(4) 4-6 Edge Books: History Hunters series. This series provides brief surveys of ancient civilizations. In each book, double-page spreads focus on an aspect of culture, politics, military, home life, etc. The layout--with its many illustrations, background colors, bold vocabulary words, and fonts--is eye-catching without being distracting. The unfortunately named "Deadly Secrets" guessing game in several sections adds an interesting challenge, but the information is sparse. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: History Hunters titles: Ancient Greece, Ancient China, and The Mayans.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Story of Mexico series. This series covers the history of Mexico from pre-Columbian times to the present. The writing is clear, engaging, and not overly simplified; Stein doesn't shy away from difficult topics such as drug-cartel violence today. Each of the volumes is well designed, with relevant photographs and illustrations. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Story of Mexico titles: Ancient Mexico, Emiliano Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, The Mexican-American War, and Modern Mexico.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) YA Unearthing Ancient Worlds series. Each volume begins with a snapshot look at life in the title city, then moves on to detail the first excavations at its site. Important figures involved in the historical digs are then introduced, and readers follow along as the archaeologists make their groundbreaking discoveries. Numerous sidebars, maps, and illustrations provide additional information about the sites and excavation details. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Unearthing Ancient Worlds titles: Palenque and Pompeii.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Art across the Ages series. Geared toward beginning readers, these brief books include photos and descriptions of artwork from ancient Egypt or Mexico. Often the text poses questions to the reader or points out easily-missed visual details. The content remains simple, with few historic facts or dates given. Sentences are short, though readers may find some vocabulary challenging due to the subject matter. Pronunciation of a few words is included within the texts. Review covers these Art across the Ages titles: Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mexico.

Reviewer: Marika Hoe

(3) 4-6 Lourie observes modern archaeologists in Mexico City uncovering the ancient Aztec cities of Tenochtitlan and Teotihuacan. Blending his own observations with such accounts as Hernán Cortés's victory over Moctezuma II, Lourie contextualizes Aztec practices such as human sacrifice. A clear map and photographs (of ancient ruins and pictures, modern scientists and digital reconstructions) augment the text. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 See More Readers series. An interesting, well-researched text is supported by appealing color photos. The book focuses mainly on Egypt but also mentions the pyramids of the Aztecs and Mayans. Readers new to the subject will be fascinated by the mummification process and the basics of pyramid construction. Difficult words and names are explained in context, and pronunciation is given.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 4-6 America's Horrible Histories series. Illustrated by Daniel McFeeley. This volume traces the history of humans in North America from around 13,000 B.C.E. to about 1000 CE, using humor to describe Ice Age animals, and the ways these earliest Americans ate, hunted, created art, and built mounds. Information boxes reveal where some of the places described in the book are located. The comical narrative voice and black-and-white illustrations will attract reluctant readers. Timelines are included. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Cities Through Time series. Illustrated by Ray Webb. Historical photographs and drawings, as well as competent if unremarkable artwork, illustrate this social history of the Cuidad de México. Cory's clear prose presents information on private and public life during the major periods of the city: its ancient beginnings, the Aztec period, Spanish colonization, independence, and life in contemporary times. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne