(4) YA Cutting Edge Technology series. These five dense books provide a report on current (as of publication) innovations in a variety of engineering fields, including alternative energies, communications, vehicles, weapons, and virtual realities. The focus is more on description of the products than on explanation of the underlying science. Photographs of the many technological products and of people designing them, promoting them, and interacting with them are included. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Cutting Edge Technology titles: Cutting Edge Energy Technology, Cutting Edge Entertainment Technology, Cutting Edge Military Technology, Cutting Edge Transportation Technology, and Cutting Edge Internet Technology.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Issues in Society series. Introductions describe the current status of these drugs in the U.S. Performance-Enhancing largely explores the difficulties of testing professional and amateur athletes and the vagaries of which organizations are responsible for testing. Marijuana emphasizes its dangers rather than presenting a balanced view. Color photos and occasional "Viewpoint" sections add interest to the dense prose and dull, textbook-like layouts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Issues in Society titles: How Harmful Are Performance-Enhancing Drugs? and Is Marijuana Harmful?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Profiles in Science series. Thoroughly documented and handsomely illustrated, these biographies focus on their subjects' contributions to science, with historical and cultural contexts included for greater understanding. The Englishman Halley's study of comets' orbits, the medieval Arab scholar Ibn al-Haytham's devotion to a strict scientific method, and the transplanted German Herschel's astronomical observations are thoughtfully explored. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Profiles in Science titles: Scheduling the Heavens, Ibn Al-Haytham, and Double Stars.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA People in the News series. Tracing the lives and careers of six notable figures, these admiring biographies are generally superficial in tone. The most recent events in the subjects' lives are sometimes given brief coverage but are not explored in any depth--making the books seem already dated. Murky black-and-white photographs of varying quality illustrate the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta