(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. This book presents descriptions, histories, and personal anecdotes of seemingly miraculous occurrences. Alternative explanations are addressed in the sidebars as well as the text. Most miracles described have the expected Christian references, though an attempt is made to include anecdotes from several religions. Cheesy stock photos and illustrations break up the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. These books present descriptions, histories, and anecdotes of eerie occurrences. Alternative explanations addressed in the text and sidebars will satisfy skeptics and scientists alike. Though the stock photos and illustrations can be awkward, they break up the texts nicely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Crop Circles, UFOs, and The Bermuda Triangle.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. These books present descriptions, histories, and anecdotes of eerie occurrences. Alternative explanations addressed in the text and sidebars will satisfy skeptics and scientists alike. Though the stock photos and illustrations can be awkward, they break up the texts nicely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Crop Circles, UFOs, and The Bermuda Triangle.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. These books present descriptions, histories, and anecdotes of eerie occurrences. Alternative explanations addressed in the text and sidebars will satisfy skeptics and scientists alike. Though the stock photos and illustrations can be awkward, they break up the texts nicely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Crop Circles, UFOs, and The Bermuda Triangle.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. These brief volumes will be appreciated by mythology fans. The texts describe the creatures' origins as well as giving examples from contemporary popular culture (e.g., J. K. Rowling's hippogriff). Illustrations ranging from historical artifacts to movie stills and book covers add interest to the somewhat dry writing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monsters titles: Centaurs, Griffins, and The Minotaur.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. These brief volumes will be appreciated by mythology fans. The texts describe the creatures' origins as well as giving examples from contemporary popular culture (e.g., J. K. Rowling's hippogriff). Illustrations ranging from historical artifacts to movie stills and book covers add interest to the somewhat dry writing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monsters titles: Centaurs, Griffins, and The Minotaur.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. This clearly written book presents descriptions and anecdotes of bizarre tales, and readers will enjoy pondering some of the gross "it could happen to you" accounts. Sidebars provide additional explanations and information. Cheesy stock photos and illustrations break up the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. Profiling two young Canadians, these inspiring if preachy biographies present challenging social issues (child labor and homelessness) through real-life tales of childhood activism. Both Kielburger and Taylor were spurred by personal experiences, and these books emphasize how individual action can lead to worldwide change. Suggestions are included for how readers can get involved with these causes in their own communities. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Heroes titles: Craig Kielburger and Hannah Taylor.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. This book presents information about sharks in a clear, concise (if somewhat dry) manner. Readers may enjoy learning about different types of sharks and exploring the truth about when and why sharks might attack. Sharks in popular culture (Jaws, Finding Nemo) are also presented; photographs (most aren't gory) support and expand the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. Profiling two young Canadians, these inspiring if preachy biographies present challenging social issues (child labor and homelessness) through real-life tales of childhood activism. Both Kielburger and Taylor were spurred by personal experiences, and these books emphasize how individual action can lead to worldwide change. Suggestions are included for how readers can get involved with these causes in their own communities. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Heroes titles: Craig Kielburger and Hannah Taylor.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. These brief volumes will be appreciated by mythology fans. The texts describe the creatures' origins as well as giving examples from contemporary popular culture (e.g., J. K. Rowling's hippogriff). Illustrations ranging from historical artifacts to movie stills and book covers add interest to the somewhat dry writing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monsters titles: Centaurs, Griffins, and The Minotaur.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. Not for the easily spooked, these clearly written books present descriptions, histories, and captivating personal anecdotes of peculiar creatures and eerie occurrences. Sidebars addressing alternative explanations may satisfy skeptics, though the text does tend to present the supernatural as fact. The stock photos and illustrations can be cheesy, but they break up the text nicely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Fairies, Poltergeists, The Afterlife, Witches, and Leprechauns.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. These biographies profile young adults who embody the spirit of community service, charity, and overcoming adversity. Most have founded their own charitable organizations, and all have won awards and recognition for their efforts. The writing is accessible, though it can be choppy. Photographs of the subjects at work clearly illustrate how kids can make a difference. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Heroes titles: Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, Mattie Stepanek, Lindsey Williams, and Ana Dodson.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. These biographies profile young adults who embody the spirit of community service, charity, and overcoming adversity. Most have founded their own charitable organizations, and all have won awards and recognition for their efforts. The writing is accessible, though it can be choppy. Photographs of the subjects at work clearly illustrate how kids can make a difference. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Heroes titles: Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, Mattie Stepanek, Lindsey Williams, and Ana Dodson.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Innovators series. This biography of the "father of PlayStation," from his childhood in Tokyo to his current success in gaming, may appeal to kids who love video games. Although the text itself is fairly uninspiring (as are the photographs--mostly computer stock footage and men in business suits), the topic may inspire kids who dream of creating the next great game innovation. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. Not for the easily spooked, these clearly written books present descriptions, histories, and captivating personal anecdotes of peculiar creatures and eerie occurrences. Sidebars addressing alternative explanations may satisfy skeptics, though the text does tend to present the supernatural as fact. The stock photos and illustrations can be cheesy, but they break up the text nicely. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Fairies, Poltergeists, The Afterlife, Witches, and Leprechauns.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Our Environment series. These four titles discuss human interference with the ecosystem due to dam building, slash-and-burn farming, pesticide and herbicide use, and pollution of the waterways. Helpful background and history of the issues is included. The photos are useful, but their captions do not always extend the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our Environment titles: Dams and Levees, Rain Forests, Pesticides, and Water Pollution.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Innovators series. This unremittingly positive biography offers readers a chance to learn more about the artistic as well as technological considerations of computer and gadget design. Stock photos and sidebars of related information help break up the overly adulatory text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. These biographies profile young adults who embody the spirit of community service, charity, and overcoming adversity. Most have founded their own charitable organizations, and all have won awards and recognition for their efforts. The writing is accessible, though it can be choppy. Photographs of the subjects at work clearly illustrate how kids can make a difference. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Heroes titles: Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, Mattie Stepanek, Lindsey Williams, and Ana Dodson.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Our Environment series. These four titles discuss human interference with the ecosystem due to dam building, slash-and-burn farming, pesticide and herbicide use, and pollution of the waterways. Helpful background and history of the issues is included. The photos are useful, but their captions do not always extend the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our Environment titles: Dams and Levees, Rain Forests, Pesticides, and Water Pollution.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey