(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: They Survived series. While the sinking of the Titanic is probably familiar to young readers, the heroism of Louis Zamperini may not be. Both readable volumes contain detailed texts accompanied by both black-and-white and color photos. The chronological narratives are compelling, enhanced by boxed photo captions. Each book concludes with a "surviving deadly situations" feature with practical tips for doing just that. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: They Survived titles: Surviving a World War II Prison Camp and Surviving A Shipwreck

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Little Pets series. In four brief chapters, each book superficially describes the physical characteristics, behaviors, birth and development, diet, and care of a popular species selectively bred to be miniature and docile "little pets." Each ends with a very simple anatomical diagram. Large, high-quality stock photographs captioned with additional information illustrate the somewhat choppy texts. "Fun Facts" sections are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Little Pets titles: Dwarf Rabbits, Mini Horses, Mini Pigs, and Pygmy Goats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Little Pets series. In four brief chapters, each book superficially describes the physical characteristics, behaviors, birth and development, diet, and care of a popular species selectively bred to be miniature and docile "little pets." Each ends with a very simple anatomical diagram. Large, high-quality stock photographs captioned with additional information illustrate the somewhat choppy texts. "Fun Facts" sections are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Little Pets titles: Dwarf Rabbits, Mini Horses, Mini Pigs, and Pygmy Goats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Little Pets series. In four brief chapters, each book superficially describes the physical characteristics, behaviors, birth and development, diet, and care of a popular species selectively bred to be miniature and docile "little pets." Each ends with a very simple anatomical diagram. Large, high-quality stock photographs captioned with additional information illustrate the somewhat choppy texts. "Fun Facts" sections are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Little Pets titles: Dwarf Rabbits, Mini Horses, Mini Pigs, and Pygmy Goats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Little Pets series. In four brief chapters, each book superficially describes the physical characteristics, behaviors, birth and development, diet, and care of a popular species selectively bred to be miniature and docile "little pets." Each ends with a very simple anatomical diagram. Large, high-quality stock photographs captioned with additional information illustrate the somewhat choppy texts. "Fun Facts" sections are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Little Pets titles: Dwarf Rabbits, Mini Horses, Mini Pigs, and Pygmy Goats.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: The World of Gaming series. Each of these informative titles introduces young readers to a specific popular video game, sharing--over four or five brief chapters--the history of each game's development, success, and fandom. Full-page sidebars feature key developers and related careers. Photos of game content, creators, and actual fans appear on every page and highlight the gaming industry's racial and gender diversity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: The World of Gaming titles: The World of Angry Birds, The World of Minecraft, The World of Mario Bros., and The World of Pokémon.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: The World of Gaming series. Each of these informative titles introduces young readers to a specific popular video game, sharing--over four or five brief chapters--the history of each game's development, success, and fandom. Full-page sidebars feature key developers and related careers. Photos of game content, creators, and actual fans appear on every page and highlight the gaming industry's racial and gender diversity. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: The World of Gaming titles: The World of Angry Birds, The World of Minecraft, The World of Mario Bros., and The World of Pokémon.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Space Discovery Guides series. These are informative accounts of the people and technologies of space exploration and objects of their study. Numerous recent examples along with historical details explain topics such as space junk, spacecraft missions, and private companies pursuing space tourism. Helpful diagrams and good captioned photographs of scientific work on Earth and in space are included. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Space Discovery Guides titles: Astronauts, Garbage in Space, Private Space Travel, Pluto, and Mars Missions.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Shark World series. Each series volume contains four short sections of facts about a particular shark species, focusing on physical features, life cycles, and eating habits. The final two pages contain an anatomy diagram and details about the shark's relationship with people. Captioned color photographs on brightly colored pages support the text and feature plenty of ferocious open mouths without being too gory. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Shark World titles: Angel Sharks in Action, Great White Sharks in Action, Mako Sharks in Action, Tiger Sharks in Action, Hammerhead Sharks in Action, and Whale Sharks in Action.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Shark World series. Each series volume contains four short sections of facts about a particular shark species, focusing on physical features, life cycles, and eating habits. The final two pages contain an anatomy diagram and details about the shark's relationship with people. Captioned color photographs on brightly colored pages support the text and feature plenty of ferocious open mouths without being too gory. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Shark World titles: Angel Sharks in Action, Great White Sharks in Action, Mako Sharks in Action, Tiger Sharks in Action, Hammerhead Sharks in Action, and Whale Sharks in Action.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Shark World series. Each series volume contains four short sections of facts about a particular shark species, focusing on physical features, life cycles, and eating habits. The final two pages contain an anatomy diagram and details about the shark's relationship with people. Captioned color photographs on brightly colored pages support the text and feature plenty of ferocious open mouths without being too gory. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Shark World titles: Angel Sharks in Action, Great White Sharks in Action, Mako Sharks in Action, Tiger Sharks in Action, Hammerhead Sharks in Action, and Whale Sharks in Action.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Shark World series. Each series volume contains four short sections of facts about a particular shark species, focusing on physical features, life cycles, and eating habits. The final two pages contain an anatomy diagram and details about the shark's relationship with people. Captioned color photographs on brightly colored pages support the text and feature plenty of ferocious open mouths without being too gory. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Shark World titles: Angel Sharks in Action, Great White Sharks in Action, Mako Sharks in Action, Tiger Sharks in Action, Hammerhead Sharks in Action, and Whale Sharks in Action.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: How Vehicles Work series. Each book gives a cursory overview of its titular vehicle. A simple narrative supplying brief information about purpose, engine, auxiliary equipment, and operator concludes with a catchy closing statement. Bright multicolored pages feature interesting full- and half-page photos. A diagram delineating working parts and random "Fun Facts" are appended. There are three other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: How Vehicles Work titles: How Do Fire Trucks Work?, How Do Formula One Race Cars Work?, and How Do Tanks Work?.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: How Vehicles Work series. Each book gives a cursory overview of its titular vehicle. A simple narrative supplying brief information about purpose, engine, auxiliary equipment, and operator concludes with a catchy closing statement. Bright multicolored pages feature interesting full- and half-page photos. A diagram delineating working parts and random "Fun Facts" are appended. There are three other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: How Vehicles Work titles: How Do Fire Trucks Work?, How Do Formula One Race Cars Work?, and How Do Tanks Work?.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: How Vehicles Work series. Each book gives a cursory overview of its titular vehicle. A simple narrative supplying brief information about purpose, engine, auxiliary equipment, and operator concludes with a catchy closing statement. Bright multicolored pages feature interesting full- and half-page photos. A diagram delineating working parts and random "Fun Facts" are appended. There are three other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: How Vehicles Work titles: How Do Fire Trucks Work?, How Do Formula One Race Cars Work?, and How Do Tanks Work?.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Biome Explorers series. Each volume includes an introductory chapter on the respective biome followed by a brief overview of some animals and plants within it and explanation of how all inhabitants work together to survive. Maps and stock photos provide clarity, but the placement of photo labels is sometimes distracting. Details on human impact and examples of "Biome Extremes" are appended. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Biome Explorers titles: Let's Visit the Deciduous Forest, Let's Visit the Ocean, Let's Visit the Desert, and Let's Visit the Rain Forest.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Biome Explorers series. Each volume includes an introductory chapter on the respective biome followed by a brief overview of some animals and plants within it and explanation of how all inhabitants work together to survive. Maps and stock photos provide clarity, but the placement of photo labels is sometimes distracting. Details on human impact and examples of "Biome Extremes" are appended. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Lightning Bolt Books: Biome Explorers titles: Let's Visit the Deciduous Forest, Let's Visit the Ocean, Let's Visit the Desert, and Let's Visit the Rain Forest.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Dinosaur Look-Alikes series. Each of these slight, easy-to-read texts highlights the differences between two species of dinosaur that look similar but exhibit unique behaviors and live in different habitats (and often different eras). Well-captioned, close-up photographs of fossils, detailed illustrations, large type, and brightly colored pages are accessible, especially for reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Dinosaur Look-Alikes titles: Can You Tell a Brachiosaurus from an Apatosaurus?[c1], Can You Tell a Giganotosaurus from a Spinosaurus?[c1], Can You Tell a Stegosaurus from an Ankylosaurus?[c1], Can You Tell a Triceratops from a Protoceratops?[c1], Can You Tell a Tyrannosaurus from an Allosaurus?[c1], and Can You Tell a Velociraptor from a Deinonychus?[c1].