(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. The lively easy-reader series about American history continues to offer beginning readers entertaining and lesser-known facts surrounding popular topics. This edition covers monuments and landmarks, in particular the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, FDR's secret train station under the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and Mount Rushmore. Fabbretti's amusing illustrations add an extra level of kid-friendly interest. Facts and a quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. The lively easy-reader series about American history continues to offer beginning readers entertaining and lesser-known facts surrounding popular topics. This edition features stories about the Space Race; secret satellites; and early research about living in space and the effect of gravity on human bodies. Fabbretti's amusing cartoonlike illustrations add an extra level of kid-friendly interest. Facts and a quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 American Museum of Natural History series. These volumes highlight the science and technology of the International Space Station (Life in Space) and rover explorations of Mars (Mission to Mars). Clear texts explain why these missions have been undertaken and how findings contribute to our knowledge of planets and human endurance in space. Striking images show the surface of Mars, a variety of spacecraft, and astronauts at work. Ind. Review covers these titles: Mission to Mars and Life in Space.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. This engaging easy reader pairs accessible, level-appropriate prose with full-color kid-friendly illustrations to introduce exciting, lesser-known facts about World War I. Choctaw Indian code talkers, razzle dazzle painting on ships for camouflage, and the story of pilot Eugene Bullard are covered. Back matter includes further explanations, craft ideas, a section on animal heroes, and a quiz.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 American Museum of Natural History series. These volumes highlight the science and technology of the International Space Station (Life in Space) and rover explorations of Mars (Mission to Mars). Clear texts explain why these missions have been undertaken and how findings contribute to our knowledge of planets and human endurance in space. Striking images show the surface of Mars, a variety of spacecraft, and astronauts at work. Ind. Review covers these titles: Mission to Mars and Life in Space.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Native American Oral Histories series. Each book provides information about the Native American tribes of the region, retells several traditional stories, and quotes contemporary Native storytellers discussing the tradition. Color photos and maps break up the accessible texts; researchers may find the writing prompts and links in this Common Core–focused series distracting. There are four other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Native American Oral Histories titles: Traditional Stories of the Southwest Nations, Traditional Stories of the Great Basin and Plateau Nations, Traditional Stories of the Arctic and Subarctic Nations, and Traditional Stories of the Northeast Nations.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. This dip into history, accompanied by full-color cartoonlike illustrations, provides an engaging beginning-reader overview of World War II's lesser-known intrigues. After introducing the war, the focus shifts to the creation of shark repellent, using ghost armies, and a biographical sketch of American spy Virginia Hall. Additional details about sharks, measuring areas, and spies are appended, along with a quiz.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA American Values and Freedoms series. This series (by a lawyer/American studies PhD) discusses fundamental American rights and freedoms established by the Constitution and legislative action, both the history and their evolution through time; the message is that these freedoms are continually debated. Photographs and archival documents, inserts on related topics, and chapter-ending "Discussion Starters" add interest to the informative and thought-provoking texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Values and Freedoms titles; Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Governmental Checks and Balances, The Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Protest, and The Right to Vote.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA American Values and Freedoms series. This series (by a lawyer/American studies PhD) discusses fundamental American rights and freedoms established by the Constitution and legislative action, both the history and their evolution through time; the message is that these freedoms are continually debated. Photographs and archival documents, inserts on related topics, and chapter-ending "Discussion Starters" add interest to the informative and thought-provoking texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Values and Freedoms titles; Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Governmental Checks and Balances, The Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Protest, and The Right to Vote.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA American Values and Freedoms series. This series (by a lawyer/American studies PhD) discusses fundamental American rights and freedoms established by the Constitution and legislative action, both the history and their evolution through time; the message is that these freedoms are continually debated. Photographs and archival documents, inserts on related topics, and chapter-ending "Discussion Starters" add interest to the informative and thought-provoking texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Values and Freedoms titles; Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Governmental Checks and Balances, The Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Protest, and The Right to Vote.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA American Values and Freedoms series. This series (by a lawyer/American studies PhD) discusses fundamental American rights and freedoms established by the Constitution and legislative action, both the history and their evolution through time; the message is that these freedoms are continually debated. Photographs and archival documents, inserts on related topics, and chapter-ending "Discussion Starters" add interest to the informative and thought-provoking texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Values and Freedoms titles; Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Governmental Checks and Balances, The Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Protest, and The Right to Vote.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA American Values and Freedoms series. This series (by a lawyer/American studies PhD) discusses fundamental American rights and freedoms established by the Constitution and legislative action, both the history and their evolution through time; the message is that these freedoms are continually debated. Photographs and archival documents, inserts on related topics, and chapter-ending "Discussion Starters" add interest to the informative and thought-provoking texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Values and Freedoms titles; Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Governmental Checks and Balances, The Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Protest, and The Right to Vote.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA American Values and Freedoms series. This series (by a lawyer/American studies PhD) discusses fundamental American rights and freedoms established by the Constitution and legislative action, both the history and their evolution through time; the message is that these freedoms are continually debated. Photographs and archival documents, inserts on related topics, and chapter-ending "Discussion Starters" add interest to the informative and thought-provoking texts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Values and Freedoms titles; Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Governmental Checks and Balances, The Right to Bear Arms, The Right to Protest, and The Right to Vote.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 American Girl: Tenney Grant series. This journal captures a momentous year in the life of contemporary twelve-year-old singer-songwriter Tenney Grant. The story is slight, and readers unfamiliar with this American Girl might wish for more background information on certain characters; but Tenney's fans will enjoy the closer look into her friendships, artistic dreams, and developing skills. The scrapbook-style layout includes doodles, photographs of Nashville landmarks, recipes, and more.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. Spy tactics and tricks of the founding fathers and their companions are revealed in this entertaining beginning-reader look at Revolutionary War history. Full-color cartoonlike illustrations accompany brief level-appropriate chapters providing a general overview of the war in addition to the more kid-friendly topics of secret messages, invisible ink, and codes. Activities and a quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Secrets of American History series. Illustrated by Valerio Fabbretti. This beginning reader introduces unconventional, heroic spies of the Civil War. Lakin's engaging, accessible prose and Fabbretti's cartoonlike illustrations tell the stories of several African American former slaves who played important roles, including Harriet Tubman, Mary Elizabeth Bowser, and Robert Smalls. Brief biographies of female soldiers, an overview of the American flag, information about ciphers, and a quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA American Royalty series. What if George Washington chose to rule as king instead of president? This alternate-reality series follows his modern-day descendants as they desperately cling to relevancy and try to avoid World War XXX. McGehee uses humor and satire to subtly comment on today's celeb-obsessed society and its social-media addiction. With its entertaining, timely premise and simple prose, this hi-lo series is well suited to reluctant teen readers. Review covers these American Royalty titles: The Royal Birthday, The Royal Dream, The Royal Expectation, The Royal Queen's Reign, The Royal Summit, and The Royal Weddings.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) YA American Royalty series. What if George Washington chose to rule as king instead of president? This alternate-reality series follows his modern-day descendants as they desperately cling to relevancy and try to avoid World War XXX. McGehee uses humor and satire to subtly comment on today's celeb-obsessed society and its social-media addiction. With its entertaining, timely premise and simple prose, this hi-lo series is well suited to reluctant teen readers. Review covers these American Royalty titles: The Royal Birthday, The Royal Dream, The Royal Expectation, The Royal Queen's Reign, The Royal Summit, and The Royal Weddings.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) YA American Royalty series. What if George Washington chose to rule as king instead of president? This alternate-reality series follows his modern-day descendants as they desperately cling to relevancy and try to avoid World War XXX. McGehee uses humor and satire to subtly comment on today's celeb-obsessed society and its social-media addiction. With its entertaining, timely premise and simple prose, this hi-lo series is well suited to reluctant teen readers. Review covers these American Royalty titles: The Royal Birthday, The Royal Dream, The Royal Expectation, The Royal Queen's Reign, The Royal Summit, and The Royal Weddings.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) YA American Royalty series. What if George Washington chose to rule as king instead of president? This alternate-reality series follows his modern-day descendants as they desperately cling to relevancy and try to avoid World War XXX. McGehee uses humor and satire to subtly comment on today's celeb-obsessed society and its social-media addiction. With its entertaining, timely premise and simple prose, this hi-lo series is well suited to reluctant teen readers. Review covers these American Royalty titles: The Royal Birthday, The Royal Dream, The Royal Expectation, The Royal Queen's Reign, The Royal Summit, and The Royal Weddings.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes