(3) 4-6 Engineering That Made America series. This series takes an in-depth look at the history, conception, and practical application of key engineering feats and inventions. Each volume thoughtfully breaks down events and inspiration that led up to each invention, as well as its evolution and impact over the years. Archival photos break up the narratives. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Engineering That Made America titles: The Invention of the Assembly Line, The Invention of the Airplane, The Invention of the Transistor, and The Building of the Hoover Dam.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Graphic Library: STEM Adventures series. Illustrated by Pixelpop Studios. "Super scientist" Max Axiom explores STEM topics in graphic-novel format. The forced narratives provide basic overviews of different types of drones and robots and their various personal, commercial, scientific, and militaristic uses. Max gets information from different experts, with a diverse range of races and gender represented. Additional facts are included at book's end. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Graphic Library: STEM Adventures titles: The Dynamic World of Drones and The Remarkable World of Robots.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) 4-6 Our World: The Next 100 Years series. In this graphic introduction to energy technologies, fictional "futurist" Luna Li and companions tour a present-day coal plant; travel twenty-five years into the future to examine the state of natural gas, wind, solar, and other power technologies; then jump to 2120 to look at possible future technologies. The comic-panel illustrations featuring cutting-edge technologies add interest to a contrived frame story. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What's Cool About Science? series. These slight volumes describe breakthrough medical technologies and procedures, including the preservation of living tissue via cooling and freezing; innovations in the replacement of limbs and organs; and developments such as virtual doctors and health trackers. The coverage is cursory, but it's interesting and well organized. Captioned photographs and sidebars are well integrated into the main text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What's Cool About Science? titles: Discover Cryobiology, Discover Bionics, and Discover Cutting-Edge Medicine.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Ecosystems of the World series. An anecdote followed by an accessible definition begins each book; subsequent chapters cover each ecosystem's special features, plants, animals, relation to people, and future. Despite a dull template, the books explain their topics clearly and extend understanding via sidebars of further material and questions. Captioned photos and diagrams illustrate the texts. There are four other fall 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Ecosystems of the World titles: Wetland Ecosystems, Woodland Forest Ecosystems, Coral Reef Ecosystems, and Grassland Ecosystems.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Graphic Library: Science of Sports with Max Axiom series. Illustrated by Caio Cacau. A "super scientist" equipped with gadgets and superpowers explains the physics of familiar sports, deconstructing action shots with "voiceovers" and cutaways that enhance readers' sports knowledge while offering accessible, engaging explanations of key physics concepts. Unfortunately, extraneous information and shoehorned-in narratives dilute the books' usefulness and appeal. Additional sports facts are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Graphic Library: The Science of Sports with Max Axiom titles: The Science of Football with Max Axiom, Super Scientist and The Science of Hockey with Max Axiom, Super Scientist.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross