(4) 4-6 How the US Government Works series. This series provides a broad overview of the historical development and current operations of various entities of the U.S. government. Although there is some overlap, each independent volume presents an account of the function and performance of its particular branch or agency. Lackluster texts are enhanced with photographs, sidebars, and instructional aids. "Stop and think" questions are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following How the US Government Works titles: How the US Security Agencies Work, How Political Campaigns and Elections Work, How Political Parties Work, How the Executive Branch Works, How the Judicial Branch Works, and How the Legislative Branch Works.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA World History series. Ancient Indus civilizations are explored in this thorough book. Chapters encompassing multiple aspects of the various cultures, such as language, medicine, and spice trading, are accompanied by pictures and sidebars offering a closer look at specific topics. Quotes from primary sources and historians flesh out additional details. The text is too densely packed with but rich with information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Essential Events series. This book traces the deadly disease from the Justinian Plague (542–544 CE) through the European (1360s) and Chinese plagues (1855) to twentieth-century outbreaks. The search for the cause, spread, and methods of dealing with the pestilence are presented, along with key figures involved. Drawings, maps, and sidebars extend the readable narrative but crowd the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA World History series. These volumes introduce the development and sophistication of ancient river civilizations (ancient Egypt, Indus Valley) and those of the early Americas. The narratives also trace the ways in which both groups of cultures influenced today's society and world history. The texts are well-researched and detail-rich but rather dull. Primary sources, photographs, paintings, maps, and sidebars offer some relief. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these World History titles: The Americas Before 1492 and Early River Civilizations.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Extreme Threats series. Each of these cautionary books begins by recounting a dramatic example: Mount Vesuvius's eruption in AD 79, the Peshtigo wildfire of 1871. Causes and effects are presented in some depth; human attempts to predict, control, and deflect the problems are touched on in a more cursory way. Numerous photographs illustrate the dry texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos, ind. Review covers these Extreme Threats titles: Wildfires and Volcanoes.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) YA Diminishing Resources series. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Diseases in History series. Examining the links between human behavior and four diseases that have caused epidemics or pandemics, Cunningham moves beyond recitation of facts to explore economic and geographical factors and draw conclusions about attempts to prevent and cure the diseases. Clear writing and well-selected examples support his arguments. Archival illustrations and color photographs show specifics of the diseases, historical records, and scientific research. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Diseases in History titles: Flu, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Plague.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Diseases in History series. Examining the links between human behavior and four diseases that have caused epidemics or pandemics, Cunningham moves beyond recitation of facts to explore economic and geographical factors and draw conclusions about attempts to prevent and cure the diseases. Clear writing and well-selected examples support his arguments. Archival illustrations and color photographs show specifics of the diseases, historical records, and scientific research. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Diseases in History titles: Flu, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Plague.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Diseases in History series. Examining the links between human behavior and four diseases that have caused epidemics or pandemics, Cunningham moves beyond recitation of facts to explore economic and geographical factors and draw conclusions about attempts to prevent and cure the diseases. Clear writing and well-selected examples support his arguments. Archival illustrations and color photographs show specifics of the diseases, historical records, and scientific research. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Diseases in History titles: Flu, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Plague.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Diseases in History series. Examining the links between human behavior and four diseases that have caused epidemics or pandemics, Cunningham moves beyond recitation of facts to explore economic and geographical factors and draw conclusions about attempts to prevent and cure the diseases. Clear writing and well-selected examples support his arguments. Archival illustrations and color photographs show specifics of the diseases, historical records, and scientific research. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Diseases in History titles: Flu, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Plague.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA World Leaders series. These competently written biographies give detailed overviews of the lives of Guevara and Stalin from their youths through adulthoods. The volumes focus mainly on the influences the men had over world events and their legacies. The well-captioned photographs, maps, and other visual aids (for example, "one of Che's fake passports" and Soviet propaganda posters) add interest. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these World Leaders titles: Che Guevara and Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth