(4) YA Innovative Technologies series. These dense books describe energy sources and technologies that can serve to reduce or eliminate our use of fossil fuels. Each account includes a brief history of the field, the underlying science, technologies under development and the policies that regulate them, and the challenges faced in making these technologies economically and scientifically feasible. High-quality, well-chosen photographs accompany the texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Innovative Technologies titles: Hyrbid and Electric Vehicles, Methane Energy, Biomass Energy, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells.

Reviewer: Devon Johnson

(4) YA Essential Issues series. Trafficking deals with the exploitation of individuals (usually from poor, underdeveloped countries) as forced workers or sex slaves. Arms discusses the proliferation of illegal guns and explosives and how they threaten the safety and stability of numerous regions. Informative sidebars and photographs crowd the readable texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Issues titles: Human Trafficking and Arms Trade.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Essential Issues series. These books examine societal issues, reviewing their histories and relating steps taken to combat problems, including laws enacted to protect citizens. Warfare involves issues of national security and chronicles the use of deadly poisonous agents employed against countries and individuals, whether in war or peacetime. The readable texts are enhanced with numerous photographs and sidebars that, while informative, crowd the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Issues titles: Children's Rights, Biological & Chemical Warfare, Gangs, and Drug Trafficking.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Essential Issues series. These books present overviews of the illnesses. In both cases, the matter-of-fact texts discuss the ignorance and misunderstanding that led to the ostracizing of sufferers; challenges in finding cures are also explored. HIV / AIDS deals extensively with the pandemic affecting Africa. Sidebars (which crowd the main text), photographs, and illustrations accompany the readable texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Issues titles: Mental Disorders and HIV / AIDS.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Essential Events series. These volumes examine background, primary players, and lasting impact of historic events. The Munich tragedy and the Hindenburg disaster, two unexpected and shocking occurrences, are graphically but sensitively described. The readable narratives are accompanied by numerous sidebars, archival photographs, and illustrations that, while useful, tend to encroach on the main texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Events titles: Terror at the Munich Olympics, The Hindenburg Disaster, and The United States Enters World War I.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Essential Viewpoints series. This series offers readers a generally well-balanced discussion of the featured topic. The history, laws and reforms, significant events, and divergent perspectives are clearly, if dryly, presented. Offering no solutions, these titles provide readers with the facts needed to make informed decisions of their own. Primary-source reproductions, photographs, charts, and encroaching sidebars make pages crowded. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Viewpoints titles: The Abortion Debate, Internet Piracy, Gun Control, The Causes of School Violence, and The Death Penalty.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale