely burned cows]) photographs. Though successes are highlighted, harsh realities are not ignored (especially in Oil Spills). Well-known examples of the specific types of disasters are appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Rescuing Animals from Disasters titles: Saving Animals from Volcanoes, Saving Animals After Earthquakes, Saving Animals After Floods, Saving Animals from Fires, Saving Animals from Hurricanes, and Saving Animals from Oil Spills.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 Nightmare Plagues series. The real-life stories of people suffering from the title diseases precede causes, symptoms, histories, modern cures, and prevention, all described in very broad strokes; final sections return to the personal stories. Each crowded spread includes multiple captioned photos; additional maps and text boxes appear throughout. Bulleted lists of outbreaks and facts are appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Nightmare Plagues titles: Tuberculosis, Typhoid Fever, Bubonic Plague, Malaria, Smallpox, and The Flu of 1918.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Code Red series. Twelve double-page spreads present the 2010 natural disaster in Haiti. The text first describes the earthquake and its immediate aftermath, then explores worldwide reactions and ongoing relief efforts. While the writing is stiff, the photographs effectively reflect the enormity of the disaster. A final spread briefly profiles four people (including Bill Clinton) with roles in the event. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Disaster Survivors series. Each volume relates the events of a specific natural disaster. Two-page sections describe what happened or what caused the event as well as the personal stories of those who lived through it; the journalistic style heightens tension, but the text is limited in details. Tips are provided on what to do during and after each type of disaster. Maps and photographs supplement the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Disaster Survivors titles: Mangled by a Hurricane!, Slammed by a Tsunami!, Hammered by a Heat Wave!, Blitzed by a Blizzard!, Devastated by a Volcano!, Struck by Lightning!, Leveled by an Earthquake!, and Erased by a Tornado!

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Disaster Survivors series. Each volume relates the events of a specific natural disaster. Two-page sections describe what happened or what caused the event as well as the personal stories of those who lived through it; the journalistic style heightens tension, but the text is limited in details. Tips are provided on what to do during and after each type of disaster. Maps and photographs supplement the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Disaster Survivors titles: Mangled by a Hurricane!, Slammed by a Tsunami!, Hammered by a Heat Wave!, Blitzed by a Blizzard!, Devastated by a Volcano!, Struck by Lightning!, Leveled by an Earthquake!, and Erased by a Tornado!

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Spectacular Animal Towns series. These volumes provide informative looks at the title animals. While focusing on the creatures' habitats and homes, the texts also provide decent overviews of what makes each animal unique and interesting. The information is selective, but there are enough facts to fulfill basic report requirements. Photographs and maps will hold readers' interest. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Spectacular Animal Towns titles: The Prairie Dog's Town, The Bat's Cave, and The Beaver's Lodge.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 Spectacular Animal Towns series. These volumes provide informative looks at the title insects. While focusing on the creatures' habitats, the texts also provide decent overviews of life cycles, communication, and what makes each animal unique and interesting. Though the information is selective, there are enough facts to fulfill basic report requirements. Photographs and drawings will hold readers' interest. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Spectacular Animal Towns titles: The Ant's Nest and The Honey Bee's Hive.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) K-3 Uncommon Animals series. Readers follow the work of scientists who study the unique features and challenges of animals living in remote habitats. Though scattering focus, firsthand accounts create a narrative feel while still weaving in facts about the animals and their environments. Large photos, mostly clear captions, and short sidebars enhance the texts. End-of-book animal facts add interest. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Uncommon Animals titles: Aye-Aye, Platypus, Fossa, Tasmanian Devil, Weddell Seal, and Arctic Fox.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(3) K-3 America's Animal Comebacks series. Using glossy close-up photographs and accessible text, these books offer readers a clear chronicle of the animals' struggles and successes. Authors clearly outline the threats and what humans have done to help (after, in many cases, causing the problem). Readers studying conservation will gain valuable information. Statistics and facts about other endangered animals are appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these America's Animal Comebacks titles: Black-Footed Ferrets, American Bison, Florida Panthers, Florida Manatees, Gray Wolves, Grizzly Bears, and Southern Sea Otters.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray