(4) YA Deadly Diseases and Epidemics series. As in other volumes in this series (all written by scientists), biological structures of and research into understanding each disease are described, as well as epidemiological considerations and current studies in treatment or prevention. Dense scientific terminology, sophisticated explanations, and complicated diagrams are off-putting and will make the books accessible only to a limited readership. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Deadly Diseases and Epidemics titles: Prostate Cancer, Lung Cancer, Helicobacter Pylori, Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Rabies, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, and Cervical Cancer.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Princess Andrea, who's determined to be a knight rather than a proper lady, discovers a link between her world (based on medieval Spain) and modern-day California. There Andrea uncovers secrets about her family history and begins to question in which world she truly belongs. The unusual fantasy setting and adept time-shift handling counterbalance an overly complicated romance and revenge plot.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) YA Drugs, the Straight Facts series. The books in this cautionary series succeed because they are lucid, well organized, and filled with color photos, charts, graphs, diagrams, lists (e.g., "Famous Dead Smokers"), and other visuals that both break up the text and reinforce the just-say-no message. The authors only lose traction with the melodramatically written anecdotes designed to scare readers straight. Addresses, reading list, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Drugs, the Straight Facts titles: Heroin, Hallucinogens, Cocaine, and Nicotine.]

Reviewer: Nell Beram