(3) K-3 Overcoming Barriers series. Stories of real children living with blindness and deafness are woven into facts about the helpers, tools, and technology that enable sensory-impaired kids to experience the world. Photos of the children in school, reading, hiking, painting pictures, and playing with friends underscore the message that children who are blind or deaf lead full and engaged lives. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Overcoming Barriers titles: What Is It Like to be Blind? and What Is It Like to be Deaf?,

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Overcoming Barriers series. Facts about the development and use of Braille and American Sign Language are enhanced with stories of real children learning Braille or ASL. The unique characteristics and importance of each in allowing blind and deaf people to work and live independently is stressed. Full-color photos as well as the alphabet for each are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Overcoming Barriers titles: What Is Braille? and What Is Sign Language?

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Overcoming Barriers series. Facts about the development and use of Braille and American Sign Language are enhanced with stories of real children learning Braille or ASL. The unique characteristics and importance of each in allowing blind and deaf people to work and live independently is stressed. Full-color photos as well as the alphabet for each are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Overcoming Barriers titles: What Is Braille? and What Is Sign Language?

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Overcoming Barriers series. Stories of real children living with blindness and deafness are woven into facts about the helpers, tools, and technology that enable sensory-impaired kids to experience the world. Photos of the children in school, reading, hiking, painting pictures, and playing with friends underscore the message that children who are blind or deaf lead full and engaged lives. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Overcoming Barriers titles: What Is It Like to be Blind? and What Is It Like to be Deaf?,

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 United States at War series. These overviews effectively combine history, political action, and military strategies and tactics, providing a readable view on two wars fought on American soil. The authors creatively utilize quotes from participants in and witnesses of the conflicts. Color and black-and-white photographs and maps help spruce up an uninspired design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these United States at War titles: The American Revolution, and The Civil War.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 United States at War series. These overviews focus on history, political significance, and military strategy and action, and how the title wars' outcomes affected future events. The authors creatively utilize quotes from political leaders, soldiers, and citizens of countries fighting in the wars. Color and black-and-white photographs and maps help spruce up an uninspired design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these United States at War titles: The Vietnam War, World War I, World War II in Europe, and World War II in the Pacific.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. From heroes and heroines to bandits and beloved American icons, these balanced titles consistently sort fact from fiction and confirm each figure's place in history. First chapters successfully introduce the subjects and draw readers in by describing dynamic events. Archival photographs, maps, primary sources, and sidebars combine with dry but informative texts to complete these well-documented biographies. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Americans--The Spirit of a Nation titles: Jesse James, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Billy the Kid, and Johnny Appleseed.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 America's Living History series. Kent discusses the social, political, and religious environment that fueled the events leading to the Salem witchcraft trials. Concluding chapters explore the aftermath and the potential for history to repeat itself. Primary sources and sidebars add valuable perspective. Stock photos and drawings illustrate the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 From Many Cultures, One History series. These books give basic background inforamtion on turbulent times in American history. Though coverage is broad, the authors' use of personal stories and quotations may keep readers engaged. The information is supported by sidebars, well-captioned photographs, and archival reproductions. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these From Many Cultures, One History titles: The Tragic History of the Japanese-American Internment Camps and Escaping Slavery on the Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(3) YA From ancient practices through present-day treatments and legislation, Kent provides an extensive history of (primarily Western) societies' responses to mental illness. Profiles of researchers and reformers share the stage with accounts from patients writing about their experiences. Sidebars extend and help clarify information and, along with the archival photos, break up the dense but readable text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) YA Historical American Biographies series. Although formulaic (each volume in this series begins with a dramatic in medias res moment from the subject's life and ends with a chapter detailing his or her historical legacy), these books contain solid biographical information. The main texts balance personal and professional facts; sidebars offer intriguing supplemental matter. The books are illustrated with black-and-white photos. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical American Biographies titles: Carry A. Nation, Harry Houdini, William Tecumseh, Henry Ford, and George Eastman.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Historical American Biographies series. Although formulaic (each volume in this series begins with a dramatic in medias res moment from the subject's life and ends with a chapter detailing his or her historical legacy), these books contain solid biographical information. The main texts balance personal and professional facts; sidebars offer intriguing supplemental matter. The books are illustrated with black-and-white photos. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical American Biographies titles: Carry A. Nation, Harry Houdini, William Tecumseh, Henry Ford, and George Eastman.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 America the Beautiful series. These readable textbook/tour-book hybrids provide information on a state's history, geography, wildlife, government, industries, culture, and famous residents. Glossy, uncluttered pages include detailed maps, straightforward charts, and sharp reproductions of photos and other artwork. Report writers will find these books to be helpful resources. Time line and "Fast Facts" sections are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 How We Lived series. Peppered with quotations from primary sources, these books do an adequate job of providing a sense of what colonial and frontier life were like in America. Maps and reproductions of period artwork coexist somewhat uncomfortably with color photos from modern-day museums and reconstructed settlements, which are not always identified as such. Each book includes a time line and useful "Places to Visit" section. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer:

(4) 4-6 How We Lived series. Peppered with quotations from primary sources, these books do an adequate job of providing a sense of what colonial and frontier life were like in America. Maps and reproductions of period artwork coexist somewhat uncomfortably with color photos from modern-day museums and reconstructed settlements, which are not always identified as such. Each book includes a time line and useful "Places to Visit" section. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer:

(4) 4-6 How We Lived series. Peppered with quotations from primary sources, these books do an adequate job of providing a sense of what colonial and frontier life were like in America. Maps and reproductions of period artwork coexist somewhat uncomfortably with color photos from modern-day museums and reconstructed settlements, which are not always identified as such. Each book includes a time line and useful "Places to Visit" section. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer:

(4) 4-6 Cities of the World series. Written in clear prose, the books explore the modern life of these European cities, combining anecdotes and facts with a brief historical background. Numerous color pictures, drawings, paintings, maps, and sidebars contribute to the travel-guide feeling of the books. Although a little fractured, they provide a lively introduction to the cities and their people. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elena Abos Alvarez-Buiza

(3) 4-6 Cities of the World series. This guidebook-like exploration of Argentina's capital city looks at its history, population, lifestyle, culture, geography, economy, and landmarks. Plenty of photos, informative sidebars, maps, a pronunciation guide, and a time line round out this straightforward introduction to the city. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Encyclopedia of First Ladies series. Sketchy but clearly written biographies chronicle the lives--the triumphs as well as the tragedies--of these women. From youth through achievements as a president's spouse, each woman's story is grounded in both a historical and social context, revealing the changing role of women throughout U.S. history. Highlighted text boxes provide further information about events and people of the period. Photographs and reproductions illustrate each volume. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Cities of the World series. Chatty profiles present the culture, history, and daily life of two American cities, then shift to become brief tour books, describing museums, neighborhoods, sporting and musical venues, and other major points of interest to visitors. An attractive design, featuring oversized photographs and reproductions of artwork, adds to the appeal. Fast facts, chronologies, maps, and online sites are appended. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.