(4) 4-6 Stories in American History series. The updated volumes in this series spotlight key moments in U.S. history, framing the discussions with coverage of the events leading up to and following those periods. The presentation of topics is adequate; occasional drawings and photos, which vary in relevance and clarity, give the merest hint of the period in each book. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Stories in American History titles: The California Gold Rush, The Amazing Underground Railroad, The Legend of the Alamo, Surviving the Oregon Trail, and The Incredible Transcontinental Railroad.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 United States at War series. These overviews focus on history, political significance, and military strategy and action, and how the title wars' outcomes affected future events. The authors creatively utilize quotes from political leaders, soldiers, and citizens of countries fighting in the wars. Color and black-and-white photographs and maps help spruce up an uninspired design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these United States at War titles: The Vietnam War, World War I, World War II in Europe, and World War II in the Pacific.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 United States at War series. These overviews focus on history, political significance, and military strategy and action, and how the title wars' outcomes affected future events. The authors creatively utilize quotes from political leaders, soldiers, and citizens of countries fighting in the wars. Color and black-and-white photographs and maps help spruce up an uninspired design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these United States at War titles: The Vietnam War, World War I, World War II in Europe, and World War II in the Pacific.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) YA Story of Mexico series. This series covers the history of Mexico from pre-Columbian times to the present. The writing is clear, engaging, and not overly simplified; Stein doesn't shy away from difficult topics such as drug-cartel violence today. Each of the volumes is well designed, with relevant photographs and illustrations. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Ancient Mexico, Emiliano Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, The Mexican-American War, and Modern Mexico.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) YA Story of Mexico series. This series covers the history of Mexico from pre-Columbian times to the present. The writing is clear, engaging, and not overly simplified; Stein doesn't shy away from difficult topics such as drug-cartel violence today. Each of the volumes is well designed, with relevant photographs and illustrations. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Ancient Mexico, Emiliano Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, The Mexican-American War, and Modern Mexico.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) YA Story of Mexico series. This series covers the history of Mexico from pre-Columbian times to the present. The writing is clear, engaging, and not overly simplified; Stein doesn't shy away from difficult topics such as drug-cartel violence today. Each of the volumes is well designed, with relevant photographs and illustrations. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Ancient Mexico, Emiliano Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, The Mexican-American War, and Modern Mexico.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) YA Story of Mexico series. This series covers the history of Mexico from pre-Columbian times to the present. The writing is clear, engaging, and not overly simplified; Stein doesn't shy away from difficult topics such as drug-cartel violence today. Each of the volumes is well designed, with relevant photographs and illustrations. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Ancient Mexico, Emiliano Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, The Mexican-American War, and Modern Mexico.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. From heroes and heroines to bandits and beloved American icons, these balanced titles consistently sort fact from fiction and confirm each figure's place in history. First chapters successfully introduce the subjects and draw readers in by describing dynamic events. Archival photographs, maps, primary sources, and sidebars combine with dry but informative texts to complete these well-documented biographies. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Americans--The Spirit of a Nation titles: Jesse James, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Billy the Kid, and Johnny Appleseed.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 America's Living History series. Opening with the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba, this engaging account provides a thorough discussion of events leading up to the thirteen days in history when the United States and the Soviet Union teetered on the edge of nuclear war. Archival photographs, maps, sidebars, and many primary sources effectively depict key figures, political posturing, and the nation's anxiety. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 From Many Cultures, One History series. These books give basic background inforamtion on turbulent times in American history. Though coverage is broad, the authors' use of personal stories and quotations may keep readers engaged. The information is supported by sidebars, well-captioned photographs, and archival reproductions. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these From Many Cultures, One History titles: The Tragic History of the Japanese-American Internment Camps and Escaping Slavery on the Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) YA Story of Mexico series. These historical volumes provide well-sourced information about Mexico. The series covers Spain's conquest of the Aztecs in the sixteenth century up through the Mexican Revolution in the early twentieth century. Photographs and archival reproductions help break up the texts, but overall, the series's design is uninspired, which may be off-putting to readers. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Benito Juárez and the French Intervention, Cortés and the Spanish Conquest, The Mexican Revolution, and The Mexican War of Independence.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) YA Story of Mexico series. These historical volumes provide well-sourced information about Mexico. The series covers Spain's conquest of the Aztecs in the sixteenth century up through the Mexican Revolution in the early twentieth century. Photographs and archival reproductions help break up the texts, but overall, the series's design is uninspired, which may be off-putting to readers. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Benito Juárez and the French Intervention, Cortés and the Spanish Conquest, The Mexican Revolution, and The Mexican War of Independence.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) YA Story of Mexico series. These historical volumes provide well-sourced information about Mexico. The series covers Spain's conquest of the Aztecs in the sixteenth century up through the Mexican Revolution in the early twentieth century. Photographs and archival reproductions help break up the texts, but overall, the series's design is uninspired, which may be off-putting to readers. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Benito Juárez and the French Intervention, Cortés and the Spanish Conquest, The Mexican Revolution, and The Mexican War of Independence.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) YA Story of Mexico series. These historical volumes provide well-sourced information about Mexico. The series covers Spain's conquest of the Aztecs in the sixteenth century up through the Mexican Revolution in the early twentieth century. Photographs and archival reproductions help break up the texts, but overall, the series's design is uninspired, which may be off-putting to readers. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Benito Juárez and the French Intervention, Cortés and the Spanish Conquest, The Mexican Revolution, and The Mexican War of Independence.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) 4-6 American Saga series. The texts of these fact-laden volumes are broken up with multiple design features, including chapter subheads, sidebars, photographs, and archival reproductions. Because they lack narrative energy, the books, which shed light on significant periods in American history, are best used for report research. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Saga titles: The Transcontinental Railroad and Western Expansion, The Industrial Revolution, The New Deal, and Colonial America.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) 4-6 American Saga series. The texts of these fact-laden volumes are broken up with multiple design features, including chapter subheads, sidebars, photographs, and archival reproductions. Because they lack narrative energy, the books, which shed light on significant periods in American history, are best used for report research. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Saga titles: The Transcontinental Railroad and Western Expansion, The Industrial Revolution, The New Deal, and Colonial America.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) 4-6 U.S. Armed Forces and Military Careers series. Each book begins with a description of a recent operation involving the respective service. A history of the service follows, detailing major wars. The authors also discuss what one must do to become a service member and opportunities that are available for those who enlist. Numerous photographs and sidebars help enliven the dense text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these U.S. Armed Forces and Military Careers titles: The U.S. Air Force, The U.S. Navy, The U.S. Army, and The U.S. Marine Corps.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 In American History series. These books highlight a pivotal event or period in U.S. history and discuss subsequent implications. The text is supplemented by excerpts from source documents and accompanied by dark black-and-white photos and reproductions. Lack of sufficient background information makes Prohibition and Home Front less effective than Triangle Shirtwaist. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these In American History titles: The Prohibition Era in American History, The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and Sweatshop Reform in American History, and The Home Front during World War II in American History.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 In American History series. Background information on George Pullman and his ascendancy in the business world is followed by an overview of the Pullman labor strike that, while in some ways a failure, led to the rise of the labor movement in the twentieth century. The bland text is supplemented by excerpts from source documents and unexceptional black-and-white photographs and reproductions. A time line is included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 In American History series. The latest installments in this series begin with gripping scenes featuring key players and participants in the historical conflicts discussed, and the authors generally don't let up on the drama. Thanks to short sentences and large print, these comprehensive primers shouldn't intimidate, but dark black-and-white archival photos and illustrations detract from the design. Each book includes quotations from primary sources and a time line. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram