(3) YA Special Reports series. This excellent, extensively researched, and well-balanced series unpacks the details behind trending topics and current events. This volume examines President Trump's decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement as well as its repercussions. Topics include arguments for and against the Paris Climate Agreement, other countries' reactions to the U.S. withdrawal, and the science of climate change. Sidebars, photographs, and individual profiles are featured throughout. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Class in America series. This unique series--geared to school reports but with intriguing topics and ideas that go beyond the curriculum--could also provide support for debates and political action for motivated readers. Charts, graphs, archival photos, and contemporary color photos break up the dense information and detailed sidebars. Lots of discussion-starter questions make these books relevant to today's readers. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Class in America titles: The American Middle Class, Being Poor in America, Class and Education, Class and Race, Class Mobility, The Future of Work in America, The Health-Care Divide, and The One Percent.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA Defining Images series. This volume details the history of Ellis Island, with a focus on William Williams, commissioner during its busiest years in the early twentieth century. Williams's record-keeping and extensive collection of photographs, letters, and more provide valuable insight into the workings of the immigration station. Powerful archival photos enhance the account. Additional information on key photographs is appended. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Great Moments in Science series. Each book starts with an iconic scientific moment then explores its historic and biographical context, with supporting images, primary sources, curated online sources, and critical thinking questions interspersed throughout. With a consistent format, the books respond to core curriculum guidelines and expand on these scientists' founding stories, although some of the "great moment" hooks work better than others. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Great Moments in Science titles: Charles Darwin Develops the Theory of Evolution, Isaac Newton Discovers Gravity, Louis Pasteur Advances Microbiology, Thomas Edison Invents the Light Bulb, Marie Curie Advances the Study of Radioactivity, and Rachel Carson Sparks the Environmental Movement.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Great Moments in Science series. Each book starts with an iconic scientific moment then explores its historic and biographical context, with supporting images, primary sources, curated online sources, and critical thinking questions interspersed throughout. With a consistent format, the books respond to core curriculum guidelines and expand on these scientists' founding stories, although some of the "great moment" hooks work better than others. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Great Moments in Science titles: Charles Darwin Develops the Theory of Evolution, Isaac Newton Discovers Gravity, Louis Pasteur Advances Microbiology, Thomas Edison Invents the Light Bulb, Marie Curie Advances the Study of Radioactivity, and Rachel Carson Sparks the Environmental Movement.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) YA Presidential Powerhouses series. Through these significant presidencies, this thorough series examines crucial periods in America's history: the birth of a fledgling nation, the War of 1812, the Great Depression and WWII, and the dawn of America's "New Frontier." Each president's early life, administration milestones, and ultimate legacy are discussed in detailed chapters filled with maps and period photos or illustrations. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Presidential Powerhouses titles: Franklin D. Roosevelt's Presidency, George Washington's Presidency, John F. Kennedy's Presidency, and James Madison's Presidency.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Wild West series. This series presents condensed information about the development of the American West in the 1800s (e.g., the Louisiana Purchase; building the Transcontinental Railroad) and the people who helped shape this region. Although details are limited, these books may inspire a deeper curiosity about this colorful historical period. Sidebars, maps, captioned archival photographs and paintings, and back matter activity prompts add interest. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Wild West titles: Famous Lawmen, The Oregon Trail, The Pony Express, The Louisiana Purchase, Notorious Outlaws, Women of the American West, and The Transcontinental Railroad.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Ancient Civilizations series. Each volume introduces a civilization by covering a wide variety of topics including origins, political systems, religions, and daily life. Chapters are broken into subcategories, with numerous sidebars, photos, illustrations, and maps adding detail to the main narrative. The texts themselves are accessible without dumbing down the information. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. This review covers the following Ancient Civilizations titles: Ancient Maya, Ancient Rome, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Ancient India.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Perspectives Flip Books: Issues series. Designed to help students understand and debate the two titular issues, each book presents one side; flip it over to read about the other. Both books present reasonable ideas and approaches but will become out-of-date soon (e.g., social media rapidly changes). Stock photos and graphs illustrate the texts; discussion questions and a pro-and-con summary are included. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Perspectives Flip Books: Issues titles: Punishing Bullies and Social Media.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Great Minds of Science series. Featuring innovative scientists, several from underrepresented groups, these biographies discuss childhood interests, study, diligence, and professional achievements, from tobacco farmer Banneker's almanac to Earle's underwater research and publications. Some effective primary material linked to online resources is included; frequent integrative questions and prompts may distract general researchers. Many photos and diagrams illustrate the text, though the pale-yellow-type captions aren't optimal. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Minds of Science titles: Charles Drew, George Washington Carver, Sylvia Earle, Jane Goodall, Charles Darwin, and Benjamin Banneker.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Contemporary Lives series. Each musical star is profiled in these adequate biographies, illustrated with frequent, middling-quality photos. The texts comprehensively, if dryly, cover the artists' professional accomplishments--hit songs, albums, tours, and awards--as well as personal achievements and struggles, including Pink's early drug use and Chris Brown's assault of Rihanna. Quotes by and about the musicians are thoroughly sourced. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Contemporary Lives titles: Rihanna, Pink, and Bruno Mars.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Essential Lives series. Though sometimes repetitive (Estée) or awkwardly written (Malcolm X), these standard-issue biographies, illustrated with stock photographs, do offer balanced portraits of their subjects and will be useful for report writers. With fewer years to cover, Malala includes chapters on Pakistan, Islam, and the Taliban. The many sidebars are informative if somewhat distracting. Reading list, timelime. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Lives titles: Estée Lauder, Jonas Salk, Malcolm X, and Malala Yousafzai.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(4) YA Publishing Pioneers series. Stretching across the centuries, from the first printed volumes (1400s) to today's realm of bookselling in cyberspace, these biographies portray the lives of achievers who have shaped the world of books. The writing is bland but accessible; students will come away with an appreciation of the far-reaching social impact of each individual's innovations. Sidebars, period illustrations, photographs, and maps augment the texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Publishing Pioneers titles: Barnes & Noble, Jeff Bezos, Randolph Caldecott, Melvil Dewey, and Johannes Gutenberg.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute