(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. Confident readers who love facts will appreciate the wide ranging (sometimes random) information about rocks and minerals in this leveled reader, which is organized in short, accessible chapters. There is a breathless excitement to much of the writing: "Humans even have to eat a mineral--salt--to survive!" The enthusiastic text is well supported by lots of captioned stock photos in a lively design that lends itself to browsing. In addition to two double-page spreads featuring "25 Facts About Rocks and Gems," all one hundred facts are reviewed in one very long list at book's end. An index is also included.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Captured Television History series. This series examines television's impact on major events. Each volume opens with an engaging account of the main topic, grounding readers in the details. Kennedy-Nixon looks at the history of presidential debates, as well as what preceded and followed the first televised debate. Terrorism covers the ways in which Americans were riveted by nonstop news coverage of the 9/11 attacks, and the U.S.'s subsequent war on terrorism. The "4D" feature is an online video portal. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Captured Television History titles: TV Captures Terrorism on September 11 and TV Shapes Presidential Politics in the Kennedy-Nixon Debates

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 A+ Books: My First Animal Kingdom Encyclopedias series. Broad information on amphibians is arranged by subject--e.g., life cycle, habitat, skin--in two-page sections. Each busy spread includes a sampling of related words and their definitions and small stock photos (a few are dark and unclear) printed over a large background photo. Some terms may need further context for understanding, but the cursory volume provides a good starting point for gleaning information. Reading list.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(3) 4-6 Encounter series. The history behind the mass evacuation of Jewish and other vulnerable children from Germany to the UK during WWII is given multifaceted treatment in this middle-grade nonfiction volume. Recollections, poems, photographs, and other primary sources factor into touching and often heartbreaking narrative profiles of seven real kinder. A final chapter details each subject's "life after the Kindertransport." Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(4) K-3 Start to Finish series. A clean design and clear texts make these books accessible if slight nonfiction choices. Each two-page "chapter" consists of several sentences describing a phase of the plant's growth on the left; right-hand pages feature large, appealing photographs--mostly close-up shots of the plant at the corresponding stage of development. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Start to Finish titles: From Acorn to Oak Tree, From Cone to Pine Tree, From Seed to Cactus, From Seed to Cattail, and From Spore to Mushroom.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) K-3 Start to Finish series. A clean design and clear texts make these books accessible if slight nonfiction choices. Each two-page "chapter" consists of several sentences describing a phase of the plant's growth on the left; right-hand pages feature large, appealing photographs--mostly close-up shots of the plant at the corresponding stage of development. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Start to Finish titles: From Acorn to Oak Tree, From Cone to Pine Tree, From Seed to Cactus, From Seed to Cattail, and From Spore to Mushroom.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) K-3 Start to Finish series. A clean design and simple text makes this book an accessible if slight nonfiction choice. Three- to five-sentence "chapters" follow water from freshwater rivers and streams to raindrops, briefly explaining the different steps in the water cycle. Every right-hand page features a full-color photograph of water or the sky that reinforces the accompanying description of each stage. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(3) 4-6 Captured History series. This excellent series examines the history and context of a photo or series of photos and its impact on culture. Berne looks at how Frederick Douglass's daguerreotype portrait helped counteract racist portrayals of African Americans. A biography of Douglass works together with background on the abolitionist movement and the history of photography in the thoughtful, engaging text. Timeline, reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Why Do We Say That? series. Beginning with a general overview of its topic, each text delves into the history and currently active changes of American English. They also go into some finer points, such as the use of emojis as idioms and the evolution of "thee/thou" to "you." "Try it out!" sections encourage active engagement with functions of language. Stock photographs and some charts adorn the pages. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Why Do We Say That? titles: What Is an Idiom When It's at Home? and Me, Myself, and I.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) 4-6 Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories series. Illustrated by Katie Wood. These sports-themed stories starring girls highlight important skills necessary for success at a skate park (Longboard), a ranch (Cowgirl), on the ice (Ice Rink), and with the cheer squad (Squad). Fast pacing and black-and-white digital illustrations keep the predictable plots focused and easy to follow. Discussion questions, writing prompts, and facts about the sports are appended. Glos. Review covers these Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories titles: Cowgirl Grit, Ice Rink Rookie, Longboard Letdown, and Squad Struggles.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Captured History: Sports series. These books tell exciting sports stories through the lens of photojournalism. The historical backdrops to the featured soccer (1999 Women's World Cup) and hockey (1980 Olympics) heroics and the aftermaths are explored, and biographical information is included on the teams' major players and on the photojournalists, whose photos complement the well-written texts. The books' spacious design is inviting. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Captured History: Sports titles: What a Kick and Miracle on Ice.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Smithsonian: Planets series. These books for second through fourth graders include basic facts about planets in our solar system, accompanied by excellent images from the latest planetary explorations. Additional considerations of "secrets"--the unknowns and puzzles that guide current scientific inquiry--illustrate the constantly changing understanding of astronomers, both historical and present-day. Critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Smithsonian: Planets titles: The Secrets of Neptune, The Secrets of Earth, and The Secrets of Saturn.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Mind Benders series. Loosely organized sections (general astronaut information; chronological facts about the U.S. space program, the International Space Station, space telescopes, and rovers; and future goals) contain photos and snippets of information, allowing readers to dip in and out. Some facts (e.g., pee is purified into drinking water on the ISS) will draw readers in. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Good Question! series. This book chronicles the history of Columbus's first voyage to the New World with pertinent questions and succinct but thoughtful answers. Berne answers such questions as "What was life like aboard the ships?"; "How did Columbus treat the native people?"; and "How did Columbus change the world?"; giving young readers insight into Columbus's exploits. Maps and full-page illustrations enhance the readable text. Timeline.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans series. Illustrated by Doug Jones. Cub Reporter "interviews" American figures who overcame challenges to achieve their goals. Each subject responds to simplistic questions about his or her complicated life (e.g., "Were you ever afraid?" in Tubman) in a hokey first-person voice. Cartoons of a microphone-holding bear cub alternate with captioned photos or illustrations that extend information. The premise may work for reluctant readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans titles: What's Your Story, Harriet Tubman?, What's Your Story, Abraham Lincoln?, What's Your Story, Cesar Chavez?, What's Your Story, Helen Keller?.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans series. Illustrated by Doug Jones. Cub Reporter "interviews" American figures who overcame challenges to achieve their goals. Each subject responds to simplistic questions about his or her complicated life (e.g., "Were you ever afraid?" in Tubman) in a hokey first-person voice. Cartoons of a microphone-holding bear cub alternate with captioned photos or illustrations that extend information. The premise may work for reluctant readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans titles: What's Your Story, Harriet Tubman?, What's Your Story, Abraham Lincoln?, What's Your Story, Cesar Chavez?, What's Your Story, Helen Keller?.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans series. Illustrated by Doug Jones. Cub Reporter "interviews" the legendary African American baseball player. Robinson responds to simplistic questions about his complicated life in his own hokey "voice" ("I don't want to brag. But I was a good baseball player!"). Cartoons of a microphone-holding bear cub alternate with captioned photos that extend information. The premise may work for reluctant readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans series. Illustrated by Doug Jones. Cub Reporter "interviews" American figures who overcame challenges to achieve their goals. Each subject responds to simplistic questions about his or her complicated life (e.g., "Were you ever afraid?" in Tubman) in a hokey first-person voice. Cartoons of a microphone-holding bear cub alternate with captioned photos or illustrations that extend information. The premise may work for reluctant readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans titles: What's Your Story, Harriet Tubman?, What's Your Story, Abraham Lincoln?, What's Your Story, Cesar Chavez?, What's Your Story, Helen Keller?.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Style Secrets series. Illustrated by Elena Heschke. These introductions to proper hygiene and grooming also offer recipes for DIY treatments (such as hair masks, skin toner, and foot scrubs) as well as instructions for hairstyles, makeup application, and nail-art manicures. The friendly texts encourage regular maintenance, creativity, and having fun, while the girly, pastel-colored layouts feature illustrations of girls with both light and dark skin. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Style Secrets titles: Nail Care Tips & Tricks, Hair Care Tips and & Tricks, and Skin Care & Makeup Tips & Tricks.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Style Secrets series. Illustrated by Elena Heschke. "Are you ready for your jewelry journey?" This book explains what you need to store, organize, and create your own jewelry, and gives step-by-step instructions for DIY necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. The friendly text, accompanied by illustrations of the jewelry projects, encourages creativity, experimentation, and working with existing materials; a super-girly layout completes the package. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith