(2) K-3 Illustrated by Melissa Iwai. On September 9, 1942, the Japanese dropped two bombs near Brookings, Oregon--the first attack from the air on the continental U.S. That Nobleman can tell this story more lightheartedly than not is attributable to limited damage by the bombs and the remarkable reconciliation years later between the townspeople and the Japanese pilot, Nobuo Fujita. The naturalistic cartooning of Iwai's line and watercolor illustrations serves the story's many settings. Bib.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. In 1917 Cottingley, England, young cousins Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths produced what they claimed were photographs of real fairies. Arthur Conan Doyle featured them in The Strand, giving the girls more attention than they'd probably bargained for. With a crisp and engaging style, Nobleman relates this fascinating story. Incorporating the original photographs, Wheeler's lively mixed-media illustrations have an Edwardian sensibility and a sepia-dominated palette. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ana Aranda. Three nervous goats decide to prevent the hungry chupacabra from eating them by offering it silly things to swallow instead. Aranda's vibrant watercolor and gouache illustrations turn a potentially scary story into a colorful romp, though the enjoyably absurd scenario is limited by the attempt to have all the potential foods sound similar to chupacabra (candelabra, cucaracha, etc.).

Reviewer: Siena Leslie

(2) 4-6 This epistolary novel explores both the challenges of war for soldier Joe and the uncertainty for his ten-year-old brother Charlie of being on the home front during WWII. Joe's letters describe life as a soldier stationed in Europe without sounding like a history book. The large font and Charlie's clear, breezy letters make this accessible to young independent readers.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ty Templeton. Writer Bill Finger is the unsung champion in the creation of the Batman character. Through Finger's own hardships, readers can witness the development of Batman's history. The illustrations add an appropriate comic-book tone and atmosphere to the story. A six-page author's note contains valuable information about Nobleman's research. Bib.

Reviewer: Madoka Fukai

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Ross MacDonald. Jerry Siegel imagines and writes about a hero, an alien with incredible strength whose secret identity is an ordinary guy. Jerry's look-alike friend Joe Shuster illustrates his work. MacDonald's retro images show the friends sporting matching glasses and button-down shirts, fitting right into the circa-1930s world. Nobleman's author's note continues the story and explores the business side of comics. Bib.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2008

(4) 4-6 Special Ops series. This series examines selected operations designed for specific purposes in the armed forces. Using a similar format, each book includes a basic history, describes the selection and training processes, and discusses the role of the unit today. Many readers will find the information limited, but reluctant readers may be drawn to the plentiful photographs and accessible language. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Special Ops titles: Green Berets in Action, Delta Force in Action, Army Rangers in Action, Marine Force Recon in Action, Pararescuemen in Action, and Navy SEALs in Action.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Atomic series. Cowboy fashion, gear, and lingo are a few of the topics explored in splashy double-page chapters. Nobleman also touches on myths, cowgirls, and cowboys around the world. The busy page design includes diagonally set text, captioned photos, vocabulary words at the bottom of the page, and "Cowboy fact!" boxes, all of which may be distracting to some struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Ernie J. Cox

(4) 4-6 Atomic series. This book provides a simple overview, presenting facts and myths about past and modern-day pirates (including two females). Nobleman explores topics in splashy double-page chapters. The busy page design includes diagonally set text, captioned photos, vocabulary words at the bottom of the page, and "Pirate fact!" boxes, all of which may be distracting to struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Atomic series. Nobleman offers basic information about medieval knights and Roman gladiators, along with details about warriors from other countries and eras. The topics are presented in splashy two-page chapters. The busy page design includes diagonally set text, captioned photos, vocabulary words at the bottom of the page, and fact boxes, all of which may be distracting to struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Gladiator and Knight.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Atomic series. Nobleman offers basic information about medieval knights and Roman gladiators, along with details about warriors from other countries and eras. The topics are presented in splashy two-page chapters. The busy page design includes diagonally set text, captioned photos, vocabulary words at the bottom of the page, and fact boxes, all of which may be distracting to struggling readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Gladiator and Knight.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Atomic series. Supplemented by well-chosen photographs as well as occasional cartoons by the author, this series presents the facts--legends, history, science, media involvement--and focuses on the unanswered questions, encouraging open-minded curiosity while avoiding misleading conclusions. Sidebars and handy definitions on the pages aid the pacing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Aliens and UFOs, Ghosts, Mummies, and Vampires.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) 4-6 Atomic series. Supplemented by well-chosen photographs as well as occasional cartoons by the author, this series presents the facts--legends, history, science, media involvement--and focuses on the unanswered questions, encouraging open-minded curiosity while avoiding misleading conclusions. Sidebars and handy definitions on the pages aid the pacing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Aliens and UFOs, Ghosts, Mummies, and Vampires.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) 4-6 Atomic series. Supplemented by well-chosen photographs as well as occasional cartoons by the author, this series presents the facts--legends, history, science, media involvement--and focuses on the unanswered questions, encouraging open-minded curiosity while avoiding misleading conclusions. Sidebars and handy definitions on the pages aid the pacing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Aliens and UFOs, Ghosts, Mummies, and Vampires.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) 4-6 Atomic series. Supplemented by well-chosen photographs as well as occasional cartoons by the author, this series presents the facts--legends, history, science, media involvement--and focuses on the unanswered questions, encouraging open-minded curiosity while avoiding misleading conclusions. Sidebars and handy definitions on the pages aid the pacing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Atomic titles: Aliens and UFOs, Ghosts, Mummies, and Vampires.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(4) 4-6 Countries and Cultures series. The geography and history of Ireland and Greece are briefly explored in two short, informative books. Maps and photographs highlight main points. All the basic facts needed for an elementary social studies report are present, but the daily-life sections seem somewhat stereotypical because of their brevity. Directory, reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Countries and Cultures titles: Ireland and Greece.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Countries and Cultures series. The books in this series offer brief information about India's and Pakistan's geography, history, and culture. Both do a fairly good job compressing years of history and current political issues into short chapters, but the texts therefore read more like encyclopedia entries due to the amount of information the books attempt to cover. Directory, reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Countries and Cultures titles: India and Pakistan.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Countries of the World series. This book, intended for report writers, offers brief, introductory information about Panama's geography, home and school life, food, animals, and leisure activities. With color photographs and a choppy text, the book is less extensive than an encyclopedia article. This volume concludes with instructions for a game and a few Spanish words. A brief resource list is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Countries of the World series. This book, intended for report writers, offers brief, introductory information about Cambodia's geography, home and school life, food, animals, and leisure activities. With color photographs and a choppy text, the book is less extensive than an encyclopedia article. This volume concludes with directions for playing a game and a few Khmer words. A brief resource list is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow