(3) 4-6 Ignite: Whoops! A History of Bad Days series. This accessible volume features stories from the history of warfare that are by turns embarrassing and awe-inspiring. The succinct and entertaining text is supplemented with "Fast Fact" and "Did You Know?" boxes throughout, adding appealing tidbits of military trivia. Bright comic book–style graphics and color and archival photographs illustrate the narratives. Additional "Fun Facts" are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Defining Images series. This volume follows the work of Edward S. Curtis, who photographed Native American nations from the 1890s to the late 1920s. Taking into consideration Curtis's romanticized view of Native Peoples, Nardo provides a balanced portrait of Curtis's portraits and experiences. Well-reproduced black-and-white photos throughout enhance the fascinating account. Additional information on key photographs is appended. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Captured History series. Each excellent volume focuses on the impact of an iconic photo from a moment in history, here the deadly Kent State Vietnam War protest and the 9/11 terror attacks. In fascinating, engaging detail, each text describes events leading up to the photographed moment before zooming out to describe the larger historical moment, the photographer's background, and the image's ongoing legacy. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Captured History titles: Death at Kent State and Ground Zero.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) YA Library of Greek Mythology series. This series for older readers covers various aspects or themes of Greek mythology. In addition to the clear and informative, if rather dense, main text, each book includes illustrations, sidebars, and "word origins" boxes that provide a word's original ancient Greek meaning along with the modern usage. The five-chapter organization provides each topic with a useful structure. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Library of Greek Mythology titles: Creation Stories in Greek Mythology, Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology, Heroes in Greek Mythology, Monsters in Greek Mythology, and Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Library of Greek Mythology series. This series for older readers covers various aspects or themes of Greek mythology. In addition to the clear and informative, if rather dense, main text, each book includes illustrations, sidebars, and "word origins" boxes that provide a word's original ancient Greek meaning along with the modern usage. The five-chapter organization provides each topic with a useful structure. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Library of Greek Mythology titles: Creation Stories in Greek Mythology, Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology, Heroes in Greek Mythology, Monsters in Greek Mythology, and Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Library of Greek Mythology series. This series for older readers covers various aspects or themes of Greek mythology. In addition to the clear and informative, if rather dense, main text, each book includes illustrations, sidebars, and "word origins" boxes that provide a word's original ancient Greek meaning along with the modern usage. The five-chapter organization provides each topic with a useful structure. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Library of Greek Mythology titles: Creation Stories in Greek Mythology, Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology, Heroes in Greek Mythology, Monsters in Greek Mythology, and Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Library of Greek Mythology series. This series for older readers covers various aspects or themes of Greek mythology. In addition to the clear and informative, if rather dense, main text, each book includes illustrations, sidebars, and "word origins" boxes that provide a word's original ancient Greek meaning along with the modern usage. The five-chapter organization provides each topic with a useful structure. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Library of Greek Mythology titles: Creation Stories in Greek Mythology, Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology, Heroes in Greek Mythology, Monsters in Greek Mythology, and Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Library of Greek Mythology series. This series for older readers covers various aspects or themes of Greek mythology. In addition to the clear and informative, if rather dense, main text, each book includes illustrations, sidebars, and "word origins" boxes that provide a word's original ancient Greek meaning along with the modern usage. The five-chapter organization provides each topic with a useful structure. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Library of Greek Mythology titles: Creation Stories in Greek Mythology, Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology, Heroes in Greek Mythology, Monsters in Greek Mythology, and Natural Phenomena in Greek Mythology.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Deadliest Predators series. After a general introduction titled "Terrors of the Land, Seas, and Air," six chapters cover individual types of dinosaurs (Tyrannosaurus rex, Spinosaurus, etc.). Topics include appearance, habitat, and hunting and capturing prey; the text's tone is sometimes gruesome. "At-a-Glance" sidebars are useful for comparison. The dense text is off-putting, but the many renderings and fossil photos should fascinate dinosaur fans. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Daily Life in Ancient Civilizations series. These engaging volumes detail everyday life in ancient civilizations, providing consistently interesting information kids will want to know. Religion, family life, dwellings, education, and entertainment are covered, along with the lasting impact each civilization has had. Frequent "How Do We Know?" sections highlight primary sources; photographs and illustrations of both past and present landmarks add visual interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. This review covers the following Daily Life in Ancient Civilizations titles: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt and Daily Life in the Islamic Golden Age.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Daily Life in Ancient Civilizations series. These engaging volumes detail everyday life in ancient civilizations, providing consistently interesting information kids will want to know. Religion, family life, dwellings, education, and entertainment are covered, along with the lasting impact each civilization has had. Frequent "How Do We Know?" sections highlight primary sources; photographs and illustrations of both past and present landmarks add visual interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. This review covers the following Daily Life in Ancient Civilizations titles: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt and Daily Life in the Islamic Golden Age.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Captured History series. Andrew J. Russell's job was to "document one of the largest construction projects ever attempted in the United States": the building of a transcontinental railroad. In 1869, he took "The Champagne Photo," famously recording eastern and western track-layers meeting in the middle of the country. In a spacious design, the well-written narrative is illustrated with numerous archival photographs. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) 4-6 Perspectives Flip Books series. Each volume is packaged as two books in one, and the series gimmick presents purported opposing views on the titular movements. Thus the "Activists' Perspective" is followed (on the flip side) by "Segregationists' Perspective." Both views are relayed in the same fact-driven voice; overall these are solid discussions. Archival photos and sidebars support the texts. The small-size font may be off-putting to some readers. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Perspectives Flip Books titles: The Split History of the Civil Rights Movement and The Split History of the Women's Suffrage Movement.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) 4-6 Captured History series. Analyzing visual images and setting them in a larger historical and cultural context is an important skill. This volume uses Heinrich Hoffmann's 1940 photograph of Hitler in front of the Eiffel Tower to discuss the dictator's rise to power and Hoffmann's image-crafting of his subject. A spacious page design, which includes plenty of photos, enhances the presentation. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Great Idea: Engineering series. Because The Great Wall of China took nearly two thousand years to construct, Nardo aptly focuses on its shifting historical context, including changes in its purpose over time. Conversely, the Burj Khalifa and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway are both contemporary structures designed to break records and bring modernity to remote areas of Asia. Diagrams, maps, and photos amplify the comprehensive accounts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Idea: Engineering titles: Qinghai-Tibet Railway, Burj Khalifa, and The Great Wall of China.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(3) 4-6 Great Idea: Engineering series. Nardo briefly explains the initial purpose of the Giza pyramids--to deter grave-robbing of royal tombs--and predominantly focuses on the development of these remarkable structures without modern technology. Historical myths regarding the pyramids' construction are swiftly redressed, giving credit where credit is due: to free Egyptian workers. Diagrams, maps, and historical photos helpfully amplify the account. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson

(4) YA Living History series. England presents a reliable overview of the lives of British people from all walks of life. Illustrations and boxed quotations create infrequent breaks, and visual material is uninspired. Nazi's tight focus makes this volume more successful. Primary source quotations and compelling (albeit horrifying) details are explicit; period photos are effective. In both books, pull-out boxes define some words, but a glossary would have been helpful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Living History titles: Life in Charles Dickens's England and Life in a Nazi Concentration Camp.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA In Controversy series. After introducing concerns regarding teen pregnancy, subsequent chapters address five key issues from differing perspectives. Captioned stock photographs add little to the straightforward text; text boxes provide supplementary information, and pull quotes highlight salient points. The text-heavy pages may be off-putting to some readers. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) YA History's Great Structures series. In these volumes, ancient architectural wonders are detailed, from the background behind their construction to how they were used to their subsequent decline and eventual conservation and restoration. Illustrations, modern photographs, maps, diagrams, sidebars, and definitions supplement the rich, detailed, but still easy-to-read text. Numerous quotations from primary and secondary sources add academic weight. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these History's Great Structures titles: The Medieval Castle, The Parthenon of Ancient Greece, and The Roman Colosseum.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(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