(3) 4-6 Understanding Computing series. These practical volumes help young users get beyond point-and-click to a deeper understanding of personal computing. The basics of accessing and sorting information (Search) and safe internet behavior such as creating secure passwords and avoiding trolls and cyberbullies (Safety) are covered in simple terms. Case studies, diagrams, photos, screenshots, and fact boxes help make the information accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Understanding Computing titles: Understanding Computer Safety and Understanding Computer Search and Research.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Understanding Computing series. These practical volumes help young users get beyond point-and-click to a deeper understanding of personal computing. The basics of accessing and sorting information (Search) and safe internet behavior such as creating secure passwords and avoiding trolls and cyberbullies (Safety) are covered in simple terms. Case studies, diagrams, photos, screenshots, and fact boxes help make the information accessible. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Understanding Computing titles: Understanding Computer Safety and Understanding Computer Search and Research.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Winter Sports series. In each of these small-trim books, informative text begins with a brief history of the winter sport then covers the variety of events, equipment, techniques, and worldwide competitions. While the action shots are eye-catching and the content solid, the tiny type gets lost within a busy format filled with captions, quotes, bios of star athletes, and "No Way!" sidebars. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Winter Sports titles: Skiing, Snowboarding, and Figure Skating.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 Disaster Watch series. With an emphasis on understanding the threat, recognizing warning signs, and having an action plan, this series' focus is on reducing fatalities and property damage. Photographs, sidebars, maps, and graphs combine with primary sources and an accessible text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the featured disaster. The overly busy design may challenge some readers. The concluding quiz underscores the survival theme. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Disaster Watch titles: Earthquakes, Extreme Storms, Floods, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Disaster Watch series. With an emphasis on understanding the threat, recognizing warning signs, and having an action plan, this series' focus is on reducing fatalities and property damage. Photographs, sidebars, maps, and graphs combine with primary sources and an accessible text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the featured disaster. The overly busy design may challenge some readers. The concluding quiz underscores the survival theme. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Disaster Watch titles: Earthquakes, Extreme Storms, Floods, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Disaster Watch series. With an emphasis on understanding the threat, recognizing warning signs, and having an action plan, this series' focus is on reducing fatalities and property damage. Photographs, sidebars, maps, and graphs combine with primary sources and an accessible text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the featured disaster. The overly busy design may challenge some readers. The concluding quiz underscores the survival theme. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Disaster Watch titles: Earthquakes, Extreme Storms, Floods, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Disaster Watch series. With an emphasis on understanding the threat, recognizing warning signs, and having an action plan, this series' focus is on reducing fatalities and property damage. Photographs, sidebars, maps, and graphs combine with primary sources and an accessible text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the featured disaster. The overly busy design may challenge some readers. The concluding quiz underscores the survival theme. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Disaster Watch titles: Earthquakes, Extreme Storms, Floods, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Disaster Watch series. With an emphasis on understanding the threat, recognizing warning signs, and having an action plan, this series' focus is on reducing fatalities and property damage. Photographs, sidebars, maps, and graphs combine with primary sources and an accessible text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the featured disaster. The overly busy design may challenge some readers. The concluding quiz underscores the survival theme. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Disaster Watch titles: Earthquakes, Extreme Storms, Floods, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Disaster Watch series. With an emphasis on understanding the threat, recognizing warning signs, and having an action plan, this series' focus is on reducing fatalities and property damage. Photographs, sidebars, maps, and graphs combine with primary sources and an accessible text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the featured disaster. The overly busy design may challenge some readers. The concluding quiz underscores the survival theme. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Disaster Watch titles: Earthquakes, Extreme Storms, Floods, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, and Wildfires.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 On the Radar: Sports series. In quick bursts of text, these volumes introduce the title sports' histories, moves, gear, and lingo, along with accounts of real-life participants. Many photographs demonstrate moves; some charts list career highlights and other details. While the busy layouts mirror the title sports' intensity and energy, they're still really hard to follow. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these On the Radar: Sports titles: Free Running and Freestyle BMX.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) YA Real Life Heroes series. Chapters relate real-life stories of fourteen people around the world affected by drugs--including addicts and their families. Central to each story is the descent into dependence and, for those who kick their habit, the trigger that begins recovery. Stock color photos (which lessen the personal stories' impact) and information boxes appear on every page. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Timelines series. These books explore the history of the title conflict through twenty-one key events or milestones (e.g., from Afghanistan: "The Soviet Invasion: December 24, 1979"). On each spread, a timeline gives a snapshot view of the period, used to both anchor each development and to expand upon it. Background about major figures is appended. The many images are relevant and well placed. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Timelines titles: The Iraq War and The War in Afghanistan.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 Combat Sports series. Each volume begins with a brief explanation of the combat sport then delves into its history. Discussion of the sport's popularity and competitive appeal, overviews of its famous participants, and "Top 10 Moves" are all explored. The spreads are busy with action photos, quotes, and sidebars, but the high-interest topics may attract reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Combat Sports titles: Karate, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Boxing, Judo, and Tae Kwon Do.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 Combat Sports series. Each volume begins with a brief explanation of the combat sport then delves into its history. Discussion of the sport's popularity and competitive appeal, overviews of its famous participants, and "Top 10 Moves" are all explored. The spreads are busy with action photos, quotes, and sidebars, but the high-interest topics may attract reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Combat Sports titles: Karate, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Boxing, Judo, and Tae Kwon Do.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 Combat Sports series. Each volume begins with a brief explanation of the combat sport then delves into its history. Discussion of the sport's popularity and competitive appeal, overviews of its famous participants, and "Top 10 Moves" are all explored. The spreads are busy with action photos, quotes, and sidebars, but the high-interest topics may attract reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Combat Sports titles: Karate, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Boxing, Judo, and Tae Kwon Do.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(3) 4-6 Can Science Solve? series. Beneath their tabloidlike covers, these updated volumes clearly describe the historical background of the title topics, then present a variety of theories that attempt to explain the mystery. Concise text, clear headings, easy-to-follow diagrams, and interesting photographs add to the usefulness. Thought-provoking questions encourage readers to draw their own conclusions. Most books include website references. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Can Science Solve? titles: The Mystery of Stone Circles, The Mystery of ESP, The Mystery of Life on Other Planets, and The Mystery of Vampires and Werewolves.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Scientists at Work series. These books discuss various branches of science, focusing on what it means to have a career in each field. The texts are generally accessible without talking down to readers (though they do end on a "study hard at school" note). The many photographs and drawings in addition to sidebars will draw in readers, though some pages are crowded. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Scientists at Work titles: Into the Fire, Dinosaur Hunters, History Detectives, Insect Investigators, Space Pioneers, and Secrets of the Deep.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Atomic series. These high-interest books about animals and animal behavior are good for browsing; slight on detailed material, they offer basic information plus some unusual tidbits (e.g., "A Komodo dragon can smell a meal from 5 miles away"). Busy layouts feature many photographs, illustrations, bulleted information, and boxed text. The diagonally set text design is eye-catching but could be difficult for struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Animal Spies, Creature Camouflage, Nature's Armor and Defenses, and Nature's Tricks.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) 4-6 Atomic series. These high-interest books about animals and animal behavior are good for browsing; slight on detailed material, they offer basic information plus some unusual tidbits (e.g., "A Komodo dragon can smell a meal from 5 miles away"). Busy layouts feature many photographs, illustrations, bulleted information, and boxed text. The diagonally set text design is eye-catching but could be difficult for struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Animal Spies, Creature Camouflage, Nature's Armor and Defenses, and Nature's Tricks.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) 4-6 Atomic series. These high-interest books about animals and animal behavior are good for browsing; slight on detailed material, they offer basic information plus some unusual tidbits (e.g., "A Komodo dragon can smell a meal from 5 miles away"). Busy layouts feature many photographs, illustrations, bulleted information, and boxed text. The diagonally set text design is eye-catching but could be difficult for struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Animal Spies, Creature Camouflage, Nature's Armor and Defenses, and Nature's Tricks.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo