(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: People You Should Know series. These biographies focus on individuals who've had a significant impact on American culture and history. Ginsburg highlights important decisions the Justice has been outspoken about and describes her place in pop culture. Bridges takes a broader look at the integration of Ruby's school and the reactions of her community. Sidebars, "Did You Know?" text boxes, well-chosen photographs, and word definitions accompany the readable texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: People You Should Know titles: Ruby Bridges and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Cause and Effect: The Bill of Rights series. Each of these accessible titles examines the causes for and effects of an amendment to the Bill of Rights, including how the amendment came to be, how it has evolved over time, and current controversies surrounding it. The dry but informative texts are accompanied by drawings, photographs, and quotes, as well as "Fast Facts" and word definitions. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Cause and Effect: The Bill of Rights titles: The First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and Religion and The Fourth Amendment: Civil Liberties.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Cause and Effect: The Bill of Rights series. Each of these accessible titles examines the causes for and effects of an amendment to the Bill of Rights, including how the amendment came to be, how it has evolved over time, and current controversies surrounding it. The dry but informative texts are accompanied by drawings, photographs, and quotes, as well as "Fast Facts" and word definitions. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Cause and Effect: The Bill of Rights titles: The First Amendment: Freedom of Speech and Religion and The Fourth Amendment: Civil Liberties.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Military Heroes series. Aimed at third and fourth graders, this brief history of the elite group of Navy personnel covers the selection, training, and endurance of the few who are chosen; historic missions, including the killing of Osama bin Laden, are also touched on. Photographs and sidebars provide additional insight. "Did You Know?" comments and Common Core–linked questions extend the informative text. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Military Heroes series. Aimed at third and fourth graders, this brief account of African American soldiers' roles during the First World War touches on recruitment of a volunteer regiment in 1916, prejudice and hostility during training, and the regiment's eventual combat in France. Archival photographs and sidebars provide additional insight. "Did You Know?" comments and Common Core–linked questions extend the informative text. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) PS Illustrated by Clive McFarland. Jaunty rhymes count as leaves grow, one by one, in the spring until it's summer; then back down in fall as colorful leaves disappear from the tree and "lie crumpled on the ground" come winter. Rendered in crayon, watercolor, acrylic paint, and digital finishing, the illustrations use bold shapes accessible to the youngest learners. A solid multiple-concept picture book.

Reviewer: Kristine Caldwell

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Primary Source History series. Clear double-page spreads feature a variety of visual elements including charts, graphs, and maps; reproduced photographs and documents; and sidebars with critical-thinking questions. The series purports to promote the importance of primary source material, though the direct quotes in red font are injected rather unnaturally into the narratives. Still, these are adequate starting points for American history research. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Primary Source History titles: A Primary Source History of the Gold Rush and A Primary Source History of the U.S. Civil War.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Fact Finders: Primary Source History series. Clear double-page spreads feature a variety of visual elements including charts, graphs, and maps; reproduced photographs and documents; and sidebars with critical-thinking questions. The series purports to promote the importance of primary source material, though the direct quotes in red font are injected rather unnaturally into the narratives. Still, these are adequate starting points for American history research. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Primary Source History titles: A Primary Source History of the Gold Rush and A Primary Source History of the U.S. Civil War.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Smithsonian: Exploring the 13 Colonies series. Straightforward, informative histories of four of the original thirteen colonies each explore the colony's unique characteristics, settlers, leaders (colonial and Native American), and events leading to involvement in the Revolutionary War. A balanced mixture of paintings, charts, documents, and maps effectively complements the narratives. Common Core–related questions are appended. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Smithsonian: Exploring the 13 Colonies titles: Exploring the Virginia Colony, Exploring the Georgia Colony, Exploring the Pennsylvania Colony, and Exploring the New Hampshire Colony.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: United States by Region series. This series looks at regions of the United States; in each book, four brief but efficient chapters cover people, history, land, climate, daily life, economy, culture, and recreation. Although the topic is broad, teachers and mid-elementary students will welcome the zoomed-out perspective. A clean design of well-captioned photographs, fact boxes, and integrated glossary definitions further the series' appeal. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fact Finders: United States by Region titles: People and Places of the Northeast and People and Places of the Southwest.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Connect: Discovering the New World series. This book in the curriculum-connection series discusses the interaction between European explorers and the American Indian nations they encountered in the "New World." Brief chapters describe relationships between Columbus and the Taino, Cartier and the Huron, Champlain and the Algonquin, among others. This limited introduction glosses over some aspects of the subject. Critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) YA African-American Icons series. These biographies highlight contemporary African American singers and actors. The texts don't sugarcoat their subjects' lives (e.g., Jay-Z's drug dealing past is fair game, along with Oprah's criticism of his songs' use of the N-word). Many of the sound-bite-ish quotes come from pop-culture interviews ("According to People magazine..."; "...he later told Playboy magazine..."). Oddly, no photos or illustrations are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Jay-Z, Chris Rock, Tyler Perry, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jennifer Hudson, and Beyoncé.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 American Revolution Through Primary Sources series. These bland introductions discuss growing tensions between England and the colonies; the significant events leading up to and during the war; the men, women, and children who helped bring victory to the thirteen colonies; and the founding of our Constitution. Archival photographs and maps (with "primary source" called out where applicable) enhance these histories. The books' young-looking format seems at odds with their intended audience. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. This review covers these American Revolution Through Primary Sources titles: American Indians and African Americans of the American Revolution, Courageous Children and Women of the American Revolution, The Making of the United States from Thirteen Colonies, An Overview of the American Revolution, Washington's Crossing the Delaware and the Winter at Valley Forge, and Why We Won the American Revolution.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 American Revolution Through Primary Sources series. These bland introductions discuss growing tensions between England and the colonies; the significant events leading up to and during the war; the men, women, and children who helped bring victory to the thirteen colonies; and the founding of our Constitution. Archival photographs and maps (with "primary source" called out where applicable) enhance these histories. The books' young-looking format seems at odds with their intended audience. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. This review covers these American Revolution Through Primary Sources titles: American Indians and African Americans of the American Revolution, Courageous Children and Women of the American Revolution, The Making of the United States from Thirteen Colonies, An Overview of the American Revolution, Washington's Crossing the Delaware and the Winter at Valley Forge, and Why We Won the American Revolution.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 American Revolution Through Primary Sources series. These bland introductions discuss growing tensions between England and the colonies; the significant events leading up to and during the war; the men, women, and children who helped bring victory to the thirteen colonies; and the founding of our Constitution. Archival photographs and maps (with "primary source" called out where applicable) enhance these histories. The books' young-looking format seems at odds with their intended audience. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. This review covers these American Revolution Through Primary Sources titles: American Indians and African Americans of the American Revolution, Courageous Children and Women of the American Revolution, The Making of the United States from Thirteen Colonies, An Overview of the American Revolution, Washington's Crossing the Delaware and the Winter at Valley Forge, and Why We Won the American Revolution.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 American Revolution Through Primary Sources series. These bland introductions discuss growing tensions between England and the colonies; the significant events leading up to and during the war; the men, women, and children who helped bring victory to the thirteen colonies; and the founding of our Constitution. Archival photographs and maps (with "primary source" called out where applicable) enhance these histories. The books' young-looking format seems at odds with their intended audience. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. This review covers these American Revolution Through Primary Sources titles: American Indians and African Americans of the American Revolution, Courageous Children and Women of the American Revolution, The Making of the United States from Thirteen Colonies, An Overview of the American Revolution, Washington's Crossing the Delaware and the Winter at Valley Forge, and Why We Won the American Revolution.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 American Revolution Through Primary Sources series. These bland introductions discuss growing tensions between England and the colonies; the significant events leading up to and during the war; the men, women, and children who helped bring victory to the thirteen colonies; and the founding of our Constitution. Archival photographs and maps (with "primary source" called out where applicable) enhance these histories. The books' young-looking format seems at odds with their intended audience. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. This review covers these American Revolution Through Primary Sources titles: American Indians and African Americans of the American Revolution, Courageous Children and Women of the American Revolution, The Making of the United States from Thirteen Colonies, An Overview of the American Revolution, Washington's Crossing the Delaware and the Winter at Valley Forge, and Why We Won the American Revolution.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 American Revolution Through Primary Sources series. These bland introductions discuss growing tensions between England and the colonies; the significant events leading up to and during the war; the men, women, and children who helped bring victory to the thirteen colonies; and the founding of our Constitution. Archival photographs and maps (with "primary source" called out where applicable) enhance these histories. The books' young-looking format seems at odds with their intended audience. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. This review covers these American Revolution Through Primary Sources titles: American Indians and African Americans of the American Revolution, Courageous Children and Women of the American Revolution, The Making of the United States from Thirteen Colonies, An Overview of the American Revolution, Washington's Crossing the Delaware and the Winter at Valley Forge, and Why We Won the American Revolution.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA American Rebels series. These biographies introduce iconoclastic, boundary-pushing individuals, from Elvis and his dangerous-seeming sensuality to Malcolm X's militant approach to civil rights. Each volume begins with a scene from a turning point in the subject's life, then details his rise to fame, personal and professional hardships, and legacy. Photographs, sidebars, and pull-quotes help break up the dense texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Rebels titles: John Lennon, Malcolm X, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) YA American Rebels series. This biography of the three-time heavyweight world champion, Vietnam War protester, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee includes useful context-setting background; Micklos's play-by-play descriptions of Ali's bouts provide just enough detail for boxing fans. Some photographs and pull-quotes help break up the dense pages. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes