(4) YA Daily Life in America in the 1800s series. Everyday life for nineteenth-century Americans was fraught with great change and shifting influences. For the report-driven reader, these titles provide straightforward, chronological discussions highlighting the significant people and events that affected family life, work, political ideology, and spirituality. Primary sources, archival photographs and drawings, and maps offer further detail but do little to alter the textbooklike impression. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Daily Life in America in the 1800s titles: Scandals and Glory, The Sweat of Their Brow, Buggies, Bicycles, and Iron Horses, Outlaws and Lawmen, and Reviving the Spirit, Reforming Society.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Daily Life in America in the 1800s series. Everyday life for nineteenth-century Americans was fraught with great change and shifting influences. For the report-driven reader, these titles provide straightforward, chronological discussions highlighting the significant people and events that affected family life, work, political ideology, and spirituality. Primary sources, archival photographs and drawings, and maps offer further detail but do little to alter the textbooklike impression. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Daily Life in America in the 1800s titles: Scandals and Glory, The Sweat of Their Brow, Buggies, Bicycles, and Iron Horses, Outlaws and Lawmen, and Reviving the Spirit, Reforming Society.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 100 Things You Should Know About series. Each of these books presents one hundred facts about the title subject. Though most of the information appears to have been randomly selected and displayed, the volumes' snippets just may entice readers to seek further knowledge. The busy pages are tightly packed with photos, cartoonlike drawings, and more realistic illustrations in addition to "I Don't Believe It!" sidebars. Ind. Review covers these 100 Things You Should Know About titles: Archeology and Gladiators.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Junior Library of Money series. Offering a clear, accurate introduction to the basics of finance, these books cover topics from check-writing to bull and bear markets. The texts are conversational without being condescending. Practical examples, such as hidden costs of renting an apartment, enhance accessibility. Numerous illustrations and diagrams enliven the text but contribute to cluttered pages, and there are occasional typos. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Junior Library of Money titles: Banking Basics, All About Money, Cost of Living, Investing Money, and Understanding the Stock Market.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA New Careers for the 21st Century: Finding Your Role in the Global Renewal series. These vocational-guidance books focus on careers expected to grow in the twenty-first century. The information contained in each volume is reasonably solid if dryly presented, and frequent sidebars and captioned photos expand the text. Middle and high school libraries may find the series' concentration on "green" jobs useful. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these New Careers for the 21st Century titles: Careers in Green Energy, Freelance & Technical Writers, Media in the 21st Century, Green Construction, Green Mechanics, Tomorrow's Transportation, and Environmental Science & Protection.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) YA New Careers for the 21st Century: Finding Your Role in the Global Renewal series. These vocational-guidance books focus on careers expected to grow in the twenty-first century. The information contained in each volume is reasonably solid if dryly presented, and frequent sidebars and captioned photos expand the text. Middle and high school libraries may find the series' concentration on "green" jobs useful. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these New Careers for the 21st Century titles: Careers in Green Energy, Freelance & Technical Writers, Media in the 21st Century, Green Construction, Green Mechanics, Tomorrow's Transportation, and Environmental Science & Protection.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) YA New Careers for the 21st Century: Finding Your Role in the Global Renewal series. These vocational-guidance books focus on careers expected to grow in the twenty-first century. The information contained in each volume is reasonably solid if dryly presented, and frequent sidebars and captioned photos expand the text. Middle and high school libraries may find the series' concentration on "green" jobs useful. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these New Careers for the 21st Century titles: Careers in Green Energy, Freelance & Technical Writers, Media in the 21st Century, Green Construction, Green Mechanics, Tomorrow's Transportation, and Environmental Science & Protection.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) YA This revised and updated volume provides adequate general background on the volatile country. Report writers looking for up-to-date information on this constantly changing area will need to supplement their research. Many photographs of the people and places, in addition to maps, illustrate the text, which tends to generalize. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Major Competitive Reality Shows series. Fans will find some behind-the-scenes tidbits from their favorite shows (e.g, America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel shaves his head because of germs), but they're somewhat difficult to locate among the dry descriptions of each show's history and format and short biographies of judges and notable contestants. Stock photos, sidebars, and "Fast Facts" liven up the layout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Major Competitive Reality Shows titles: The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and America's Got Talent.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Major Competitive Reality Shows series. Fans will find some behind-the-scenes tidbits from their favorite shows (e.g, America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel shaves his head because of germs), but they're somewhat difficult to locate among the dry descriptions of each show's history and format and short biographies of judges and notable contestants. Stock photos, sidebars, and "Fast Facts" liven up the layout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Major Competitive Reality Shows titles: The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and America's Got Talent.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Superstars of Pro Football series. Each volume covers the career of a current professional football player. This series reveals more personal details than most, including a photograph of Roethlisberger's damaged motorcycle and Ware's neck injury (but no mention of Favre's "sexting"). The cramped pages are packed with action photos, highlighted pull-quotes, and "Cross-Currents" sidebars that direct readers to more detailed information on related football facts, coaches, and players. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Superstars of Pro Football titles: Ben Roethlisberger, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten, Brett Favre, DeSean Jackson, and Drew Brees.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) YA Superstars of Pro Football series. Each volume covers the career of a current professional football player. This series reveals more personal details than most, including a photograph of Roethlisberger's damaged motorcycle and Ware's neck injury (but no mention of Favre's "sexting"). The cramped pages are packed with action photos, highlighted pull-quotes, and "Cross-Currents" sidebars that direct readers to more detailed information on related football facts, coaches, and players. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Superstars of Pro Football titles: Ben Roethlisberger, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten, Brett Favre, DeSean Jackson, and Drew Brees.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) YA Superstars of Pro Football series. Each volume covers the career of a current professional football player. This series reveals more personal details than most, including a photograph of Roethlisberger's damaged motorcycle and Ware's neck injury (but no mention of Favre's "sexting"). The cramped pages are packed with action photos, highlighted pull-quotes, and "Cross-Currents" sidebars that direct readers to more detailed information on related football facts, coaches, and players. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Superstars of Pro Football titles: Ben Roethlisberger, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten, Brett Favre, DeSean Jackson, and Drew Brees.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 Kids & Obesity series. This series presents information about obesity and its dangers. Two icons--a hamburger and a heart--provide statistics about nutrition and medical terms. The pages are cramped with generic photos, graphs, charts, and the occasional personal narrative. Although data is repeated throughout the series, the underlying position that "good health never goes out of style" and the advice about self-confidence are constructive. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Kids & Obesity titles: Getting Stronger, Getting Fit, The Truth About Diets, At Home in Your Body, and I Eat When I'm Sad.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) 4-6 Kids & Obesity series. This series presents information about obesity and its dangers. Two icons--a hamburger and a heart--provide statistics about nutrition and medical terms. The pages are cramped with generic photos, graphs, charts, and the occasional personal narrative. Although data is repeated throughout the series, the underlying position that "good health never goes out of style" and the advice about self-confidence are constructive. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Kids & Obesity titles: Getting Stronger, Getting Fit, The Truth About Diets, At Home in Your Body, and I Eat When I'm Sad.

Reviewer: Sophie Williamson

(4) YA Major Competitive Reality Shows series. Fans will find some behind-the-scenes tidbits from their favorite shows (e.g, America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel shaves his head because of germs), but they're somewhat difficult to locate among the dry descriptions of each show's history and format and short biographies of judges and notable contestants. Stock photos, sidebars, and "Fast Facts" liven up the layout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Major Competitive Reality Shows titles: The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and America's Got Talent.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Major Competitive Reality Shows series. Fans will find some behind-the-scenes tidbits from their favorite shows (e.g, America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel shaves his head because of germs), but they're somewhat difficult to locate among the dry descriptions of each show's history and format and short biographies of judges and notable contestants. Stock photos, sidebars, and "Fast Facts" liven up the layout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Major Competitive Reality Shows titles: The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, and America's Got Talent.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Getting the Edge: Conditioning, Injuries, and Legal & Illicit Drugs series. From historical overviews to mental preparation, this series provides details about the title sports for young athletes. Chapters address the treatment of common injuries; nutrition; and the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs. The crowded pages include lots of photographs (some instructive, some decorative) and occasional sidebars. There's good information here, but the volumes try to cram in a little too much. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Getting the Edge: : Conditioning, Injuries, and Legal & Illicit Drugs titles: Extreme Sports, Football, Gymnastics, Baseball and Softball, and Hockey.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) YA Superstars of Pro Football series. Each volume covers the career of a current professional football player. This series reveals more personal details than most, including a photograph of Roethlisberger's damaged motorcycle and Ware's neck injury (but no mention of Favre's "sexting"). The cramped pages are packed with action photos, highlighted pull-quotes, and "Cross-Currents" sidebars that direct readers to more detailed information on related football facts, coaches, and players. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Superstars of Pro Football titles: Ben Roethlisberger, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten, Brett Favre, DeSean Jackson, and Drew Brees.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) YA Major Muslim Nations series. These revised and updated series entries provide adequate general background on the volatile Middle East. Report writers looking for up-to-date information on this constantly changing area will need to supplement their research. Many photographs of the people and places, in addition to maps, illustrate the texts, which tend to generalize. There are twenty-three other spring 2010 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Major Muslim Nations titles: Yemen, Bahrain, Facts & Figures About the Middle East,Qatar, and Syria.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz