(3) YA Great Explorers of the World series. These accounts of the lives of La Salle, Magellan, or De Soto, valiant but often cruel explorers of the new world, make interesting reading as well as solid report material. The books are accessibly written and supported with maps (just one in La Salle), photos, and archival pictures. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Explorers of the World titles: La Salle, Magellan, and Hernando de Soto.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Historical Biographies series. These brief, formulaic books about Columbus's voyages and discovery of the New World (although he never admitted that he hadn't found the Indies) and de Soto's service in Panama and Nicaragua and his exploration of Florida provide a good starting point for report writers. The books are liberally illustrated with reproductions and maps. Pronunciation guide, reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical Biographies titles: Christopher Columbus and Hernando de Soto.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 In World History series. Based on substantial sources, the books in this series offer balanced appraisals of their subjects' contributions, as well as the controversies that their activities engendered (Cook's careful eighteenth-century explorations of the Pacific; de Soto's aggressive search for gold in North America; and Columbus's explorations, also gold-driven, for Spain). Each book contains dark black-and-white period prints and a timeline. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: Captain Cook Explores the Pacific in World History, Hernando de Soto and the Spanish Search for Gold in World History, Christopher Columbus and the Age of Exploration in World History.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian