(3) K-3 When I Grow Up series. Illustrated by Silvia Baroncelli. In a cheerful series of career books aimed at younger readers, each begins with a child imagining what he or she will do as a grownup. Overall, the series' cast is eclectic in gender and race, and there's welcome diversity in the occupations represented. The job descriptions are clear, and the cartoony illustrations are appealing. A hands-on craft activity is included. Glos. Review covers these When I Grow Up titles: When I Grow Up I'll Be a Carpenter, When I Grow Up I'll Be a Librarian, When I Grow Up I'll Be a Police Officer, When I Grow Up I'll Be a Teacher, When I Grow Up I'll Be a Truck Driver, When I Grow Up I'll Be an Engineer.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Dangerous Jobs in Action series. Simultaneously exciting and sobering, these fast-paced, true-life profiles of people in dangerous careers each begin by summarizing the job, indicating the risks, and presenting basic stats. Chapters then relate the nail-biting stories of people caught in life-threatening situations while performing these jobs; some survive, some do not. Well-chosen color photos and closing discussion questions accompany each entry. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Dangerous Jobs in Action titles: Stunt Performers in Action, Deep-Sea Fishermen in Action, Ice Road Truckers in Action, and Smoke Jumpers in Action.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Killers series. Inspired by true crime stories, these grisly hi-lo novels take a sensationalist approach to hook reluctant readers. Settlers are murdered in 1870s Kansas Territory (Hunting); a bit-part actress goes missing in 1940s Hollywood (Extra); a serial-killing trucker targets women in a dead-end town (Our Lady). Each book includes an author's note with background on the real-life origin story. There are three other spring 2017 books in this series. Review covers these Killers titles: The Extra Girl, The Hunting Party, and Our Lady of the River's Mouth.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) PS After truck driver Tom picks up a load of fruits and veggies from a farm, he negotiates a highway, a mountain, construction, a detour, traffic, and a bridge, finally making his delivery to an urban deli. Wellington's writing is, like Tom, efficient and cheerful, but her art, color copies of photos on bright geometric paintings, is what really brings it home.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 This Is What I Want to Be series. Beginning readers seeking general information about these occupations will find enough information in the brief text and color photographs to pique interest. Each framed double-page spread features two average-quality color photos and a few lines of text. A quiz asks readers to identify objects named in the picture glossary. There are nine other new books in this series. Ind. [Review covers these This Is What I Want to Be titles: Cowboy, Librarian, Truck Driver, Veterinarian, and Zookeeper.]

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Photographs by Steven Borns. Filled with interesting facts and color photos, the book includes a reproduction of a trucker's log, photos of the sleeper cabin, and a list of trucker lingo. Presented like a manual of simplified trucker instructions ("Check shock absorber mounts"), the text feels distanced, though it should still appeal to those with enough basic truck knowledge. Glos.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) K-3 If You Were A . . . series. These spirited if occasionally corny introductions to four different professions emphasize each's idiosyncrasies, pleasures, and social value. The descriptive prose is sure-footed, but the color photographs, featuring workers of both sexes and many races in action, sometimes have a contrived feel. Each book ends with a page of photos of tools of the trade and images of workers through the ages. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram