(3) YA History's Great Structures series. These volumes focus on iconic structures in Europe. From background information about construction to contemporary use and modern updates, the history and significance of these architectural wonders is explored. Illustrations, modern and archival 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: Shakespeare's Globe Theater and The Eiffel Tower.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Understanding American History series. These titles treat complex topics with a high degree of sophistication. The texts include many primary source quotations; source notes reference academic work on the subjects. The vocabulary is suited to high school students, but the lack of a glossary may limit the audience. Photos and sidebars help break up the dense texts. An annotated list of "Important People" is appended. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Understanding American History titles: The Constitution and the Founding of a New Nation and The Internment of Japanese Americans.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) YA Monsters and Mythical Creatures series. Blurring fact and fiction, each volume begins with an overview of the historical and cultural origins of the featured creature, followed by an analysis of that monster in literature, film, and other media. Some of the many supporting pictures (photographs, illustrations, movies stills) are poorly placed. "Did You Know?" boxes add interest. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Monsters and Mythical Creatures titles: Medusa, The Mummy, and Trolls.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) YA Understanding World History series. These books give useful background on important periods of modern history. Holocaust presents a clear, concise account of the atrocities committed by the Nazis against Jews and other groups leading up to and during World War II. Decade recounts major events in the very recent past: 9/11, recessions, natural disasters, etc. Sidebars and photographs enhance the readable texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Understanding World History titles: The Holocaust and The Decade of the 2000s.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Monsters and Mythical Creatures series. These books provide detailed looks at the title creatures in history, legend, and popular culture. Color photographs and illustrations enhance the texts and include images from movies and television. Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, the authors present information from a variety of sources, including websites, and offer serious looks at fantastical creatures. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Monsters and Mythical Creatures titles: Goblins, Dragons, Cyclops, Water Monsters, and Zombies.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) YA Crime Scene Investigations series. This series emphasizes the collaborative efforts of science and law enforcement and examines the skills, determination, resources, and technologies used to solve crimes. Sidebars and photographs combine with the texts to highlight evidence gathering and interpretation, statistics, and career information. The writing is dense, but criminal justice enthusiasts will appreciate the thorough presentation. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Crime Scene Investigations titles: The Homicide Detective, The 9/11 Investigation, The Columbine School Shootings, The Murder of Emmett Till, and K-9 Police Units.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Vampire Library series. The series provides a serious-minded and historically grounded discussion of vampires, examining the creatures through different aspects of culture. Despite the books' overlapping content (some that contradicts itself in different volumes), the engaging style and earnest treatment of the topic will ensure that fans will drink the series up. Sidebars, photographs, and paintings support the texts. Reading list. Bib., ind. Review covers these Vampire Library titles: Encounters with Vampires, Vampire History and Lore, Vampires: Do They Exist?,Vampires in Literature, and Vampires in the Movies.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA Hot Topics series. These volumes provide broad overviews of their teen-relevant topics. The main texts are supported by sidebars and pull-quotes. Though a good number of stock photographs are included, readers will have trouble taking some of them seriously (e.g., a "gang" of suburban-looking teens hanging at an outdoor mall). Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Hot Topics titles: Cliques, Gangs, and Racism.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series. These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series. These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA Lucent Library of Black History series. These volumes provide historical overviews of African Americans' contributions to the worlds of visual, literary, and performing arts. Problems of racism and stereotyping as well as overcoming obstacles are discussed. The texts are dense but informative. Some illustrations and photographs help break up the pages. Film includes a timeline. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Lucent Library of Black History titles: Blacks in Film and The Black Arts Movement.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) 4-6 Mysterious & Unknown series. This volume covers the lead-up to and the unfolding of events, in addition to the aftermath of the JFK assassination. Much attention is given to the various accounts, scientific examinations, inconsistencies, and conspiracy theories that have arisen. Photos, pull-quotes, and sidebars break up the dense text (though they are occasionally poorly placed). Some of the lengthy captions are lifted directly from the main text. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. This clearly written volume presents descriptions, histories, and personal anecdotes about encounters with the devil. Sidebars addressing alternative explanations may satisfy skeptics, though the text does tend to present supernatural as fact. Stock photos and illustrations can be cheesy, but they break up the text nicely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi