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(4)
YA
Collective Biographies series.
In each dense collective biography, six brief biographical sketches introduce key figures in magic, science-fiction films, DJing, the internet, young adult literature, or celebrity brand empires. Focusing on select pivotal players demonstrates how creative talent contributed to the meteoric rise of each industry, though the people or material included can be random. Thematic introductions, photographs, sidebars, and pull-quotes add dimension. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers the following Collective Biographies titles: Great Magicians and Illusionists, Sci-Fi Directors, Electronic Dance Music DJs, Internet Entrepreneurs, Young Adult Authors, and Brand Empire Celebrities.
96 pp.
| ReferencePoint
| October, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60152-544-4$28.95
(3)
YA
History's Great Structures series.
In this volume, the history of the iconic Twin Towers complex, from birth to destruction to resurgence is explored from various angles including economic impact, architectural significance, and cultural relevance. Modern and archival photographs, maps, diagrams, sidebars, and definitions supplement the rich, detailed, but still easy-to-read text. Numerous quotations from primary and secondary sources add academic weight. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.
96 pp.
| ReferencePoint
| October, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60152-532-1$28.95
(3)
YA
History's Great Structures series.
These volumes focus on iconic structures in Europe. From background information about construction to contemporary use and modern updates, the history and significance of these architectural wonders is explored. Illustrations, modern and archival photographs, maps, diagrams, sidebars, and definitions supplement the rich, detailed, but still easy-to-read text. Numerous quotations from primary and secondary sources add academic weight. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these History's Great Structures titles: Shakespeare's Globe Theater and The Eiffel Tower.
96 pp.
| ReferencePoint
| October, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60152-540-6$28.95
(3)
YA
History's Great Structures series.
In these volumes, ancient architectural wonders are detailed, from the background behind their construction to how they were used to their subsequent decline and eventual conservation and restoration. Illustrations, modern photographs, maps, diagrams, sidebars, and definitions supplement the rich, detailed, but still easy-to-read text. Numerous quotations from primary and secondary sources add academic weight. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these History's Great Structures titles: The Medieval Castle, The Parthenon of Ancient Greece, and The Roman Colosseum.
96 pp.
| Lucent
| June, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4205-0270-1$30.85
(4)
YA
Nutrition and Health series.
Plenty of valid research studies are cited in this series. Though information that a poor diet can lead to stroke and heart disease may not resonate with teen readers, current trends, such as energy drinks and celebrity endorsements of junk food products, are covered and may spark some interest. Stock photos, useful sidebars, and "Nutrition Fact" trivia support the main texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Nutrition and Health titles: Diet and Disease, Junk Food Junkies, and Food Myths and Facts.
96 pp.
| ReferencePoint
| November, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60152-188-0$27.95
(3)
YA
Understanding World History series.
These books chronicle the personalities and events that played principal roles in the development of Western civilization from 3100 BC in ancient Egypt to the end of the Middle Ages, circa 1450. The readable, concise texts are reinforced with numerous illustrations and maps. Readers will appreciate the sidebars that give additional information about particular eras. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Understanding World History titles: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, The Early Middle Ages, and The Late Middle Ages.
96 pp.
| ReferencePoint
| November, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60152-151-4$27.95
(3)
YA
Understanding World History series.
These books chronicle the personalities and events that played principal roles in the development of Western civilization from 3100 BC in ancient Egypt to the end of the Middle Ages, circa 1450. The readable, concise texts are reinforced with numerous illustrations and maps. Readers will appreciate the sidebars that give additional information about particular eras. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Understanding World History titles: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, The Early Middle Ages, and The Late Middle Ages.
80 pp.
| ReferencePoint
| March, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60152-150-7$26.95
(4)
YA
Monsters and Mythical Creatures series.
These books provide detailed looks at the title creatures in history, legend, and popular culture. Color photographs and illustrations enhance the texts and include images from movies and television. Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, the authors present information from a variety of sources, including websites, and offer serious looks at fantastical creatures. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Monsters and Mythical Creatures titles: Goblins, Dragons, Cyclops, Water Monsters, and Zombies.
48 pp.
| Norwood
| July, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59953-380-3$25.27
(4)
4-6
Great Idea series.
These volumes explore inventions that allow for invisibility, pilotless flight, high-definition television signals, and animal-behavior imitation by robots. "Did You Know?" facts and other sidebars, while interesting, often interrupt the flow of the texts. Captioned photographs support and clarify the science behind the inventions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Idea titles: Becoming Invisible, HDTV, Pilotless Planes, and SCRATCHBot.
104 pp.
| Lucent
| September, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4205-0233-6$33.45
(4)
YA
People in the News series.
These mainly laudatory volumes examine the sports powerhouses' obstacles and successes. Phelps focuses on his struggles with ADHD, his growth as an athlete, and how he has transformed the sport of swimming. For basketball star Rose, the emphasis is on his strength of character and the development of his skills from high school player to the NBA. Copious photos illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Michael Phelps and Derrick Rose.
80 pp.
| ReferencePoint
| August, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60152-135-4$26.95
(4)
YA
Vampire Library series.
The series provides a serious-minded and historically grounded discussion of vampires, examining the creatures through different aspects of culture. Despite the books' overlapping content (some that contradicts itself in different volumes), the engaging style and earnest treatment of the topic will ensure that fans will drink the series up. Sidebars, photographs, and paintings support the texts. Reading list. Bib., ind. Review covers these Vampire Library titles: Encounters with Vampires, Vampire History and Lore, Vampires: Do They Exist?,Vampires in Literature, and Vampires in the Movies.
48 pp.
| KidHaven
| December, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7377-4566-5$28.25
(4)
4-6
Innovators series.
Zuckerberg focuses on the Facebook inventor's youth while Greiner and Taylor highlight the contributions of women in engineering and medical research. Though the texts are accessible, the information (especially statistics) will quickly be outdated. Stock photos of varying relevance illustrate the texts. Taylor includes a reading list. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Innovators titles: Doris Taylor, Helen Greiner, and Mark Zuckerberg.
117 pp.
| Chelsea
| February, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60413-307-3$35.00
(3)
YA
Milestones in American History series.
Short, clearly written chapters explore significant events in American history. The curricular-support titles are amply illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs and reproductions and supported with biographical sketches and excerpts from primary documents. There are five other spring 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Milestones in American History titles: The Donner Party, The Oregon Trail, The Pony Express, The Prohibition Era, The Outbreak of Civil War, and The Emancipation Proclamation.
48 pp.
| Norwood
| July, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59953-341-4$25.27
(4)
4-6
Great Idea series.
These books explore the invention of and benefits offered by two technological devices. Nexi addresses the challenge of developing social robots; Bionic of designing prostheses to incorporate the complexity of emulating the brain-to-nervous-system connection. "Did You Know?" sidebars and illustrations add to accessibility for readers, but babyish book design may deter them. Nexi includes a reading list. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Idea titles: The Nexi Robot and The Bionic Hand.
134 pp.
| Chelsea
| December, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60413-020-1$35.00 New ed. (2002)
(4)
YA
Creation of the Modern Middle East series.
These books (Iraq and Palestinian have been revised and updated) are straightforward histories of Middle Eastern countries (though the area's volatility makes the series immediately out of date). The texts are dry, but they do an adequate job of providing background. Useful maps delineate the region's geography, and the many photographs add interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Creation of the Modern Middle East titles: United Arab Emirates, The Palestinian National Authority, and Iraq.
48 pp.
| Norwood
| August, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59953-198-4$25.27
(4)
4-6
Great Idea series.
Colorful illustrations and readable text cover the development of YouTube as a "virtual village," from its inception to its do-gooder uses (e.g., anti-drug messages) and potential dangers to its almost endless future possibilities. Issues such as copyright, competition, and content restrictions are addressed. Though the subject will be of interest to readers, babyish book design may deter them. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
135 pp.
| Chelsea
| April, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-9567-6$30.00
(3)
YA
Football Superstars series.
Readers will find this series a good resource for information about the NFL, including background and player stats. Photographs and text also reveal the human side of professional athletes: their personalities, fears, and successes. Readers learn of Walter Payton's serious liver illness, Dan Marino's son's struggles with autism, and Brett Favre's addiction to and recovery from prescription drugs. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Football Superstars titles: Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, Dan Marino, and Walter Payton.
120 pp.
| Chelsea
| August, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-9568-3$30.00
(3)
YA
Football Superstars series.
These biographies recount, through vivid photographs and an engaging narrative style, each star's football journey. Readers will discover what life is like for the players both on and off the field. Quotes from coaches, friends, and family appear in each book, and community service, family matters, close friendships, and personal setbacks are all covered. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Football Superstars titles: Tiki Barber, Barry Sanders, John Elway, Ben Roethlisberger, Jerry Rice, and Joe Montana.
104 pp.
| ReferencePoint
| September, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60152-054-8$25.95
(4)
4-6
Mysterious & Unknown series.
This volume provides detailed descriptions of mummies from a variety of global locations and climates, mummified in different ways, intentionally or accidentally. Fascinating mummy photos, along with pull-quotes and sidebars, break up the dense pages. Some of the lengthy captions are lifted directly from the main text. Reading list, websites. Ind.
117 pp.
| Chelsea
| February, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-9724-3$30.00
(3)
YA
Great Hispanic Heritage series.
These biographies provide substantive portraits, including background information and historical context, of their subjects: beloved writer Borges, charismatic band leader Puente, and worldwide celebrity Lopez. The well-documented texts effectively combine anecdotes, quotations, and historical details. Many photographs and sidebars are also included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Great Hispanic Heritage titles: Jorge Luis Borges, Tito Puente, and Jennifer Lopez.