(3) 4-6 Building by Design series. These books focus on four formidable architectural marvels constructed in diverse regions of the world. Each book details a specific building, giving an account of its unique purpose, history, design, construction, and modern use. Budding architects will find the series engaging. Stock photographs, diagrams, direct quotes, and sidebars provide clarity. "Fast Facts" and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Building by Design titles: Engineering the Space Needle, Engineering the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Engineering Burj Khalifa, and Engineering the Taj Mahal.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Building by Design series. McCarthy details how the International Space Station (ISS) became an engineering reality through international cooperation. She traces its history from inception to 2018 and includes discussions of the project's purpose, construction module-by-module, setbacks, astronauts' day-to-day activities, and knowledge gained from its success. Stock photographs, diagrams, direct quotes, and sidebars add clarity. "Fast Facts" and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Building by Design series. Each book in this engaging engineering-focused series describes the history and construction of a famous structure, and explains how the landmark is maintained today. Sidebars (some with prompts and website links) as well as photographs, drawings, and diagrams enhance each main text's four chapters. Each book includes "Straight to the Source" pages quoting a primary source, discussion questions throughout, and additional appended facts. There are four other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Building by Design titles: Engineering the Golden Gate Bridge, Engineering the Colosseum, Engineering the NYC Subway System, and Engineering the Eiffel Tower.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) 4-6 Bioindicator Species series. In a series covering species that act as "canaries in a coalmine" for particular habitats, these books discuss how threats such as pollution, use of pesticides, and habitat loss have decreased these insects' populations, and why monitoring them is important. Photos, maps, and graphs break up the accessible texts; researchers may find the Common Core–focused sections with reading-comprehension questions, prompts, and links distracting. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bioindicator Species titles: Dragonflies Matter. Monarch Butterflies Matter, and Bees Matter.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Geology Rocks! series. These books present fourth graders with basic information about rocks in rather choppy texts; Cycle focuses mainly on processes, while the others include details on classification, chemistry, and examples of familiar sites such as the Grand Canyon. Photographs of rock samples and land formations clearly illustrate their important features, and helpful diagrams illustrate geological concepts. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Geology Rocks! titles: Sedimentary Rocks, Metamorphic Rocks, The Rock Cycle, and Igneous Rocks.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Super-Awesome Science series. This series uses high-interest topics as a way to lure readers into consideration of myriad scientific concepts (including medicine, optics, acoustics, and Newton's laws of motion) and technological cornerstones such as sound recording and mechanical design. Photographs are plentiful but not always captioned. Comprehension activities and writing prompts are included throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Super-Awesome Science titles: The Science of Superheroes, The Science of Speed, The Science of Sports, The Science of Movies, The Science of Music, and The Science of Warriors.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) 4-6 Super-Awesome Science series. This series uses high-interest topics as a way to lure readers into consideration of myriad scientific concepts (including medicine, optics, acoustics, and Newton's laws of motion) and technological cornerstones such as sound recording and mechanical design. Photographs are plentiful but not always captioned. Comprehension activities and writing prompts are included throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Super-Awesome Science titles: The Science of Superheroes, The Science of Speed, The Science of Sports, The Science of Movies, The Science of Music, and The Science of Warriors.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) 4-6 Super-Awesome Science series. This series uses high-interest topics as a way to lure readers into consideration of myriad scientific concepts (including medicine, optics, acoustics, and Newton's laws of motion) and technological cornerstones such as sound recording and mechanical design. Photographs are plentiful but not always captioned. Comprehension activities and writing prompts are included throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Super-Awesome Science titles: The Science of Superheroes, The Science of Speed, The Science of Sports, The Science of Movies, The Science of Music, and The Science of Warriors.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(3) 4-6 National Parks series. Each volume in this series provides an in-depth look at the cultural, geological, and biological history of a national park. In refreshingly thoughtful detail, this series avoids the usual series cookie-cutting by examining the topics relevant to each place, including wildlife, Native American populations, and conservation plans. Participatory sidebars and thought-provoking questions are included throughout. Park map appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Parks titles: Yellowstone National Park, Everglades National Park, Glacier National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Colorful World of Animals series. Geared toward emergent readers, this series neatly packages rudimentary information about colorful animals. Large, vibrant, and appropriately placed photographs show the animals at many life stages. The text is simple but still provides basic facts about each animal’s physical features, life cycle, social habits, predators, and geographical spread. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Colorful World of Animals titles: Flamingos, Macaws, and Peacocks.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Colorful World of Animals series. Geared toward emergent readers, this series neatly packages rudimentary information about colorful animals. Large, vibrant, and appropriately placed photographs show the animals at many life stages. The text is simple but still provides basic facts about each animal’s physical features, life cycle, social habits, predators, and geographical spread. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Colorful World of Animals titles: Flamingos, Macaws, and Peacocks.

Reviewer: Bethany Templeton Klem