(2) K-3 Illustrated by Nicole Xu. Barton provides a sensitive and sober examination of the Oklahoma City bombing. "One April morning in 1995...there was a man with a big truck. He parked the truck in front of a big building in the middle of the city. He walked away. The bomb exploded. One hundred and sixty-eight people died." Three important themes emerge in the tragedy's aftermath: terrible, irreversible events will happen; people can help others work through their sadness; and hope can develop from despair. A damaged elm tree near the site endures, and as Oklahoma City victims continue to reach out to those affected by other tragedies, they distribute seedlings from this "Survivor Tree." The story does not end here; nor, as Barton indicates in plain, powerful language, will it ever end. Xu's art emphasizes the universality of the narrative, as she illustrates all individuals facelessly, allowing only their body language to reveal their feelings. Other tragedies will occur (dramatically and effectively represented in a shadowy black and gray double-page spread), but with the metaphor of the Survivor Tree's roots stretching out over many pages in the book, Barton promises that we will remember "the help so many needed..the help so many received [and]...the help so many provided." Appended with author and illustrator’s notes, brief biographies of individuals who were interviewed for the story, a bibliography of books about community strength, and internet resources.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(4) 4-6 Team Spirit series. These slim updated volumes document the histories, triumphs, and challenges of six NBA teams. Some brief player biographies and "fun facts," in addition to many current and archival photographs, will appease basketball fans. The tone is adulatory as the books focus on the franchises' most decorated moments. There are six other fall 2014 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Team Spirit titles: The Boston Celtics, The Chicago Bulls, The Los Angeles Lakers, The Miami Heat, The Oklahoma City Thunder, and The San Antonio Spurs.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 Disasters--People in Peril series. Illustrated with effective stock photos, these books offer overviews of tragedies that shattered America's sense of security in the 1990s. Relying heavily on popular magazine articles and news websites, the authors recount the immediate mayhem, touch on the aftermaths, and present biographical sketches of the perpetrators. Columbine concludes with gun control arguments; Oklahoma discusses domestic terrorism. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Disasters--People in Peril titles: {cf2]Forty-Nine Minutes of Madness and Homegrown Terror.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Crime Scene Investigations series. A shared foreword explains that these books should dispel the television myth that forensic crimes are solved by just one or two people. Instead, the series emphasizes collaborative efforts and highlights emerging technologies. The writing is dense; sidebars and photographs help break up the text. Burgeoning criminal justice enthusiasts will be fascinated by the technical and personal details. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Crime Scene Investigations titles: The Oklahoma City Bombing, Identity Theft, The Case of the Green River Killer, Tracking Serial Killers, and The Unabomber.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 American Disasters series. These books examine six disasters--three natural and three caused by human intent or neglect--that occurred within the United States during the past decade. The simple texts describe the events, their causes and consequences, how individuals and communities were affected, and what steps have been taken to improve safety in possible future occurrences. The dramatic color photos sometimes lack clarity but won't fail to draw readers. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta