(3) 4-6 The answers to why bee populations have dwindled are complicated, and Hirsch explains the processes scientists are using to identify causes of bee population decline. She also shares enough broader ecology to show why we should make it our beeswax to care about bees, with frequent sidebars, diagrams, and photos of bees and their habitats to sweeten the deal.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: Climate Change series. Each volume provides a basic definition of human-induced climate change, then considers the impact of rising temperatures and an increase in carbon dioxide on plant and animal life, weather, and humans, with only minor overlap of content across the books. Though the cases presented are dire, solutions and mitigation of negative impacts are considered. The high-quality images and layouts organize the material well. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: Climate Change titles: Climate Change and Air Quality, Climate Change and Extreme Storms, Climate Change and Energy Technology, Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels, Climate Change and Rising Temperatures, and Climate Change and Life on Earth.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Some methods of studying monarch butterfly migrations--such as tagging and measuring resting colonies--show that populations are decreasing, and Hirsch investigates why? A readable narrative, illustrated with excellent photos and infographics, discusses the environmental culprits (deforestation, herbicides, climate change) and how scientists are helping. Kids, too, can help conserve monarch populations with the appended "citizen scientist" suggestions. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: Animal Superpowers series. Each book presents four to five examples of an animal adaptation or behavior, such as wood frogs' freezing to hibernate, with additional similarly adapted animals showcased in "Compare It" inserts. Explanations of each titular behavior are quite brief, but the extended discussions of an individual animal's related habits, complete with multiple photos of each in action, provide good detail. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: Animal Superpowers titles: Exploding Ants and Other Amazing Defenses, Thousand-Mile Fliers and Other Amazing Migrators, Trap-Door Spiders and Other Amazing Predators, Dancing Bees and Other Amazing Communicators, Frozen Frogs and Other Amazing Hibernators, and Walking Sticks and Other Amazing Camouflage.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: Animal Superpowers series. Each book presents four to five examples of an animal adaptation or behavior, such as wood frogs' freezing to hibernate, with additional similarly adapted animals showcased in "Compare It" inserts. Explanations of each titular behavior are quite brief, but the extended discussions of an individual animal's related habits, complete with multiple photos of each in action, provide good detail. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: Animal Superpowers titles: Exploding Ants and Other Amazing Defenses, Thousand-Mile Fliers and Other Amazing Migrators, Trap-Door Spiders and Other Amazing Predators, Dancing Bees and Other Amazing Communicators, Frozen Frogs and Other Amazing Hibernators, and Walking Sticks and Other Amazing Camouflage.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: Animal Superpowers series. Each book presents four to five examples of an animal adaptation or behavior, such as wood frogs' freezing to hibernate, with additional similarly adapted animals showcased in "Compare It" inserts. Explanations of each titular behavior are quite brief, but the extended discussions of an individual animal's related habits, complete with multiple photos of each in action, provide good detail. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: Animal Superpowers titles: Exploding Ants and Other Amazing Defenses, Thousand-Mile Fliers and Other Amazing Migrators, Trap-Door Spiders and Other Amazing Predators, Dancing Bees and Other Amazing Communicators, Frozen Frogs and Other Amazing Hibernators, and Walking Sticks and Other Amazing Camouflage.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Advances in genetics allow scientists to consider the possibility of reviving extinct species. Hirsch delves deep into related topics, including evolution, mass extinction, reproduction, and genetic technologies. Case studies of animals such as woolly mammoths and passenger pigeons highlight the feasibility, as well as ethical considerations, of de-extinction. Detailed diagrams and illustrations step readers through the advanced material. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA The human body is covered, inside and out, with tiny microbes that are part of the body's ecosystem. Some cause disease, but most are important to human health. Hirsch clearly describes what scientists know about microbes, how the discoveries have been made, what is still unknown, and how antibiotic use affects the microbiome. Photos and informational sidebars are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Comparing Animal Traits series. Each presentation covers appearance, habitat, skills, and traits for its subject while also comparing and contrasting the focal animal with other birds by text, photos, and charts. Some comparisons are natural, some surprisingly revealing; however, others--such as ruby-throated hummingbirds and Adélie penguins--feel random, without relevant comparative features. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Comparing Animal Traits titles: Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Snowy Owls, Ostriches, and Toco Toucans.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Comparing Animal Traits series. Each presentation covers appearance, habitat, skills, and traits for its subject while also comparing and contrasting the focal animal with other birds by text, photos, and charts. Some comparisons are natural, some surprisingly revealing; however, others--such as ruby-throated hummingbirds and Adélie penguins--feel random, without relevant comparative features. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Comparing Animal Traits titles: Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Snowy Owls, Ostriches, and Toco Toucans.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mia Posada. Gorgeous cut-paper collages with watercolor illustrate this poetic celebration of plant tropisms. A spare, repetitive text explains how and why plants move--"searching for the things that all plants need: water, sunshine, and room to grow." The "More About Plants" appendix offers facts about each plant depicted; an author's note mentions Hirsch's sources and inspiration. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) YA Climate change is rapidly affecting livability in communities built on thawing permafrost, islands, and coasts that will submerge in rising sea levels, or in drought- or flood-afflicted areas. Hirsch examines specific cases, illustrated with excellent photographs, graphs, and maps, and thoroughly explains the underlying climate and meteorological sciences; she concludes by considering impending scientific and political challenges. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 If seabirds' migratory paths can be accurately determined, then offshore wind farms can be built to minimize their impact on bird populations. Hirsch follows a team of scientists attempting to conduct this research, and she reveals, in her journal-like account, just how challenging it is. Maps and excellent photographs of the birds, scientists, and wind farms are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Our Great States series. These graphically pleasing travel guides highlight the top ten sites to see and things to do in each place. Although the books read like brochures and may include quickly outdated information, kids will appreciate the engaging second-person narratives and many photos. A map and facts are appended. There are twelve other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. This review covers the following Our Great States titles: What's Great About Oregon?, What's Great About Arizona?, What's Great About Washington, DC?, What's Great About South Dakota?, What's Great About Maine?, and What's Great About Mississippi?.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Our Great States series. These graphically pleasing travel guides highlight the top ten sites to see and things to do in each place. Although the books read like brochures and may include quickly outdated information, kids will appreciate the engaging second-person narratives and many photos. A map and facts are appended. There are twelve other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. This review covers the following Our Great States titles: What's Great About Oregon?, What's Great About Arizona?, What's Great About Washington, DC?, What's Great About South Dakota?, What's Great About Maine?, and What's Great About Mississippi?.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Comparing Animal Traits series. Each presentation covers appearance, habitat, skill, and traits for its subject while also comparing and contrasting the focal animal with other mammals by text, photos, and charts. Some comparisons seem natural (similar-looking African elephants and white rhinos); some surprisingly revealing (both sperm whales and vampire bats use echolocation); some random, without relevant comparative features (grizzly bears and titi monkeys). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos, ind. Review covers the following Comparing Animal Traits titles: African Elephants, Gray Wolves, Grizzly Bears, Humpback Whales, Mountain Gorillas, Platypuses, Siberian Tigers, and Vampire BAts.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Comparing Animal Traits series. Each presentation covers appearance, habitat, skill, and traits for its subject while also comparing and contrasting the focal animal with other mammals by text, photos, and charts. Some comparisons seem natural (similar-looking African elephants and white rhinos); some surprisingly revealing (both sperm whales and vampire bats use echolocation); some random, without relevant comparative features (grizzly bears and titi monkeys). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos, ind. Review covers the following Comparing Animal Traits titles: African Elephants, Gray Wolves, Grizzly Bears, Humpback Whales, Mountain Gorillas, Platypuses, Siberian Tigers, and Vampire BAts.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian