(4) 4-6 Be What You Want series. Bedell is realistic about job requirements and helps readers understand pluses and minuses of veterinary animal care as well as many other careers involving domestic and wild animals, including farming, conservation, training, and research. A dynamic narrative is peppered with "Spotlights" on real professionals, interviews, quizzes, and more, but the layout would benefit from photos instead of dull clip art. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life series. Russo presents cursory overviews of branches of military service with insider-y details about what it's like to be in each. Enlistment, physical requirements, special training, housing, weapons and equipment, and special assignments are briefly described in accessible texts aimed at third and fourth graders. Photographs add interest, but odd cropping and busy layouts detract from the presentations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life titles: Surprising Facts About Being an Air Force Airman and Surprising Facts About Being an Army Soldier.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life series. Russo presents cursory overviews of branches of military service with insider-y details about what it's like to be in each. Enlistment, physical requirements, special training, housing, weapons and equipment, and special assignments are briefly described in accessible texts aimed at third and fourth graders. Photographs add interest, but odd cropping and busy layouts detract from the presentations. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: What You Didn't Know About U.S. Military Life titles: Surprising Facts About Being an Air Force Airman and Surprising Facts About Being an Army Soldier.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Be What You Want series. This tween guide engagingly outlines various programming career paths, interviews coders of all ages and experiences, provides historical context, and quizzes its readers; the book specifically highlights successful women in STEM fields. Readers not dissuaded by the sometimes-confusing layout, protracted sidebars, and a lack of visuals (other than dull clip art) will find a lot of useful information here. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series. Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Be What You Want series. An extremely thorough look at many different types of leadership positions--political, spiritual, law enforcement, entrepreneurial, and more. "Spotlight" and "VIP Profile" bios introduce real-life leaders, historical and contemporary, famous and non-famous. The absence of photos makes the volume less appealing than it could be, but readers not put off by a dull appearance will glean inspiration. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Be What You Want series. "Think your Goth lifestyle is a predictor of your future vocation"? This overly broad installment examines fields centered on dead things--from archaeology, forensics, and taxidermy to volcanology and "ghost hunting"--including the gritty details involved in the work. Interviews with professionals provide a personal touch to a dense text that can feel like a data dump. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution series. These dense, detailed volumes examine specific aspects of the American Revolution. Full-color illustrations, maps, and charts are featured throughout and serve as welcome breaks from the almost-overlong narratives. Still, the books are thoroughly researched and well written and will please young history buffs (and their teachers). Critical thinking questions are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. The review covers the following What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution titles: The Untold Story of the Battle of Saratoga and The Untold Story of the Black Regiment.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution series. These dense, detailed volumes examine specific aspects of the American Revolution. Full-color illustrations, maps, and charts are featured throughout and serve as welcome breaks from the almost-overlong narratives. Still, the books are thoroughly researched and well written and will please young history buffs (and their teachers). Critical thinking questions are included. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. The review covers the following What You Didn't Know About the American Revolution titles: The Untold Story of the Battle of Saratoga and The Untold Story of the Black Regiment.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Be What You Want series. Van der Linde begins with an overview of Western dance styles (emphasizing ballet) and their requirements for professional dancers. The accessible text thoroughly covers backstage logistics, the pros and cons of a dance degree, non-performing careers in the industry (such as dance critic and costumer), and second careers. Interspersed interviews and sidebars add valuable information. Extensive resources appended. Websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. This volume places young readers at the heart of the events and dilemmas of Columbus's "adventure." Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Columbus's accomplishments and misdeeds are both explored. Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 What Would You Do? series. These volumes place young readers at the heart of some dilemmas of frequently studied pivotal events in American history. Sections in simple, conversational language promote discussion by alternating "What Would You Do?" questions (which are more sophisticated than the main text) with "What Really Happened." Maps and archival images add to the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these What Would You Do? titles: The Alamo, The Boston Tea Party, The Salem Witch Trials, and The Underground Railroad.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo