(4) 4-6 Dabble Lab: Take Making to the Next Level 4D series. Routine experiments feature topics such as chemical reactions with baking soda, vinegar, and yeast; phase changes with ice cream; and photosynthesis through plant growth. The activities use fairly common household items and have clear directions. Photographs accompany the trickier steps, though many reveal the results. Explanations of the underlying science lack depth; the "4D" feature is an online video portal. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Dabble Lab: Next Chapter Crafts 4D series. Dabble lab: Next Chapter Crafts 4D series. Each book offers step-by-step directions for nine literary-genre-themed craft projects including games, decorations, toys, and more. Some require unusual materials such as wing nuts, washers, and plumbing materials. Each entry includes lists of supplies and multiple full-color photos to clarify processes; occasional "Now Try This" boxes suggest alterations or extensions. Additional content available through the Capstone 4D app. Reading list. Review covers these Dabble Lab: Next Chapter Crafts 4D titles: Stellar Science Fiction Crafts and Legendary Nonfiction Crafts.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Snap Books: Go-To Guides series. Both books provide suggestions and directions for games, crafts, and food appropriate for the common teen and preteen activities of babysitting and hosting a slumber party. Illustrated with color photos of kids of various ethnicities, the suggested activities are both simple and creative. Babysitter emphasizes safety and responsibility; Sleepover emphasizes the hostess's role in planning ahead and caring for her guests. Reading list. Review covers these Snap Books: Go-To Guides titles: A Babysitter's Guide to Keeping the Kids Entertained and A Girl's Guide to the Perfect Sleepover.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Edge Books: Kids Can Cook! series. Step-by-step recipes follow safety and cooking tips in these offbeat cookbooks. Campfire includes fire-specific tips and is organized by cooking method (in foil, skillet, or Dutch oven); Disgusting includes ideas for snacks, entrees, sides, and desserts, and recommends presenting mainstay foods in kid-appealingly gross ways (e.g., "Maggoty Chili"). Both include photos of completed dishes, quirky facts, and "Try This!" alterations. Reading list. Review covers these Edge Books: Kids Can Cook! titles: Campfire Chef and Disgusting Eats.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Helping Dogs series. Each of these winning volumes features a different kind of working dog, first summarizing the main jobs they perform, the best breeds for a task, length of training, and famous dogs who have performed these roles. The books then profile a couple of real on-the-job dogs and detail how each canine was trained. Appealing color photos and closing discussion questions accompany each entry. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Helping Dogs titles: Search and Rescue Dogs on the Job, Sled Dogs on the Job, Detection Dogs on the Job, and Therapy Dogs on the Job.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Newsmakers series. This accessibly written series is notable for its clean layouts, including color photographs, sidebars, and charts. The mostly complimentary narratives are decent overviews of their subjects' early lives as well as career successes and failures, but with living subjects, the content will soon become outdated. A "Stop and Think" feature offers discussion questions that can be used for assignments. There are four other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Newsmakers titles: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Julian Assange, Elon Musk, and Ellen DeGeneres.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 STEM in Sports series. This series successfully if broadly connects popular sports with STEM principles. The books examine facets of a sport to show how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are at work: friction while snowboarding, computerized goal-line sensors in soccer, etc. While the science content is cursory, athletes should find the books enlightening. Illustrations and diagrams help elucidate the concepts. There are four other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these STEM in Sports titles: STEM in Soccer, STEM in Snowboarding, STEM in Basketball, and STEM in Figure Skating.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Encounter series. Illustrated by Beidi Guo. During a dangerous journey out of Iraq, a refugee family loses their beloved cat. Through the actions of several volunteers and a social media campaign, the family is finally reunited with Kunkush in Norway. A heartwarming true story of hope amidst heartbreak, with digital illustrations that skillfully manipulate light and color palettes to convey emotion. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 First Facts: My First Guides series. An encouraging paragraph, safety cautions, and a list of tools introduce step-by-step directions for eight duct-tape projects illustrated with photographs. Crafts include bongo drums, a pirate treasure chest, a laser sword, and a kite. Very few tips for successfully manipulating the super-sticky duct tape are included. Reading list.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Natural Disaster True Survival Stories series. In a series about real-life disaster survival, this volume focuses on the earthquake that decimated Haiti in 2010. A brief introduction describes the disaster, followed by five chapters that detail real individuals' involvement. Gripping, you-are-there narratives are supplemented with primary source quotations (footnoted and sourced); photos and other graphics (maps, graphs, diagrams, etc.) provide additional insight. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Natural Disaster True Survival Stories series. In a series about real-life disaster survival, these volumes focus on two earthquakes and tsunamis that hit Asia. In each book, a brief introduction describes the disaster, followed by chapters that detail real individuals' involvement. Gripping, you-are-there narratives are supplemented with primary source quotations (footnoted and sourced); photos and other graphics (maps, graphs, diagrams, etc.) provide additional insight. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Natural Disaster True Survival Stories titles: Indian Ocean Tsunami and Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Worry Warriors series. Illustrated by Leo Trinidad. Four nine-year-old friends meet in their Worry Warriors clubhouse to strategize facing their fears. Adam, who is dyslexic, worries that he will fail an in-class essay test (Anxious), and Estella nervously anticipates her first sleepover (Edgy). Goofy cartoon illustrations and loyal, diverse protagonists lend appeal to these didactic tales. "Talk About It" and "Write About It" exercises are appended. Glos. Review covers the following Worry Warriors titles: Anxious Adam Braves the Test and Edgy Estella Aces the Sleepover Party.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) 4-6 Worry Warriors series. Illustrated by Leo Trinidad. Four nine-year-old friends meet in their Worry Warriors clubhouse to strategize facing their fears. Adam, who is dyslexic, worries that he will fail an in-class essay test (Anxious), and Estella nervously anticipates her first sleepover (Edgy). Goofy cartoon illustrations and loyal, diverse protagonists lend appeal to these didactic tales. "Talk About It" and "Write About It" exercises are appended. Glos. Review covers the following Worry Warriors titles: Anxious Adam Braves the Test and Edgy Estella Aces the Sleepover Party.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 Everyday Earth Science series. Each volume asks and answers three or four questions about earth science, from straightforward ("What Is a Cloud?") to potentially complex ("What Is Light?"). None of the answers, however, moves beyond the simplest definition. The accompanying photographs and diagrams vary in quality; some help explain the concepts, while others are merely decorative. A hands-on activity is included in each book. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Everyday Earth Science titles: What Makes It Rain?, What Is the Difference Between Clouds and Fog?, What Causes a Rainbow?, What Makes the Sky Blue?, What Is a Solstice?, and Why Does Earth Have Seasons?

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Survival Guide series. Color photos of disaster devastation, fanged creatures, and poisonous plants will enhance the appeal of these slim, dully designed books for those who enjoy contemplating life's hazards. Some real-life incidents are referenced, along with solid tips about emergency kits, signaling for help, and avoiding the worst dangers. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Survival Guide titles: How to Survive in the Wilderness, How to Survive a Tsunami, How to Survive an Animal Attack, and How to Survive an Earthquake.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Survival Guide series. Color photos of disaster devastation, fanged creatures, and poisonous plants will enhance the appeal of these slim, dully designed books for those who enjoy contemplating life's hazards. Some real-life incidents are referenced, along with solid tips about emergency kits, signaling for help, and avoiding the worst dangers. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Survival Guide titles: How to Survive in the Wilderness, How to Survive a Tsunami, How to Survive an Animal Attack, and How to Survive an Earthquake.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Survival Guide series. Color photos of disaster devastation, fanged creatures, and poisonous plants will enhance the appeal of these slim, dully designed books for those who enjoy contemplating life's hazards. Some real-life incidents are referenced, along with solid tips about emergency kits, signaling for help, and avoiding the worst dangers. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Survival Guide titles: How to Survive in the Wilderness, How to Survive a Tsunami, How to Survive an Animal Attack, and How to Survive an Earthquake.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 Edge Books: Imagine It, Build It series. Inexpensive supplies and quirky ideas for projects should attract the attention of middle-grade crafters. Some require skills with a utility knife and hot glue, but they're outlined clearly in stepped directions and adult help is recommended. Attention to detail will result in some awesome items: tin can lanterns and soda tab bracelets, a duct tape wallet and bongo drums, and more. Reading list. Review covers the following Edge Books: Imagine It, Build It titles: Amazing Recycled Projects You Can Create and Incredible Duct Tape Projects You Can Create.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Edge Books: Imagine It, Build It series. Inexpensive supplies and quirky ideas for projects should attract the attention of middle-grade crafters. Some require skills with a utility knife and hot glue, but they're outlined clearly in stepped directions and adult help is recommended. Attention to detail will result in some awesome items: tin can lanterns and soda tab bracelets, a duct tape wallet and bongo drums, and more. Reading list. Review covers the following Edge Books: Imagine It, Build It titles: Amazing Recycled Projects You Can Create and Incredible Duct Tape Projects You Can Create.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. These volumes give brief, superficial overviews of the lives and accomplishments of "trailblazers" in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (From McGonigal: "Just before they left for college, they finally beat the game! They treated themselves to frozen yogurt to celebrate.") "Tech Talk" sidebars provide more information. Photos of the subjects (and some awkward stock images) break up the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Alternate Reality Game Designer Jane McGonigal, iPod and Electronics Visionary Tony Fadell, Astrophysicist and Space Advocate Neil Degrasse Tyson, Google Glass and Robotics Innovator Sebastian Thrun, Flickr Cofounder and Web Community Creator Caterina Fake, and YouTube Founders Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz