(3) 4-6 Web of Life series. These leveled-text editions for reluctant upper-elementary-age readers survey crucial biological concepts. Seven processes (movement, respiration, sensitivity, nutrition, excretion, reproduction, and growth), food chains/webs, biodiversity, conservation, and animal case studies provide a detailed picture of the connectedness of earth's creatures. The spacious design includes captioned photos, sidebars, and helpful charts and diagrams. Essential vocabulary is defined throughout. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Web of Life titles: The Future of Life on Earth: Express Edition, Life Processes: Express Edition, and Food Chains and Webs: Express Edition.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Web of Life series. These leveled-text editions for reluctant upper-elementary-age readers survey crucial biological concepts. Seven processes (movement, respiration, sensitivity, nutrition, excretion, reproduction, and growth), food chains/webs, biodiversity, conservation, and animal case studies provide a detailed picture of the connectedness of earth's creatures. The spacious design includes captioned photos, sidebars, and helpful charts and diagrams. Essential vocabulary is defined throughout. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Web of Life titles: The Future of Life on Earth: Express Edition, Life Processes: Express Edition, and Food Chains and Webs: Express Edition.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Web of Life series. These leveled-text editions for reluctant upper-elementary-age readers survey crucial biological concepts. Seven processes (movement, respiration, sensitivity, nutrition, excretion, reproduction, and growth), food chains/webs, biodiversity, conservation, and animal case studies provide a detailed picture of the connectedness of earth's creatures. The spacious design includes captioned photos, sidebars, and helpful charts and diagrams. Essential vocabulary is defined throughout. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Web of Life titles: The Future of Life on Earth: Express Edition, Life Processes: Express Edition, and Food Chains and Webs: Express Edition.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Medicine Through the Ages series. From the mid-eighteenth century to the end of the nineteenth century, rapid changes in living conditions, technology, and science led to advances in Western medical knowledge and treatment. In this leveled-text edition for reluctant upper-elementary-age readers, the choppy text provides an overview; frequent sidebars add details about individuals and issues. Archival illustrations and photos provide a sense of the era. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Environment Challenge series. In this leveled-text edition for reluctant upper-elementary-age readers, Barber examines the pressures exerted on the environment and global resources due to population growth. The discussion considers the increase in longevity with better heath, water, and sanitation, as well as uneven growth and control across developed and developing nations. Color photographs add interest, and helpful diagrams effectively convey statistical concepts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Missions series. In this book aimed at reluctant readers, short sections describe viruses and vaccines in general before looking at the unique challenges of developing a flu vaccine. While the language is accessible, the technical and scientific details are rather vague. Plentiful pictures, diagrams, and personal stories add some interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Environment Challenge series. This leveled-text edition examines the sources and uses of energy from a global perspective to underscore the differences in energy consumption and conservation across various regions. Langley emphasizes sustainability, including case studies of energy disasters (mine collapses, oil spills) as well as alternative energy and sustainability successes. Color photographs, diagrams, and text asides further encourage readers to examine the issues. Reading/movie list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Missions series. Aimed at reluctant readers, this book explains a high-interest subject in straightforward language. Short sections contain a few paragraphs and numbered and bulleted lists. Plentiful pictures, diagrams, and stories of actual cloned domestic and farm animals add interest. Chapters address myths and cloning portrayals in movies and literature. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) 4-6 Environment Challenge series. In this leveled-text edition, Vickers provides a global perspective on public health, first discussing important habits readers should have (exercise, good eating, and not smoking), then moving to discussions of the transmission and prevention of disease, as well as the effects of war, poverty, and women's education on health in developing nations. Color photographs and diagrams are included. Reading/movie list, websites.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Geology Rocks! series. These leveled-text editions provide basic introductions to different rock forms and other geology concepts. Though informative, the writing is textbooklike except for some unusual sidebar tidbits; a "Find out later..." feature gives readers questions to think about as they read. The science is enhanced by large, colorful, well-captioned photographs and some charts and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Geology Rocks! titles: Crystals, Igneous Rock, Metamorphic Rock, Minerals, Sedimentary Rock, and Soil.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Geology Rocks! series. These leveled-text editions provide basic introductions to different rock forms and other geology concepts. Though informative, the writing is textbooklike except for some unusual sidebar tidbits; a "Find out later..." feature gives readers questions to think about as they read. The science is enhanced by large, colorful, well-captioned photographs and some charts and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Geology Rocks! titles: Crystals, Igneous Rock, Metamorphic Rock, Minerals, Sedimentary Rock, and Soil.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Geology Rocks! series. These leveled-text editions provide basic introductions to different rock forms and other geology concepts. Though informative, the writing is textbooklike except for some unusual sidebar tidbits; a "Find out later..." feature gives readers questions to think about as they read. The science is enhanced by large, colorful, well-captioned photographs and some charts and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Geology Rocks! titles: Crystals, Igneous Rock, Metamorphic Rock, Minerals, Sedimentary Rock, and Soil.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Geology Rocks! series. This leveled-text edition provides a basic introduction to the subject. Though informative, the writing is textbooklike; a "Find out later..." feature gives readers questions to think about. The science is enhanced by large, colorful, well-captioned photos and some charts and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Geology Rocks! series. These leveled-text editions provide basic introductions to different rock forms and other geology concepts. Though informative, the writing is textbooklike except for some unusual sidebar tidbits; a "Find out later..." feature gives readers questions to think about as they read. The science is enhanced by large, colorful, well-captioned photographs and some charts and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Geology Rocks! titles: Crystals, Igneous Rock, Metamorphic Rock, Minerals, Sedimentary Rock, and Soil.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Geology Rocks! series. These leveled-text editions provide basic introductions to different rock forms and other geology concepts. Though informative, the writing is textbooklike except for some unusual sidebar tidbits; a "Find out later..." feature gives readers questions to think about as they read. The science is enhanced by large, colorful, well-captioned photographs and some charts and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Geology Rocks! titles: Crystals, Igneous Rock, Metamorphic Rock, Minerals, Sedimentary Rock, and Soil.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Geology Rocks! series. These leveled-text editions provide basic introductions to different rock forms and other geology concepts. Though informative, the writing is textbooklike except for some unusual sidebar tidbits; a "Find out later..." feature gives readers questions to think about as they read. The science is enhanced by large, colorful, well-captioned photographs and some charts and diagrams. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Geology Rocks! titles: Crystals, Igneous Rock, Metamorphic Rock, Minerals, Sedimentary Rock, and Soil.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. These leveled-text editions are written as travel guides to ancient civilizations. This approach makes accessible the cultural and historical details. Occasional inaccuracies are the result of long spans of history condensed for the target audience. While the books do tend to oversimplify, they're a good way to encourage interest. There are four other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Time Travel Guides titles: The Aztec Empire, The Inca Empire, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, and Ancient China.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. These leveled-text editions are written as travel guides to ancient civilizations. This approach makes accessible the cultural and historical details. Occasional inaccuracies are the result of long spans of history condensed for the target audience. While the books do tend to oversimplify, they're a good way to encourage interest. There are four other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Time Travel Guides titles: The Aztec Empire, The Inca Empire, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, and Ancient China.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. These leveled-text editions are written as travel guides to ancient civilizations. This approach makes accessible the cultural and historical details. Occasional inaccuracies are the result of long spans of history condensed for the target audience. While the books do tend to oversimplify, they're a good way to encourage interest. There are four other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Time Travel Guides titles: The Aztec Empire, The Inca Empire, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, and Ancient China.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. These leveled-text editions are written as travel guides to ancient civilizations. This approach makes accessible the cultural and historical details. Occasional inaccuracies are the result of long spans of history condensed for the target audience. While the books do tend to oversimplify, they're a good way to encourage interest. There are four other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Time Travel Guides titles: The Aztec Empire, The Inca Empire, Ancient Greece, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, and Ancient China.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess