(3) YA Essential Library of the US Military series. Each military branch's profile begins with a description of recent successful military initiatives to illustrate the group's mission and scope. Successive chapters effectively trace history, contemporary roles, equipment, and weapons. Career opportunities and basic training are also discussed; a final chapter describes life on the job. Color photos, charts, maps, and informative sidebars enhance the texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these US Military titles: The US Air Force, The US National Guard, The Us Coast Guard, and The Us Army.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Checkerboard: Everyday Heroes series. Both of these books provide information on the history and work of organizations dedicated to serving the nation (National Guard) or the world (Red Cross). Useful for school reports, the fairly dry books contain brief texts organized into chapters, as well as contemporary photographs and archival material. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Checkerboard: Everyday Heroes titles: The National Guard and The Red Cross.]

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow