(3) 4-6 Inside Technology series. Common, now-current technologies are competently described for general audiences, focusing on the hardware and software for each device, its personal and commercial uses, as well as related technologies such as cellular networks and artificial intelligence. Historical and future developments are also considered. "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think" features provide opportunities to practice standards-based literacy skills. There are four other spring 2019 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inside Technology titles: Inside Drones, Inside Electric Cars, Inside Smartphones, and Inside 3D Printers.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Race and Sports series. These titles expertly examine the interconnection of sports, race, and society and highlight the issues and topics that are born from these intersections. Stereotypes and Media Coverage provide the foundation for the other titles. Instructive sidebars and captioned photos accompany the crisply written, informative narratives. Useful introductions to the many-layered subjects for students writing research papers. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Race and Sports titles: Fighting Stereotypes in Sports, Gender and Race in Sports, Politics and Protest in Sports, Race and College Sports, Race and Sports Management, Race in Sports Media Coverage.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Building by Design series. These books focus on the history of two transportation systems that were major engineering feats in the mid-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries. Each book explains the need and purpose propelling the project, plus its planning, design, funding, obstacles faced, and modern use. Stock photographs, diagrams, direct quotes, and sidebars provide clarity. "Fast Facts" and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Building by Design titles: Engineering the London Underground and Engineering the Panama Canal.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Building by Design series. These books focus on four formidable architectural marvels constructed in diverse regions of the world. Each book details a specific building, giving an account of its unique purpose, history, design, construction, and modern use. Budding architects will find the series engaging. Stock photographs, diagrams, direct quotes, and sidebars provide clarity. "Fast Facts" and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Building by Design titles: Engineering the Space Needle, Engineering the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Engineering Burj Khalifa, and Engineering the Taj Mahal.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Building by Design series. Each book in this engaging engineering-focused series describes the history and construction of a famous structure, and explains how the landmark is maintained today. Sidebars (some with prompts and website links) as well as photographs, drawings, and diagrams enhance each main text's four chapters. Each book includes "Straight to the Source" pages quoting a primary source, discussion questions throughout, and additional appended facts. There are four other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Building by Design titles: Engineering the Golden Gate Bridge, Engineering the Colosseum, Engineering the NYC Subway System, and Engineering the Eiffel Tower.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) 4-6 American Citizenship series. These books are designed to give young readers an overview of how the American political system was created and how it operates. Primary sources (e.g., an excerpt from Washington's farewell address) extend the serviceable texts, but related core-standards-geared prompts and activities may distract general researchers. Photographs and charts provide additional insight. "Fast Facts" and discussion questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following American Citizenship titles: Modern Political Parties, Our Electoral Leaders, Voting and Elections, and Constitutional Rights.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 American Citizenship series. These books are designed to give young readers an overview of how the American political system was created and how it operates. Primary sources (e.g., an excerpt from Washington's farewell address) extend the serviceable texts, but related core-standards-geared prompts and activities may distract general researchers. Photographs and charts provide additional insight. "Fast Facts" and discussion questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following American Citizenship titles: Modern Political Parties, Our Electoral Leaders, Voting and Elections, and Constitutional Rights.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Alternative Energy series. This series covers energy sources that are alternatives to fossil fuels. Each volume describes historical uses of the resource, explains the technologies that harness the resources, and touches on current and future uses. Participatory sections (labeled "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think") emphasize nonfiction literacy practices but are sometimes weakly related. Stock photographs and diagrams help clarify information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternative Energy titles: Biofuels, Solar Energy, Hydroelectric Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Nuclear Energy, Ocean Energy, and Wind Energy.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Alternative Energy series. This series covers energy sources that are alternatives to fossil fuels. Each volume describes historical uses of the resource, explains the technologies that harness the resources, and touches on current and future uses. Participatory sections (labeled "Straight to the Source" and "Stop and Think") emphasize nonfiction literacy practices but are sometimes weakly related. Stock photographs and diagrams help clarify information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternative Energy titles: Biofuels, Solar Energy, Hydroelectric Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Nuclear Energy, Ocean Energy, and Wind Energy.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 One World, Many Countries series. This serviceable overview is liberally illustrated with sharp photos. An introductory chapter highlights a festival that both celebrates the patron saint of Santiago de Cuba and honors Fidel Castro. This chapter and a "Global Connections" page mention changes in political relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Four chapters focus on land, government and cities, people and cultures, and daily life. Fast facts are appended. Maps, reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 One World, Many Countries series. These serviceable overviews for report writers are liberally illustrated with sharp photos. An introductory chapter highlights apartheid (South Africa), a spring festival (Egypt), or the Mombasa Carnival and safaris (Kenya). Four chapters then focus on land, government and cities, people and cultures, and daily life. A "Global Connections" page is usually devoted to a social issue. Fast facts are appended. Maps, reading list. Glos., ind. This review covers these One World, Many Countries titles: South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats series. These additions to the series each introduce a lesser-known breed's origins, characteristic features, and personality traits. Stilted prose relates information about the Felidae family and domestic cat care, feeding, and life cycle, much of it replicated across volumes. Large, crisp stock photos highlight distinctive qualities such as the Turkish Van's love of water and the Kurilian Bobtail's unusual tail shape. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats titles: Burmilla Cats, European Burmese Cats, Kurilian Bobtail Cats, RagaMuffin Cats, Siberian Cats, and Turkish Van Cats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats series. These additions to the series each introduce a lesser-known breed's origins, characteristic features, and personality traits. Stilted prose relates information about the Felidae family and domestic cat care, feeding, and life cycle, much of it replicated across volumes. Large, crisp stock photos highlight distinctive qualities such as the Turkish Van's love of water and the Kurilian Bobtail's unusual tail shape. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats titles: Burmilla Cats, European Burmese Cats, Kurilian Bobtail Cats, RagaMuffin Cats, Siberian Cats, and Turkish Van Cats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats series. These additions to the series each introduce a lesser-known breed's origins, characteristic features, and personality traits. Stilted prose relates information about the Felidae family and domestic cat care, feeding, and life cycle, much of it replicated across volumes. Large, crisp stock photos highlight distinctive qualities such as the Turkish Van's love of water and the Kurilian Bobtail's unusual tail shape. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats titles: Burmilla Cats, European Burmese Cats, Kurilian Bobtail Cats, RagaMuffin Cats, Siberian Cats, and Turkish Van Cats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats series. These additions to the series each introduce a lesser-known breed's origins, characteristic features, and personality traits. Stilted prose relates information about the Felidae family and domestic cat care, feeding, and life cycle, much of it replicated across volumes. Large, crisp stock photos highlight distinctive qualities such as the Turkish Van's love of water and the Kurilian Bobtail's unusual tail shape. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats titles: Burmilla Cats, European Burmese Cats, Kurilian Bobtail Cats, RagaMuffin Cats, Siberian Cats, and Turkish Van Cats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats series. These additions to the series each introduce a lesser-known breed's origins, characteristic features, and personality traits. Stilted prose relates information about the Felidae family and domestic cat care, feeding, and life cycle, much of it replicated across volumes. Large, crisp stock photos highlight distinctive qualities such as the Turkish Van's love of water and the Kurilian Bobtail's unusual tail shape. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats titles: Burmilla Cats, European Burmese Cats, Kurilian Bobtail Cats, RagaMuffin Cats, Siberian Cats, and Turkish Van Cats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats series. These additions to the series each introduce a lesser-known breed's origins, characteristic features, and personality traits. Stilted prose relates information about the Felidae family and domestic cat care, feeding, and life cycle, much of it replicated across volumes. Large, crisp stock photos highlight distinctive qualities such as the Turkish Van's love of water and the Kurilian Bobtail's unusual tail shape. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Animal Library: Cats titles: Burmilla Cats, European Burmese Cats, Kurilian Bobtail Cats, RagaMuffin Cats, Siberian Cats, and Turkish Van Cats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Checkerboard: The Countries series. These flat, factual country surveys include information for school assignments: history, government, land, people, economy, holidays, and cities, among other topics. The trim size and typeface indicate that the books are for younger readers; the vocabulary and political concepts often seem more advanced. Clear photos and common phrases in one of the country's main languages are included. Maps, recipe, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard: The Countries titles: North Korea, Lebanon, Nepal, and Vietnam.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Checkerboard: The Countries series. These flat, factual country surveys include information for school assignments: history, government, land, people, economy, holidays, and cities, among other topics. The trim size and typeface indicate that the books are for younger readers; the vocabulary and political concepts often seem more advanced. Clear photos and a few Spanish words are included. Maps, recipe, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard: The Countries titles: Argentina and Venezuela.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Checkerboard: The Countries series. These flat, factual country surveys include information for school assignments: history, government, land, people, economy, holidays, and cities, among other topics. The trim size and typeface indicate that the books are for younger readers; the vocabulary and political concepts often seem more advanced. Clear photos and common phrases in one of the country's main languages are included. Maps, recipe, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard: The Countries titles: North Korea, Lebanon, Nepal, and Vietnam.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt