(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: Heroes of World War II series. This series provides readers with insights beyond the usual recounting of battles and politics commonly found in juvenile WWII resources, focusing instead on more personal aspects of the war and on anecdotes of heroism. Maps and archival images enrich the clear, informative texts; periodic "Hero Highlight" and "STEM Highlight" sidebars provide interesting context and detail. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: Heroes of World War II titles: D-Day Invasion, World War II Resistance Fighters, Navajo Code Talkers, World War II Spies and Secret Agents, Attack on Pearl Harbor, and Japanese American Internment Camps.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: Heroes of World War II series. This series provides readers with insights beyond the usual recounting of battles and politics commonly found in juvenile WWII resources, focusing instead on more personal aspects of the war and on anecdotes of heroism. Maps and archival images enrich the clear, informative texts; periodic "Hero Highlight" and "STEM Highlight" sidebars provide interesting context and detail. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: Heroes of World War II titles: D-Day Invasion, World War II Resistance Fighters, Navajo Code Talkers, World War II Spies and Secret Agents, Attack on Pearl Harbor, and Japanese American Internment Camps.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Primary Source Explorers series. These introductory texts emphasize primary sources in the telling of history. Photographs of the modern-day locations, historical documents, maps, and paintings enhance the texts, which detail each individual's voyages, his place in the age of exploration, and broader historical context. Frequent questions encourage readers to make modern connections and question the morality of the explorer's choices. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Primary Source Explorers titles: A Journey with Christopher Columbus, A Journey with Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, A Journey with Hernán Cortés, A Journey with Sieur de La Salle, A Journey with Henry Hudson, and A Journey with Juan Ponce de León.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Primary Source Explorers series. These introductory texts emphasize primary sources in the telling of history. Photographs of the modern-day locations, historical documents, maps, and paintings enhance the texts, which detail each individual's voyages, his place in the age of exploration, and broader historical context. Frequent questions encourage readers to make modern connections and question the morality of the explorer's choices. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Primary Source Explorers titles: A Journey with Christopher Columbus, A Journey with Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, A Journey with Hernán Cortés, A Journey with Sieur de La Salle, A Journey with Henry Hudson, and A Journey with Juan Ponce de León.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Kallen provides a thoughtful evaluation of the problems with human waste--particularly since the advent of plastic and a culture of disposable goods. The technologies of waste treatment, storage, and cleanup--as well as the challenges of waste removal in oceans across the globe and in space--are thoroughly examined. Effective photographs and charts are included throughout. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Matters of Opinion series. This slim volume models persuasive essay writing and broadly introduces oft-debated issues surrounding obesity. Chapters open with a key question (e.g. "Can the Government Prevent Obesity?"), followed by "Yes" and "No" arguments that advance opposing theses; follow-up sections highlight the debate techniques implemented. Relevant stock photos break up the somewhat choppy text. Essay-writing guidelines are appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 North American Indian Nations series. These titles introduce Native American peoples living in each geographic area, discussing traditional way of life, spirituality, arts, changes after European influences, and modern times; each concludes with notable Native Americans from the region. The broad texts, covering many native nations within each book, are fractured in their focus but illustrated with helpful maps, photos, and tables. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following North American Indian Nations titles: Native Peoples of the Great Basin, Native Peoples of the Plateau, Native Peoples of the Arctic, Native Peoples of the Subarctic, Native Peoples of California, Native Peoples of the Plains, Native Peoples of the Southwest, and Native Peoples of the Northeast.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 North American Indian Nations series. These titles introduce Native American peoples living in each geographic area, discussing traditional way of life, spirituality, arts, changes after European influences, and modern times; each concludes with notable Native Americans from the region. The broad texts, covering many native nations within each book, are fractured in their focus but illustrated with helpful maps, photos, and tables. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following North American Indian Nations titles: Native Peoples of the Great Basin, Native Peoples of the Plateau, Native Peoples of the Arctic, Native Peoples of the Subarctic, Native Peoples of California, Native Peoples of the Plains, Native Peoples of the Southwest, and Native Peoples of the Northeast.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) YA Future of Technology series. With the directness of textbooks, the books in this series explore exciting, interrelated areas of technological innovation with in-depth, straightforward text; clear organization; and well-documented sources. Sidebars contain supplementary information and "Words in Context," a user-friendly alternative to a glossary. Introductory timelines are difficult to navigate, and minimal visual elements and unremarkable covers do little to draw in readers. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Future of Technology titles: What Is the Future of Artificial Intelligence?, What Is the Future of Nanotechnology?, What Is the Future of Drones?, What Is the Future of 3D Printing?, What Is the Future of Virtual Reality?, and What Is the Future of Self-Driving Cars?

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) YA Collective Biographies series. In each dense collective biography, six brief biographical sketches introduce key figures in magic, science-fiction films, DJing, the internet, young adult literature, or celebrity brand empires. Focusing on select pivotal players demonstrates how creative talent contributed to the meteoric rise of each industry, though the people or material included can be random. Thematic introductions, photographs, sidebars, and pull-quotes add dimension. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Collective Biographies titles: Great Magicians and Illusionists, Sci-Fi Directors, Electronic Dance Music DJs, Internet Entrepreneurs, Young Adult Authors, and Brand Empire Celebrities.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) YA Collective Biographies series. In each dense collective biography, six brief biographical sketches introduce key figures in magic, science-fiction films, DJing, the internet, young adult literature, or celebrity brand empires. Focusing on select pivotal players demonstrates how creative talent contributed to the meteoric rise of each industry, though the people or material included can be random. Thematic introductions, photographs, sidebars, and pull-quotes add dimension. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Collective Biographies titles: Great Magicians and Illusionists, Sci-Fi Directors, Electronic Dance Music DJs, Internet Entrepreneurs, Young Adult Authors, and Brand Empire Celebrities.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) YA Cutting Edge Technology series. These five dense books provide a report on current (as of publication) innovations in a variety of engineering fields, including alternative energies, communications, vehicles, weapons, and virtual realities. The focus is more on description of the products than on explanation of the underlying science. Photographs of the many technological products and of people designing them, promoting them, and interacting with them are included. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Cutting Edge Technology titles: Cutting Edge Energy Technology, Cutting Edge Entertainment Technology, Cutting Edge Military Technology, Cutting Edge Transportation Technology, and Cutting Edge Internet Technology.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Cutting Edge Technology series. These five dense books provide a report on current (as of publication) innovations in a variety of engineering fields, including alternative energies, communications, vehicles, weapons, and virtual realities. The focus is more on description of the products than on explanation of the underlying science. Photographs of the many technological products and of people designing them, promoting them, and interacting with them are included. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Cutting Edge Technology titles: Cutting Edge Energy Technology, Cutting Edge Entertainment Technology, Cutting Edge Military Technology, Cutting Edge Transportation Technology, and Cutting Edge Internet Technology.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Finding a Career series. This series offers a thorough look at various jobs connected by skills and interests, though the pairings are sometimes odd (e.g., landscape designer in Arts; lawyer in Writing), and stats about each career will quickly become outdated. Basic facts, necessary preparation, opportunities, potential problems, organizations to contact, quotes from the field, and an interview with a real-life practitioner are included; dull stock photos illustrate the texts. Ind. Review covers these Finding a Career titles: Careers If You Like Writing, Careers If You Like the Arts, Careers If You Like History, Careers If You Like Math, Careers If You Like Science, and Careers If You Like Government and Politics.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) YA Kallen discusses growing human demand for clean water and how things such as development, large-scale farming, and global warming affect both the water cycle and supply. Local solutions such as rainwater catchment systems and pipe maintenance are also examined. The book's in-depth analysis and eye-opening stats are illustrated with stock photographs, often of recent water-crisis events. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Kallen explains that South Korean K-Pop is not just Psy's "Gangnam Style": "K-Pop artists have been performing and recording...since the 1990s." The book then chronologically describes the artists (and record labels) that made K-Pop successful. It's a comprehensive introduction to the genre, accompanied by well-chosen stock photos and sidebars; a playlist of recommended songs concludes each chapter. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Great Idea: Engineering series. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(3) 4-6 Great Idea: Engineering series. Kallen's comprehensive introduction to the longest undersea tunnel in the world, connecting Great Britain and France, candidly captures the notion that while such engineering feats can be easily imagined, implementation is far trickier and often faces many critical setbacks. A welcome discussion of the structure's environmental impact is included. Diagrams, maps, and historical photos helpfully amplify the account. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) YA Living History series. This series emphasizes social history and forefronts family life, community organization, religious practices, education systems, and inventions. Pull-out boxes define some words, but a glossary would have been helpful. Translated snippets from famous texts are short and useful, whereas the illustrations are perfunctory at best. Each volume is adequately researched, offering standard information and perspectives. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Living History titles: Life During Medieval Times, Life During the Roman Empire, and Life in Ancient Mesopotamia.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Understanding World History series. From the housing bubble of the early 2000s to the mortgage and banking crisis to the ensuing Occupy movement protests, this detailed discussion examines complicated economic and political issues that contributed to the recent global recession. Sidebars and captioned photos support and help break up the dense text, which, more than other titles in the series, would have benefited from a glossary. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn