(3) YA Photographs by Jennifer S. Larson. Photographs by Jennifer S. Larson. Reuse and re-purpose everything from socks to sweaters to tin cans and produce hats, gloves, home décor, and more. Each of thirty appealing projects is rated for difficulty; the entries include inspiration for the crafts, required equipment and materials, and step-by-step instructions. Full-color photos show the processes as well as the finished products, some modeled by young people. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Jennifer S. Larson. An introduction includes information on plant growth, North American hardiness zones, soil pH, pollination, and supplies. Each of the four chapters that follow group projects by growing method (from seeds, cuttings, etc.) and include one or two recipes for the resulting vegetable, herb, or fruit. Plentiful bright, close-up photos illustrate the step-by-step directions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Class in America series. This unique series--geared to school reports but with intriguing topics and ideas that go beyond the curriculum--could also provide support for debates and political action for motivated readers. Charts, graphs, archival photos, and contemporary color photos break up the dense information and detailed sidebars. Lots of discussion-starter questions make these books relevant to today's readers. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Class in America titles: The American Middle Class, Being Poor in America, Class and Education, Class and Race, Class Mobility, The Future of Work in America, The Health-Care Divide, and The One Percent.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA Defining Images series. Cornell explores Mathew Brady's Civil War photographs and their role in the development of photojournalism. In addition to the war itself, this series installment focuses on Brady's life and career--with sections on technical and practical aspects of photography at the time--resulting in a compelling interplay of history, photography, and biography. Additional information on key photographs appended. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA American Values and Freedoms series. This series (by a lawyer/American studies PhD) discusses fundamental American rights and freedoms established by the Constitution and legislative action, both the history and their evolution through time; the message is that these freedoms are continually debated. Photographs and archival documents, inserts on related topics, and chapter-ending "Discussion Starters" add interest to the informative and thought-provoking texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Values and Freedoms titles; Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Governmental Checks and Balances, The Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Protest, and The Right to Vote.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA American Values and Freedoms series. This series (by a lawyer/American studies PhD) discusses fundamental American rights and freedoms established by the Constitution and legislative action, both the history and their evolution through time; the message is that these freedoms are continually debated. Photographs and archival documents, inserts on related topics, and chapter-ending "Discussion Starters" add interest to the informative and thought-provoking texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Values and Freedoms titles; Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Governmental Checks and Balances, The Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Protest, and The Right to Vote.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. Six more (two are women) contemporary scientists, engineers, and inventors are featured in this continuation of the series that capitalizes on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics objective of today's curriculums. Adulatory profiles touch on childhood, education, and the subjects' breakthrough accomplishments. A colorful, easy-to-read format features photos and "tech talk" sidebars with quotes from the "trailblazers." Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Facebook Founder and Internet Entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, Mars Science Lab Engineer Diana Trujillo, Minecraft Creator Markus "Notch" Persson, Nintendo Video Game Designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking, and Urban Biologist Danielle Lee.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. Six more (two are women) contemporary scientists, engineers, and inventors are featured in this continuation of the series that capitalizes on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics objective of today's curriculums. Adulatory profiles touch on childhood, education, and the subjects' breakthrough accomplishments. A colorful, easy-to-read format features photos and "tech talk" sidebars with quotes from the "trailblazers." Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Facebook Founder and Internet Entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, Mars Science Lab Engineer Diana Trujillo, Minecraft Creator Markus "Notch" Persson, Nintendo Video Game Designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking, and Urban Biologist Danielle Lee.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. Six more (two are women) contemporary scientists, engineers, and inventors are featured in this continuation of the series that capitalizes on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics objective of today's curriculums. Adulatory profiles touch on childhood, education, and the subjects' breakthrough accomplishments. A colorful, easy-to-read format features photos and "tech talk" sidebars with quotes from the "trailblazers." Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Facebook Founder and Internet Entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, Mars Science Lab Engineer Diana Trujillo, Minecraft Creator Markus "Notch" Persson, Nintendo Video Game Designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking, and Urban Biologist Danielle Lee.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. Six more (two are women) contemporary scientists, engineers, and inventors are featured in this continuation of the series that capitalizes on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics objective of today's curriculums. Adulatory profiles touch on childhood, education, and the subjects' breakthrough accomplishments. A colorful, easy-to-read format features photos and "tech talk" sidebars with quotes from the "trailblazers." Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Facebook Founder and Internet Entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, Mars Science Lab Engineer Diana Trujillo, Minecraft Creator Markus "Notch" Persson, Nintendo Video Game Designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking, and Urban Biologist Danielle Lee.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. Six more (two are women) contemporary scientists, engineers, and inventors are featured in this continuation of the series that capitalizes on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics objective of today's curriculums. Adulatory profiles touch on childhood, education, and the subjects' breakthrough accomplishments. A colorful, easy-to-read format features photos and "tech talk" sidebars with quotes from the "trailblazers." Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Facebook Founder and Internet Entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, Mars Science Lab Engineer Diana Trujillo, Minecraft Creator Markus "Notch" Persson, Nintendo Video Game Designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking, and Urban Biologist Danielle Lee.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. Six more (two are women) contemporary scientists, engineers, and inventors are featured in this continuation of the series that capitalizes on the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics objective of today's curriculums. Adulatory profiles touch on childhood, education, and the subjects' breakthrough accomplishments. A colorful, easy-to-read format features photos and "tech talk" sidebars with quotes from the "trailblazers." Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Facebook Founder and Internet Entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, Mars Science Lab Engineer Diana Trujillo, Minecraft Creator Markus "Notch" Persson, Nintendo Video Game Designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Theoretical Physicist Stephen Hawking, and Urban Biologist Danielle Lee.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(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

(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

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Jennifer S. Larson. Kids can try gardening on a small scale with some big results. Following a thorough introduction, simple directions and attractive photos illustrate three projects for each season, from starting seeds in homemade newspaper pots in spring to growing salad greens in recycled plastic strawberry containers in winter. Complexity is appropriate for middle grades and up. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 You're the Chef series. Photographs by Brie Cohen. In each volume, a handful of recipes (e.g., pigs in a blanket, sweet potato fries, no-cook s'mores) are accompanied by large color photographs of the prepared dishes and illustrations of complex steps. Instructions are thorough and clearly worded, and sidebars provide suggestions for substitutions. The same introduction offers information on safety, equipment, and techniques. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these You're the Chef titles: Awesome Snacks and Appetizers, Sweet Cookies and Bars, Slurpable Smoothies and Drinks, and Terrific Veggies on the Side.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 You're the Chef series. Photographs by Brie Cohen. In each volume, a handful of recipes (e.g., pigs in a blanket, sweet potato fries, no-cook s'mores) are accompanied by large color photographs of the prepared dishes and illustrations of complex steps. Instructions are thorough and clearly worded, and sidebars provide suggestions for substitutions. The same introduction offers information on safety, equipment, and techniques. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these You're the Chef titles: Awesome Snacks and Appetizers, Sweet Cookies and Bars, Slurpable Smoothies and Drinks, and Terrific Veggies on the Side.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 You're the Chef series. Photographs by Brie Cohen. In each volume, a handful of recipes (e.g., pigs in a blanket, sweet potato fries, no-cook s'mores) are accompanied by large color photographs of the prepared dishes and illustrations of complex steps. Instructions are thorough and clearly worded, and sidebars provide suggestions for substitutions. The same introduction offers information on safety, equipment, and techniques. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these You're the Chef titles: Awesome Snacks and Appetizers, Sweet Cookies and Bars, Slurpable Smoothies and Drinks, and Terrific Veggies on the Side.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 You're the Chef series. Photographs by Brie Cohen. In each volume, a handful of recipes (e.g., pigs in a blanket, sweet potato fries, no-cook s'mores) are accompanied by large color photographs of the prepared dishes and illustrations of complex steps. Instructions are thorough and clearly worded, and sidebars provide suggestions for substitutions. The same introduction offers information on safety, equipment, and techniques. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these You're the Chef titles: Awesome Snacks and Appetizers, Sweet Cookies and Bars, Slurpable Smoothies and Drinks, and Terrific Veggies on the Side.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks series. These cookbooks feature recipes for such traditional fare as lamb kebabs, as well as lower-fat and vegetarian dishes. Introductory sections on each country's culture and cuisine provide excellent material for school reports. Glossaries of exotic ingredients and substitutions for hard-to-find items are included. Most recipes require extensive adult supervision. Ind. Review covers these Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks titles: Cooking the Brazilian Way, Cooking the Cuban Way, Cooking the Indonesian Way, and Cooking the Turkish Way.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl