(3) K-3 This concise chronological account covers the pre-Baroque period all the way to contemporary jazz and computer-controlled synthesized orchestras. For each historical period, a standard-bearer composer is discussed, while detailed illustrations of musicians playing period instruments are employed to introduce all the instrument families in the modern orchestra.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(4) 4-6 The well-researched text provides a balanced mix of facts on important astronomers and entertaining Hollywood fiction about Martians. Unfortunately, the book starts to lean more toward science fiction, with much speculation on (and artistic renderings of) future conflicts among colonists on Mars. Those looking for Viking lander images and the recent Pathfinder-Sojourner photo mosaics will be disappointed. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 This clearly written text recounts how the scientific community galvanized to alert environmental policymakers about the precipitous decline of frogs, toads, and salamanders, and describes how scientists searched for the causes. Fridell successfully employs the detective analogy to describe the process of scientific inquiry. Black-and-white photos are supplemented by sets of color plates. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Helen K. Davie. Large watercolor, pencil, and pastel illustrations show several duck species preening, swimming, and searching for food, while the text seamlessly supports the illustrations and provides additional information. The book's focus on preening is extended by two simple activities that demonstrate why ducks don't get wet. Bib.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(4) 4-6 Photographs by Michael J. Doolittle. Goodman relates the experiences of a group of middle-school students from Boston who travel to the Bay of Fundy in Maine to study tidal zone ecology and physiology. The material is presented in an inquiry-based, question-centered style and is paired with effective, scrapbook-like color photos. The kids' dialogue becomes somewhat tiresome but adds appeal and accessibility for young readers. Glos.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Energy Forever? series. Case studies, historical retrospectives, current status reports, and speculative near-future developments are used to explore both traditional energy sources and alternative renewable sources. While the environmental impacts of power generation are a theme throughout, the texts are balanced and never sermonic. Illustrations and full-page photos aid in presenting concepts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Energy Forever? series. Case studies, historical retrospectives, current status reports, and speculative near-future developments are used to explore both traditional energy sources and alternative renewable sources. While the environmental impacts of power generation are a theme throughout, the texts are balanced and never sermonic. Illustrations and full-page photos aid in presenting concepts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Energy Forever? series. Case studies, historical retrospectives, current status reports, and speculative near-future developments are used to explore both traditional energy sources and alternative renewable sources. While the environmental impacts of power generation are a theme throughout, the texts are balanced and never sermonic. Illustrations and full-page photos aid in presenting concepts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Energy Forever? series. Case studies, historical retrospectives, current status reports, and speculative near-future developments are used to explore both traditional energy sources and alternative renewable sources. While the environmental impacts of power generation are a theme throughout, the texts are balanced and never sermonic. Illustrations and full-page photos aid in presenting concepts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Energy Forever? series. Case studies, historical retrospectives, current status reports, and speculative near-future developments are used to explore both traditional energy sources and alternative renewable sources. While the environmental impacts of power generation are a theme throughout, the texts are balanced and never sermonic. Illustrations and full-page photos aid in presenting concepts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Energy Forever? series. Case studies, historical retrospectives, current status reports, and speculative near-future developments are used to explore both traditional energy sources and alternative renewable sources. While the environmental impacts of power generation are a theme throughout, the texts are balanced and never sermonic. Illustrations and full-page photos aid in presenting concepts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(4) K-3 Geography Starts Here series. This very simple introduction to navigating around maps covers topics such as compass directions and the use of scales and contour lines. Double-page spreads include a brief text accompanied by captioned color photos and diagrams. In an unfortunate error, a figure of the globe incorrectly labels the Greenwich Meridian as a line of latitude and the equator as the central line of longitude. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Hays. This intriguing, concise history of the development of counting ranges from early examples of counting schemes without numbers through the use of Greek and Roman numeral systems to our present Arabic system that invented the all-important zero. Clear illustrations accompany each historical example in this book that isn't just for math fans. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Carolrhoda Earth Watch series. This systematic survey of the various forest ecosystems in North America ranges from the boreal forests of Canada to the subtropical forests of Florida. The descriptive text is augmented with a balanced look at the natural and artificial processes that induce change in these fragile ecosystems. The well-matched photographs play an integral role in documenting each forest system. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Through biographical sketches of four very different pioneers--John Muir, Rachel Carson, David McTaggart (of Greenpeace), and Dave Foreman (co-founder of Earth First!)--Archer conveys both the astonishing accomplishments of these environmentalists and the historical framework necessary to evaluate the often controversial actions taken by these individuals. Interviews with McTaggart and Foreman and a list of environmental groups are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) 4-6 Viewpoints series. Published spring 1998. This book takes a hard look at many environmental issues, introducing each topic with numerous quotes from activist groups such as Greenpeace, scientific and economic specialists, and big business groups such as oil companies. The text, which offers many alarming statistics and photographs but does not take sides, could be useful for starting classroom discussions. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander

(3) YA Sparks of Life series. In an in-depth look at a suite of elements essential for life, each element is introduced through a discussion of the historical circumstances surrounding its discovery, followed by a detailed explanation of the key role the element plays in life-sustaining processes. Well-captioned color photos illustrate the books, which also explore a variety of pharmaceutical and common industrial uses of each element. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Daniel Brabander