(3) YA Pivotal Moments in History series. This volume examines the fall of Constantinople, marking the end of the Middle Ages. Sure to satisfy history buffs, the book not only relates military facts but also delves into the events leading up to Constantinople's defeat as well as exploring its effects throughout history. Numerous sidebars, illustrations, maps, and art reproductions provide additional information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Presidential Leaders series. Though he served as president for only four months before being assassinated by an unhappy job seeker, James Garfield's life before the presidency provides background in this laudatory biography. Report writers will find the basic facts here but will need to look elsewhere for more comprehensive coverage. Black-and-white period photos and reproductions break up the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Chronicle of America's Wars series. Feldman does an adequate job of detailing the activities that led to World War I, as well as the war itself, but Goldstein is less successful with World War II, where some minor errors add confusion. "Eyewitness quotes," photographs, and maps help break up the sometimes dense text. Occasional double-page spreads focus on topics including weapons and uniforms. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Chronicle of America's Wars titles: World War I and World War II--Europe.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) 4-6 Chronicle of America's Wars series. These books do an adequate job of detailing the activities that led to the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War as well as the wars themselves. "Eyewitness quotes," reproduced art, and maps help to break up the sometimes dense text. Occasional double-page spreads focus on topics such as weapons and uniforms. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Chronicle of America's Wars titles: The War of 1812 and The Mexican-American War.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Chronicle of America's Wars series. These books do an adequate job of detailing the activities that led to the Korean, Vietnam, and Cold wars as well as the conflicts themselves. Nicely designed pages full of quotes, reproduced art, and maps help to break up the sometimes dense text. Occasional double-page spreads focus on such topics as weapons and soldiers' uniforms. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Chronicle of America's Wars titles: The Korean War, The Vietnam War, and The Cold War.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Though the prose is more competent than inspired, the biographies of this diverse group of notables adequately traces their personal and professional achievements. Occasional information boxes contain material that supplements the texts, which are illustrated with black-and-white (and occasional color) photos and reproductions. Both Hendrix and Latifah include discographies. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA People's History series. The author begins her survey of public education with the Latin schools established in the colonies and includes sections on frontier schools, the impact of immigration, and desegregation. She concludes with a brief discussion of computers and virtual classrooms. This overview contains many interesting facts but jumps too quickly from one subject to another. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth