(3) YA Special Reports series. This excellent, extensively researched, and well-balanced series unpacks the details behind trending topics and current events. With extensive sidebars and peppered with well-captioned color photographs, each volume endeavors to cover all angles, from historical context and origins to coverage and reaction in social media. The complicated swirl of opinions surrounding the #metoo movement is handled particularly well. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Special Reports titles: Mass Shootings in America, The Charlottesville Protests and The Silence Breakers and the #MeToo Movement

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) YA Special Reports series. Capek offers insight into the plight of the Syrian people's struggle against the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad. The informative narrative discusses Assad's rise to power, the regime's brutality, and the dilemma of today's Syrian refugees. Photographs add interest and impact; many sidebars (with tiny type) extend the text. The timeliness of the topic means the volume will be quickly dated. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Famous Ships series. These books chronicle the histories of three ill-fated modern ships, including the largely forgotten Wilhelm Gustloff, which was transporting German refugees when it was torpedoed by a Russian submarine during WWII. Each readable narrative covers the design, construction, and operation of the ship; its misfortunes are suspensefully described. Excellent archival photographs, diagrams, and "Mini-Bios" enhance the volumes. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Famous Ships titles: The Wilhelm Gustoff Story, The USS Arizona Story, and The Titanic Story.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Women in Science series. These thorough biographies of pioneering women in scientific and technical fields delve deeply into their personal and professional lives. The series includes frank and balanced discussions of both the successes and challenges each woman faced, as well as the qualities and intellect that drove her significant accomplishments. Numerous photographs of the scientists and additional information about their fields are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Women in Science titles: Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, Mae Carol Jemison, Rosalind Franklin, Grace Hopper, and Chien-Shiung Wu.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Special Reports series. Authors explore the history and current status of contemporary issues using major news stories and anecdotes about individuals affected by each topic. The subjects are changing so fast that the information in these books will be quickly dated. Nevertheless, each volume provides serviceable background for report writers. Stock photographs and frequent sidebars contribute to the choppy layouts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Special Reports titles: Religion and Free Speech, Black Lives Matter, and Transgender Rights and Issues.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) YA Special Reports series. Authors give historical context and contemporary analysis of current topics to help high school readers understand world affairs. Stock photographs and frequent sidebars contribute to the choppy layouts. Because both US-Cuba relations and ISIS's impact on the world are changing, these print resources will be dated quickly. Nevertheless, each volume provides serviceable background for report writers. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Special Reports titles: US-Cuba Relations and ISIS.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) YA Essential Library of the Civil War series. This series covers a broad spectrum of the American Civil War. Causes and Aftermath present overviews of the events leading up to and following the conflict; the other volumes zero in on the roles various groups played during the period. Each thorough book contains an abundance of archival photographs, maps, and related inserts. There are five other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Essential Library of the Civil War titles: Civil War Causes, African Americans in the Civil War, Women in the Civil War, Civil War Leaders, and Civil War Aftermath and Reconstruction.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Unsolved Mystery Files series. This book introduces third and fourth graders to six archaeological mysteries: from Easter Island's stone monuments to the lost Chaco civilization in New Mexico. The coverage is slim: a brief description explains what makes the site unusual, and possible solutions to the historical riddle are touched on. Text boxes, photographs, and word definitions are combined in a busy but easy-to-follow layout. Maps, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Civil War series. These broad overviews of the Civil War touch on the conflict over slavery and states' rights and significant events preceding the war; and include a straightforward account of the war and its aftermath and brief vignettes of key personalities. Boxes of text and sidebars are placed atop archival photos, illustrations, and overly decorative graphics. Common Core activities are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Civil War titles: The Battle Over Slavery, Yankees and Rebels, and The U.S. Civil War.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Essential Library of Social Change series. Beginning with a landmark event, these well-organized, thorough social histories explore key figures and incidents that helped to change laws and attitudes about race, disabilities, and homosexuality. Stock photographs combine with dry texts to present the challenges, successes, and future of each movement, while sidebars and a "Voices of the Movement" feature add context. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Library of Social Change titles: Civil Rights Movement, Disability Rights Movement, and Gay Rights Movement.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) YA Unearthing Ancient Worlds series. Each volume begins with a snapshot look at an ancient civilization, then reveals the history of its archaeological site. Readers are given insight into who the first explorers were and their lasting contributions, in addition to future digs and discoveries at the sites. Numerous sidebars, maps, and illustrations provide more information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Unearthing Ancient Worlds titles: Angkor Wat and Easter Island.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 How It Was series. A lengthy introduction describes the formation of the Shaker sect and the unusual way the members lived. In fictional chapters, five different individuals describe their daily duties during one weekend in 1849 at an actual Shaker village. Though not fully developed, the stories offer a personalized picture of the past. Color photos and informational sidebars are scattered throughout. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anne St. John