(3) 4-6 I Witness series. Early Wittcomb runs away from home to rescue his uncle Jesse and bring back gold to save the family farm. Early works his way West on a wagon train, encountering many dangers along the way and learning the importance of family and friends while figuring out his own future. An appended author's note and photographs give additional context for the story. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(3) 4-6 Witness to Disaster series. This book presents an overview of earthquakes, plate tectonic theory, and the science of earthquake prediction. First-person accounts from those who experienced earthquakes and also from the scientists who study them add immediacy. Impressively dramatic photographs, both contemporary and archival, show the devastation that earthquakes can cause. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Witness to Disaster series. Disquieting quotes from those who have experienced droughts, comments from the scientists who study them, and an array of photographs illustrate numerous examples of recent and historical droughts. Brief scientific explanations about such topics as the water cycle and global warming are included, but the emphasis is on describing droughts and attempts to mitigate their effects. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 I Witness series. Avi introduces readers to construction of the Union battleship the Monitor and its subsequent battle with the Confederacy's Merrimac. The saga involves young Tom Carroll, who must work to help support his family after his father's death. Historical record, design theory, construction problems, and details of the ships' 1862 battle take center stage. An author's note and archival photographs add detail. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) 4-6 Witness to Disaster series. Dramatic first-person quotes and an array of impressive photographs bring to readers real-life accounts of recent and historical natural disasters. The emphasis here is on personal reactions--devastation, destruction, and fear (Hurricanes more so than Volcanoes)--although basic explanations of hurricane and volcano mechanics and the science of prediction are also included, supported by quotes from scientists. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to Disaster titles: Hurricanes and Volcanoes.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Witness to Disaster series. Dramatic first-person quotes and an array of impressive photographs bring to readers real-life accounts of recent and historical natural disasters. The emphasis here is on personal reactions--devastation, destruction, and fear (Hurricanes more so than Volcanoes)--although basic explanations of hurricane and volcano mechanics and the science of prediction are also included, supported by quotes from scientists. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to Disaster titles: Hurricanes and Volcanoes.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After an introduction that defines primary and secondary sources, left-hand pages superficially discuss historical events and right-hand pages provide firsthand accounts from a range of people (Hitler's family's Jewish doctor, a farmer in southern Ulster). The primary source material is this series's asset. The captioned photographs extend the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: The Troubles in Northern Ireland and The Rise of Hitler.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After an introduction that defines primary and secondary sources, left-hand pages superficially discuss historical events and right-hand pages provide firsthand accounts from a range of people (soldiers' letters to Bob Hope, John Brown). The primary source material is this series's asset. The captioned photographs extend the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: Slavery in the United States and World War II Home Front.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After an introduction that defines primary and secondary sources, left-hand pages superficially discuss historical events and right-hand pages provide firsthand accounts from a range of people (soldiers' letters to Bob Hope, John Brown). The primary source material is this series's asset. The captioned photographs extend the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: Slavery in the United States and World War II Home Front.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. Following an introduction that defines primary and secondary sources, left-hand pages superficially discuss historical events and right-hand pages provide firsthand accounts from a range of people (a Russian student, a Japanese pilot). The primary source material is this series's asset. Captioned photos extend the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: Pearl Harbor and The Collapse of Communism.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After explaining the biases inherent in primary and secondary sources, these books briefly cover a topic and then provide a primary source to back it up. Though lack of follow-up on the primary sources will leave readers wondering what happened to the individuals quoted, these are good starting points for understanding how history is written. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: The Vietnam War, The War in Iraq, and Hiroshima.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After explaining the biases inherent in primary and secondary sources, this book briefly discusses different aspects of apartheid and then provides a primary source to illustrate those aspects. Lack of follow-up on the primary sources may leave readers wondering what happened to individuals quoted, but this is a good introduction to how history is written. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After explaining the biases inherent in primary and secondary sources, these books briefly cover a topic and then provide a primary source to back it up. Though lack of follow-up on the primary sources will leave readers wondering what happened to the individuals quoted, these are good starting points for understanding how history is written. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: The Vietnam War, The War in Iraq, and Hiroshima.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. Following an introduction that defines primary and secondary sources, left-hand pages discuss historical events and right-hand pages provide firsthand accounts from a range of people (a teacher, reporters, Hamid Karzai). The primary source material is this series's asset. Captioned photos extend the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After explaining the biases inherent in primary and secondary sources, these books briefly cover a topic and then provide a primary source to back it up. Though lack of follow-up on the primary sources will leave readers wondering what happened to the individuals quoted, these are good starting points for understanding how history is written. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: The Vietnam War, The War in Iraq, and Hiroshima.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After an introduction that defines primary and secondary sources, left-hand pages superficially discuss historical events and right-hand pages provide firsthand accounts from a range of people (Hitler's family's Jewish doctor, a farmer in southern Ulster). The primary source material is this series's asset. The captioned photographs extend the text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: The Troubles in Northern Ireland and The Rise of Hitler.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. After explaining the biases inherent in primary and secondary sources, this book briefly describes different aspects of the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict and then provides a primary source to illustrate those aspects. Lack of follow-up on the primary sources may leave readers wondering what happened to the individuals quoted, but this is a good introduction to how history is written. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. Following an introduction that defines primary and secondary sources, left-hand pages superficially discuss historical events and right-hand pages provide firsthand accounts from a range of people (a Russian student, a Japanese pilot). The primary source material is this series's asset. Captioned photos extend the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Witness to History titles: Pearl Harbor and The Collapse of Communism.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. In the books in this series, double-page spreads give brief, generalized accounts of the wars' progress, followed by eyewitness accounts in a handwritten font; captioned archival photos add depth. The cafeteria-style overviews are vague and feature patronizingly bold-faced vocabulary words and bracketed definitions, but the primary documents would enrich a curriculum. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Witness to History titles: World War I and World War II.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Witness to History series. In the books in this series, double-page spreads give brief, generalized accounts of the wars' progress, followed by eyewitness accounts in a handwritten font; captioned archival photos add depth. The cafeteria-style overviews are vague and feature patronizingly bold-faced vocabulary words and bracketed definitions, but the primary documents would enrich a curriculum. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Witness to History titles: World War I and World War II.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam