(3) YA A sweeping geographic and historical overview of twentieth-century refugee crises, ranging from refugees of war to those displaced by climate change. Broad historical summaries are balanced with one-page stories from individual refugees, some of whom are well-known. Full-color photos, text boxes on related issues, and extensive back matter make this an enriching and comprehensive resource. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Julie Hakim Azzam

(3) YA Artificial intelligence is explored in detail, with attention to the development of the scientific fields underlying the concept. The history of computing, robotics, neural networks, and the ethics of possible independent artificial life are included in the engaging conversation. Photographs of the various technologies and their inventors break up the dense text. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA McPherson examines doping culture in professional and amateur sports, documenting its frequent high-school roots, synthesizing information from secondary sources, and quoting anecdotal comments from players affected in various ways. Students will benefit from the well-written and thorough text, but they may struggle with the sparse graphics and unimaginative design. Occasional color photographs put a human face on the issue. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Inside Elections series. This series examines political issues that are pertinent to an informed citizenry participating in a democracy. Each book covers some phase of the voting process and provides adequate information for a basic understanding of the selected topic. Inserts present pros and cons of viewpoints held by opposition groups. The dense texts are illustrated with small photographs and charts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Inside Elections titles: Media, Special Interests, Voters, and Political Parties.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Illustrated with excellent photos and charts, here's an up-to-date, well-informed overview of international interest in and controversies over the Arctic region, with a balanced look at effects on its resources as the polar ice cap diminishes. From potential energy sources to impacts on indigenous people, McPherson covers the "high hopes and harsh realities" of the region. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Scientific Rivalries and Scandals series. In the years leading up the 1893 World's Fair, a bitter debate waged between Edison and Tesla, who was joined by George Westinghouse, regarding the use of AC and DC current. Competition, underhanded business practices, and public and political manipulation all came into play. Archival photographs, sidebars, and diagrams extend the narrative but contribute to a cramped design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) YA An introduction describing the earliest moments of an emergency that would become historic tragedy opens this meticulously researched Titanic account that focuses on the event's lesser-known details and devotes ample coverage to its aftermath. Frequent sidebars that further zoom in on small stories within larger ones, striking historical photographs and period illustrations, and extensive back matter complement McPherson's engaging prose. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these biographies provide birth-to-present-day views of Barack Obama and Tim Berners-Lee. Book design is busy, but photographs often enhance the texts (though some pictures seem arbitrary: e.g., a photo of Masai warriors because Obama's father, a member of the Luo tribe, once talked about Kenyans to Barack's fifth-grade class). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Tim Berners-Lee and Barack Obama.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) YA Issues in Focus Today series. Short chapters incorporate factual information into personal anecdotes for accessible discussions of these topics. Losing covers the grieving process before focusing on different losses (parent, pet, sibling, etc.). Stressed looks at sources, effects, and coping mechanisms. The page design is approachable if dull. Many of the photos look staged. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Issues in Focus Today titles: Stressed out in School? and Losing Someone You Love

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) YA Debating Supreme Court Decisions series. These books give information about Supreme Court cases that are of interest to teenagers. Each volume lays the groundwork for the case, introduces the principal participants, follows the preliminary legal action, reports on the Supreme Court decision, and explores the ramifications of the ruling. Black-and-white photographs and reproductions of documents are included. Interactive moot court activities will further intrigue interested readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Debating Supreme Court Decisions titles: The Gault Case, Miranda v. Arizona, The Earls Case, Tinker v. Des Moines, and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 History Maker Bios series. These simple biographies offer young readers a glimpse into the early lives, careers, and achievements of notable Americans. The books include quotes from the subjects, chapter head art (unfortunately, amateurishly cartoonish), and archival photos, illustrations, and reproductions of primary source materials. Sentences are short, and the books are appropriately geared toward children gaining confidence in their reading skills. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these History Maker Bios titles: Susan B. Anthony, John Adams, and Jimmy Carter.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Presidential Leaders series. Six presidents--from Warren Harding, whom historians rate one of the worst, to Theodore Roosevelt, whose popularity resulted in a stuffed animal being named for him--are profiled in these laudatory biographies. Report writers will find the basic facts here but will need to look elsewhere for more comprehensive coverage. Black-and-white period photos and reproductions break up the dull texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Presidential Leaders titles: William H. Taft, Andrew Johnson, Warren G. Harding, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 History Maker Bios series. Each book in this series presents basic biographical material about an important figure in science or industry. The lackluster text is enhanced by plentiful black-and-white archival photos and period reproductions; unnecessary cartoonlike illustrations in color detract from the overall design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. [Review covers these History Maker Bios titles: George Eastman, Albert Einstein, Milton Hershey, The Wright Brothers, Marie Curie, and Thomas Edison.]

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 Trailblazers series. This lively, well-researched biography of the founders of modern aviation is supported by a good selection of black-and-white archival photographs and diagrams. Readers get a glimpse into the brothers' childhood, but the majority of the book focuses on their adult lives and work. The clear, interesting text makes potentially difficult areas of aerodynamics understandable. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) YA Lerner Biographies series. This laudatory biography focuses on Salk's work leading up to and immediately following the discovery of a successful polio vaccine. The author effectively conveys the excitement of scientific inquiry. Extensive source notes and a section about the polio virus are helpful and thorough. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) YA Landmark Supreme Court Cases series. The six cases discussed in these volumes span one hundred and fifty years of Supreme Court jurisprudence. The volumes recount the circumstances of each case, summarize the opposing arguments, and explain the future implications of the Court's decision. The dry texts, probably best suited for report-writing students, are accompanied by black-and-white photos. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Creative Minds Biography series. Illustrated by Karen Ritz. Despite an unattractive cover, this biography of Sarah and Angelina Grimké is an engaging read. Born into white Southern privilege in 1792 and 1805, respectively, the sisters became social activists for abolition and women's rights. Both women braved danger and scorn by speaking out publicly and traveling throughout the country with their message. Adequate black-and-white drawings accompany the well-written text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. The lives of six famous figures are profiled in clear prose and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, reproductions, and maps. Information boxes provide diverting sidelights to the well-documented texts, and each volume ends with a chapter reiterating the achievements and historical legacy of the subject. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta