(2) K-3 Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Using crayons and markers, friends Hector and Louie create their own hand-drawn book enthusiastically laying out the "five million reasons" they're besties. In this hyper-meta tribute to both friendship and the artistic imagination, Watson captures the intensity and vulnerability of childhood friendships (the boys' suffers a temporary rift) with lively, free-flowing dialogue. Pham fills her bustling composition-book-page backgrounds with saturated colors, dynamic lines, plenty of speech balloons, and authentic childlike energy.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: The Science of the Summer Olympics series. Including physics, nutrition, and psychology, the science behind Olympic events is examined. The series organization feels unfocused: Popular skims through dissimilar sports (basketball to badminton to cycling), while gymnastics gets its own volume. Still, the sound science will intrigue kids who enjoyed the recent Games. Color photos (some oddly cropped) and diagrams aid in instruction. Reading list. Glos, ind. Review covers these Edge Books: Science of the Summer Olympics titles: The Science Behind Gymnastics and The Science Behind Soccer, Volleyball, Cycling, and Other Popular Sports.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) YA Future of Technology series. With the directness of textbooks, the books in this series explore exciting, interrelated areas of technological innovation with in-depth, straightforward text; clear organization; and well-documented sources. Sidebars contain supplementary information and "Words in Context," a user-friendly alternative to a glossary. Introductory timelines are difficult to navigate, and minimal visual elements and unremarkable covers do little to draw in readers. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Future of Technology titles: What Is the Future of Artificial Intelligence?, What Is the Future of Nanotechnology?, What Is the Future of Drones?, What Is the Future of 3D Printing?, What Is the Future of Virtual Reality?, and What Is the Future of Self-Driving Cars?

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) YA Forgotten Youth series. These volumes chronicle the unfortunate plight of many of today's children. Soldiers focuses on the atrocities occurring in countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where children are forced into military service. Homeless presents statistics and first-person accounts of the struggles of abandoned kids and teens. Incarcerated highlights how prison affects many youths. Photographs, sidebars, and helpful organizations' contact information enhance the dense, serviceable texts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Forgotten Youth titles: Child Soldiers, Homeless Youth, and Incarcerated Youth.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joy Ang. Acting as a hyperbolic emcee, a father introduces an adoring audience to the amazing feats of his infant son: smiling, babbling, banana-eating. Baby's older brother is unimpressed: "Smiling? So what. I do that all the time." When big brother is able to comfort baby, however, he finally gets the spotlight. Ang's energetic digital art highlights the playfulness of the premise.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 Stories of the Civil Rights Movement series. This series provides upper-elementary students with in-depth coverage of phases and events of the U.S. civil rights movement. The narratives are supplemented effectively with archival photographs and primary source quotes. With overt Common Core–related intention, readers are challenged with overabundant sidebars and inserts containing critical-thinking questions, writing prompts, and suggested research topics and readings. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Stories of the Civil Rights Movement titles: James Meredith and the University of Mississippi, Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Freedom Summer, 1964, The Little Rock Nine, Nonviolent Resistance in the Civil Rights Movement, The Passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington, and Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) 4-6 Timeline Trackers: Westward Expansion series. The volumes in this series examine the cause and effect surrounding particular aspects of America's westward expansion. Each well-organized chapter begins with a timeline plotting out the events described within, skillfully zooming in and out on relevant years. An inviting approach, accessible prose, and carefully curated photographs and art enhance the presentations. Writing activities are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Timeline Trackers: Westward Expansion titles: Mexican-American War, Transcontinental Railroad, and California Gold Rush.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(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

(3) 4-6 Party Time! series. A short introduction followed by three chapters give clever party-planning tips and also consider issues of safety, etiquette, and guests' needs. This attractive series features color photos of tweens and teens (mostly girls); slangy text; and eye-catching layouts that use headings, bullet points, and callouts wisely. A planning checklist, theme ideas, and a suggested music playlist are included in each volume. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these titles: Plan a Holiday Party, Plan an Outdoor Party, Plan a Birthday Party, and Plan a sleepover Party,

Reviewer:

(3) 4-6 Party Time! series. A short introduction followed by three chapters give clever party-planning tips and also consider issues of safety, etiquette, and guests' needs. This attractive series features color photos of tweens and teens (mostly girls); slangy text; and eye-catching layouts that use headings, bullet points, and callouts wisely. A planning checklist, theme ideas, and a suggested music playlist are included in each volume. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these titles: Plan a Holiday Party, Plan an Outdoor Party, Plan a Birthday Party, and Plan a sleepover Party,

Reviewer:

(4) 4-6 What's Your Style? series. Each book offers tween fashionistas profiles of celebrity style icons and the basics of each titular style (cuts, fabrics, shoes, etc.), with "Styling DIY" inserts along the way. The attractive fashion-magazine design is appealing, and helpful, timely tips abound, but there's limiting over-strictness in the narrative's guiding hand: e.g., "No spikes or messy braids are allowed!" (Preppy). Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What's Your Style? titles: Boho Fashion, Hipster Fashion, Preppy Fashion, Edgy Fashion, and Streetwear Fashion.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA Contemporary Lives series. Each of these shallow volumes traces its subject from childhood along his or her path to music stardom. The tone is mostly adulatory, with a few references to the subjects' missteps, such as Beyoncé's public falling-out with Destiny's Child. Heavily illustrated with stock photographs, each book also includes numerous sidebars about its subject's personal life, fashion choices, collaborations, and more. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Contemporary Lives titles: Beyoncé, Drake, Adele, and Cee Lo Green.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) YA Essential Library of Social Change series. Beginning with a landmark event, these well-organized, thorough social histories explore key figures and incidents that helped to change laws and attitudes about race, disabilities, and homosexuality. Stock photographs combine with dry texts to present the challenges, successes, and future of each movement, while sidebars and a "Voices of the Movement" feature add context. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Library of Social Change titles: Civil Rights Movement, Disability Rights Movement, and Gay Rights Movement.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Gateway Biographies series. This unremarkable biography covers the life of Jorge Bergoglio from his childhood growing up in Buenos Aires to his rise as a Jesuit leader to his election as Pope in 2013; the narrative also touches on controversial issues such as Bergoglio's actions during Argentina's "dirty war." The photographs, sidebars, and historical context serve as useful supportive material. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) PS Illustrated by Mary GrandPré. Late at night, impish creatures called the Wee Hours arrive, hour by hour, laughing, skipping, and wreaking playful havoc in a sleeping child's bedroom. Luckily, the older Hours--Five, Six, and Seven--arrive to clean up and put their littler counterparts to bed. The warmhearted, dreamy story is carried by richly colored pastel illustrations showing the sprites jaunting through the quiet nighttime setting.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) YA Contemporary Lives series. These standard-issue, easy-to-read pop biographies offer details about each star's life and career. Controversial behaviors and incidents, including early failures or bad reviews; drug use by Downey and Eminem; protests against Eminem's perceived homophobia, misogyny, and gun use; Lady Gaga's bisexuality; and Bieber's jealous fans' behavior are covered. Sidebars offer additional context to the unremarkable text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Contemporary Lives titles: Eminem, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Robert Downey, Jr.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Essential Issues series. This book provides basic information about alcohol use and abuse with emphasis on the dangers of overindulgence by teens and young adults. A brief history of alcohol is presented, as well as laws and statistics related to its consumption; programs designed to help young people make wise decisions are also identified. Photographs and sidebars extend the text but crowd the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Incredibly Disgusting Food series. The authors straightforwardly examine junk food ingredients and discuss their negative health effects on both children and adults. The volumes are useful without being too preachy; there's definitely an agenda here, but there's no arguing with the solid, convincing facts (sensationalized titles and gross photos of rotting teeth--Carbonated--and toes--Salty--aside). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Incredibly Disgusting Food titles: Carbonated Beverages, Salty and Sugary Snacks, Fake Foods, and Mystery Meat.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 In their second book, Natalie and Annie are drawn into a challenging mystery surrounding an elderly neighbor. Meanwhile, Annie steps up the search for her long-lost mother and Natalie's student council election day looms. Like in Elvis & Olive, the story strikes a good balance between frothy exploits and serious issues faced by the friends.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) YA Lives Cut Short series. Each biography opens with a pivotal moment in the performer's career. The texts then move chronologically from the person's childhood to his untimely death, touching on upbringing, setbacks, and accomplishments along the way. The writing occasionally veers into melodrama. The volumes are enhanced by their many photos and clean design. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Lives Cut Short titles: John Lennon, Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, and Heath Ledger.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey