(3) YA Great Explorers of the World series. Examining the lives of well-known explorers, these biographies go beyond to offer information about the times in which the men lived; events leading up to and surrounding their travels; and the impact of their explorations on the world. The volumes are well illustrated with photos, archival art, and maps. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Explorers of the World titles: Leif Eriksson, Captain Cook, Cortés, Vasco Da Gama, Lewis and Clark, and Pizarro.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Explorers! series. Three explorers--of Asia, of South America, and of North America--are profiled in these brief biographies copiously illustrated with photos and reproductions. Unfortunately, the texts' lack of detail can prove confusing (e.g., in Pizarro we learn that "They took [the gold] to their ship," yet the fact that Pizarro and his men have a ship is news to us). Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Explorers! titles: Marco Polo, Francisco Pizarro, and Leif Eriksson.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Great Explorations series. Six explorers--including three Spanish conquistadors--are profiled alongside the lands and peoples they discovered and subjugated. Written in a colloquial style, several of the titles skate over the effects the Europeans' conquests had on the native populations, but for the most part these books are thorough. All six titles contain good-quality reproductions. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Great Explorations titles: Vasco da Gama, Zebulon Pike, Samuel de Champlain, Francisco Pizarro, Juan Ponce de León, and Vasco Nuñez de Balboa.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Explorers of New Worlds series. The various conquests of the Vikings and the explorations of four Europeans who voyaged to the Americas are recorded in well-designed volumes illustrated with historical reproductions and photos. While the accessible books make good basic introductions, they're probably not the best choice for research reports, as excerpts and quotations are undocumented. Time lines are included. There are five other books in this series. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 In World History series. Beginning with a look at the sixteenth-century Spanish conquistador's childhood, this book focuses on his South American expedition and conquest of the Incas. Worth also discusses the impact of Spanish rule in Peru. The conversational, informative text is bolstered by excerpts from primary source documents. A time line, archival and poorly reproduced black-and-white photos, and maps are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Sara Pearce