(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Landmarks in U.S. History series. Blashfield offers readers a cursory introduction to this important event in American history. The overview describes Lewis and Clark's expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific, including encounters with Native American groups and the value of Sacagawea to the trip's success. The brief, readable text is enhanced with informative sidebars, maps, stock photographs, paintings, and appended critical thinking questions. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Landmarks in U.S. History series. Blashfield offers a cursory account of this event in American history, which directly led to California's statehood. The book chronicles the discovery of gold, the frenzied rush of prospectors, mining operations, the hardships and heartbreak encountered, and women's roles. The abbreviated, readable text is enhanced with informative sidebars, maps, stock photographs, paintings, and appended critical thinking questions. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. These are comprehensive, informative books about the history (from human discovery on), occurrence, biological importance, preparation, and use of the title elements. The periodic table concept and structure of each of the atoms is covered, so their relation to each other is clear. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. These are comprehensive, informative books about the history (from human discovery on), occurrence, biological importance, preparation, and use of the title elements. The periodic table concept and structure of each of the atoms is covered, so their relation to each other is clear. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. These are comprehensive, informative books about the history (from human discovery on), occurrence, biological importance, preparation, and use of the title elements. The periodic table concept and structure of each of the atoms is covered, so their relation to each other is clear. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. The books in this series describe the discovery, occurrence in nature, atomic makeup, properties, and uses of these common elements. Chemical equations are supplied and explained with diagrams. Captioned color photographs extend the text. Each book includes a periodic table and a guide to its organization and contents. A list of Internet sites is appended. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Sparks of Life titles: Chlorine, Iron and the Trace Elements, Magnesium.]

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. The books in this series describe the discovery, occurrence in nature, atomic makeup, properties, and uses of these common elements. Chemical equations are supplied and explained with diagrams. Captioned color photographs extend the text. Each book includes a periodic table and a guide to its organization and contents. A list of Internet sites is appended. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Sparks of Life titles: Chlorine, Iron and the Trace Elements, Magnesium.]

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. The books in this series describe the discovery, occurrence in nature, atomic makeup, properties, and uses of these common elements. Chemical equations are supplied and explained with diagrams. Captioned color photographs extend the text. Each book includes a periodic table and a guide to its organization and contents. A list of Internet sites is appended. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Sparks of Life titles: Chlorine, Iron and the Trace Elements, Magnesium.]

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(4) 4-6 Women of Achievement series. The latest additions to this series of biographies will be useful mainly for those writing reports. Although each offers a detailed account of the subject's life, the writing is pedestrian and the photographs often dreary. Some of the books offer more substance due mainly to the subject herself (e.g., Toni Morrison). Each book contains a chronology. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Cher, Toni Morrison, Mother Teresa, Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Estefan.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 America the Beautiful series. A cross between a social studies textbook and a tourist guide, each attractive, readable volume describes a state's history, geography, industry, culture, and famous citizenry. Glossy pages, detailed maps, helpful definitions (which are neatly incorporated in the text), and sharp reproductions of photographs and other artwork make the books useful for upper-elementary and middle school students in search of report resources. Time lines and "Fast Facts" sections are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(4) 4-6 First Book series. Two volumes discuss the roles played by slaves, free southerners, and northern African Americans, and by the cavalry, during our nation's bloodiest conflict. The writing in 'Slaves' is competent, but awkward in 'Horse Soldiers'; an attractive design, featuring color and black-and-white historical photographs and artwork help enliven the presentations. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Enchantment of the World series. A smoothly written text covers England's political and economic history, religious beliefs, and popular culture. Numerous color photographs make the book inviting, and a useful time line juxtaposes England's history with events in world history. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.