(4) 4-6 News Literacy series. In these brief, textbook-like overviews of media literacy, coverage is largely anodyne. Still, the topics have become increasingly important, and this series offers a good jumping-off point for upper-elementary students to think critically about what they read and see in the news, advertisements, and on social media. Each text includes well-considered assignments for further research, thought, and discussion. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these News Literacy titles: Advertising Overload, The Fake News Phenomenon, How Journalists Work, Uncovering Bias in the News, Why News Matters, and Your Personalized Internet.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Special Reports series. Edwards takes a close look at the Zika outbreak of 2015. The book chronicles the history of the virus; its range, transmission and symptoms; and the actions being taken to eradicate it. 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 Race in America series. A substantive series that examines race as a social construct and racism from many different viewpoints, both historical and contemporary. Although concentrating on the African American experience, the books cover to a lesser extent problems faced by Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Discussion starters, archival and contemporary photos, and other materials add to the presentations. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Race in America titles: Roots of Racism, White Privilege, Race in the Criminal Justice System, What Are Race and Racism?, and Race and Policing.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA Hidden Heroes series. This well-researched volume examines the overlooked history of black women who worked for NASA as "human computers." Despite their essential research and diligence, the women faced segregation and unequal opportunities in the work place. The book also discusses the history of educating black Americans, the Space Race, and basics of aerospace engineering and computation. Archival photos illustrate the account. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Women's Lives in History series. Each book provides biographies of a good number of women--both well-known and lesser-known--who are high achievers in their respective fields. Clear, engaging texts provide context-setting background, and the volumes' clean design includes with many photos and useful sidebars. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Women's Lives in History titles: Women in Science, Women in Politics and Government, Women in Arts and Entertainment, and Women in War.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(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

(3) YA Ancient Civilizations series. Each volume introduces a civilization by covering a wide variety of topics including origins, political systems, religions, and daily life. Chapters are broken into subcategories, with numerous sidebars, photos, illustrations, and maps adding detail to the main narrative. The texts themselves are accessible without dumbing down the information. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. This review covers the following Ancient Civilizations titles: Ancient Maya, Ancient Rome, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Ancient India.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo