(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Amazing Animal Colonies series. The animals profiled in this series live in close contact with one another, in varying degrees of interdependence. After basics about species variations, anatomy, reproduction, and feeding, details about their housing structures (reefs, hives) and social interactions (bees) are discussed, along with threats to their existence and protection efforts. Engaging photographs and diagrams are provided. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Amazing Animal Colonies titles: Bees and Wasps and Corals

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA This fact-filled yet conversational discussion covers the history of physics and astrophysics then details current research on black holes, including their structure and formation, gravity waves, Fermi bubbles, and the telescopes and technologies used to investigate distant objects. Biographical profiles of scientists are found throughout the text; photographs and diagrams help to explain the high-level concepts. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Illustrated by Jeff Weigel. Nick visits his cousin Sophie--whose parents work at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research--to learn about the LHC. The graphic novel format works well in portraying subatomic particles in dramatic collisions and the teens imagining themselves at microscopic sizes. However, the scientific details are conveyed through long, awkward lectures from Sophie and famous scientists. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) YA Investigate Drugs series. Six or seven chapters about the use and abuse of each substance include descriptions, interactions with the human brain, physiology, consequences, treatment, and personal stories of addiction. "Did You Know?" sections add information but are awkwardly placed and interrupt the text. There is some repetition of text, photos, and graphics from volume to volume. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Investigate Drugs titles: Investigate Alcohol, Investigate Cocaine and Crack, Investigate Methamphetamine, Investigate Club Drugs, and Investigate Steroids and Performance Drugs.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Inventors at Work! series. Highlighting mainly lesser-known inventors of well-known products, these books straightforwardly relate the history, science, process of discovery, and the challenges each person faced in developing his or her invention. The accurate but sometimes fragmented narratives are supplemented by photos, sidebars, diagrams, and a four-page appendix about how to develop an innovative idea into an invention. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inventors at Work titles: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Queen, Scuba Man, The Coolest Inventor, Microwave Man, The Woman Who Invented Windshield Wipers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Inventors at Work! series. Highlighting mainly lesser-known inventors of well-known products, these books straightforwardly relate the history, science, process of discovery, and the challenges each person faced in developing his or her invention. The accurate but sometimes fragmented narratives are supplemented by photos, sidebars, diagrams, and a four-page appendix about how to develop an innovative idea into an invention. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Inventors at Work titles: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Queen, Scuba Man, The Coolest Inventor, Microwave Man, The Woman Who Invented Windshield Wipers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 I Like Inventors! series. This introduction to James Naismith, the school minister who invented basketball, provides very basic information about his life, such as his upbringing and motivations, as well as the game itself; there’s little about its evolution, giving readers no sense of the magnitude of his achievement. Photos, many archival, are included in every spread. A related activity ends the title. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 I Like Inventors! series. These introductions to the people who came up with innovations we take for granted provide very basic information about their lives, such as their upbringing and motivations, as well as their inventions; there's little about processes, giving readers no sense of the magnitude of their achievements. Photos, many archival, are included in every spread. A related activity ends each title. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these I Like Inventors! titles: Who Invented Home Video Games?, Who Invented Television?, Who Was the Hair-Care Millionaire?, Who Fixed Babies' Hearts?, and Who Invented the Ferris Wheel?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 I Like Inventors! series. These introductions to the people who came up with innovations we take for granted provide very basic information about their lives, such as their upbringing and motivations, as well as their inventions; there's little about processes, giving readers no sense of the magnitude of their achievements. Photos, many archival, are included in every spread. A related activity ends each title. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these I Like Inventors! titles: Who Invented Home Video Games?, Who Invented Television?, Who Was the Hair-Care Millionaire?, Who Fixed Babies' Hearts?, and Who Invented the Ferris Wheel?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Why Do We Have Seasons? series. This series, which focuses on climates where one season differs dramatically from another, is abundantly illustrated with engaging color photographs. The pages are wide-open, owing as much to a paucity of detail in the text as to aesthetics. Nevertheless, readers will glean basic information about the featured season. An experiment raises questions but doesn't provide answers. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Why Do We Have Seasons? titles: Why Is It Fall?. Why Is It Spring?, Why Is It Summer?, and Why Is It Winter?.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Why Do We Have Seasons? series. This series, which focuses on climates where one season differs dramatically from another, is abundantly illustrated with engaging color photographs. The pages are wide-open, owing as much to a paucity of detail in the text as to aesthetics. Nevertheless, readers will glean basic information about the featured season. An experiment raises questions but doesn't provide answers. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Why Do We Have Seasons? titles: Why Is It Fall?. Why Is It Spring?, Why Is It Summer?, and Why Is It Winter?.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Why Do We Have Seasons? series. This series, which focuses on climates where one season differs dramatically from another, is abundantly illustrated with engaging color photographs. The pages are wide-open, owing as much to a paucity of detail in the text as to aesthetics. Nevertheless, readers will glean basic information about the featured season. An experiment raises questions but doesn't provide answers. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Why Do We Have Seasons? titles: Why Is It Fall?. Why Is It Spring?, Why Is It Summer?, and Why Is It Winter?.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Why Do We Have Seasons? series. This series, which focuses on climates where one season differs dramatically from another, is abundantly illustrated with engaging color photographs. The pages are wide-open, owing as much to a paucity of detail in the text as to aesthetics. Nevertheless, readers will glean basic information about the featured season. An experiment raises questions but doesn't provide answers. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Why Do We Have Seasons? titles: Why Is It Fall?. Why Is It Spring?, Why Is It Summer?, and Why Is It Winter?.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 True Forensic Crime Stories series. This series uses real-life examples from the eighteenth century through today to introduce readers to forensic science. Case studies demonstrate how investigators use chemistry, biology, and good detective skills to solve crimes. The science is generally accessible and the accompanying photographs are well used. Ignore the pages' hokey blood spatters. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these True Forensic Crime Stories titles: Trace Evidence, Gun Crimes, Bones, Cybercrime, DNA and Blood, and Fingerprints.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) 4-6 True Forensic Crime Stories series. This series uses real-life examples from the eighteenth century through today to introduce readers to forensic science. Case studies demonstrate how investigators use chemistry, biology, and good detective skills to solve crimes. The science is generally accessible and the accompanying photographs are well used. Ignore the pages' hokey blood spatters. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these True Forensic Crime Stories titles: Trace Evidence, Gun Crimes, Bones, Cybercrime, DNA and Blood, and Fingerprints.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(3) 4-6 True Forensic Crime Stories series. This series uses real-life examples from the eighteenth century through today to introduce readers to forensic science. Case studies demonstrate how investigators use chemistry, biology, and good detective skills to solve crimes. The science is generally accessible and the accompanying photographs are well used. Ignore the pages' hokey blood spatters. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these True Forensic Crime Stories titles: Trace Evidence, Gun Crimes, Bones, Cybercrime, DNA and Blood, and Fingerprints.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(4) 4-6 Wild Science Careers series. These books introduce field scientists in geology, chemistry, or ecology. The texts describe the work of the featured men and women, how they developed their interests and expertise, and their particular contributions. Photographs of the scientists at work and diagrams throughout help enliven the informative but somewhat choppy texts. Detailed information on required education and salary expectations is included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Wild Science Careers titles: Ice Scientist, Lava Scientist, and Forensic Scientist.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Wild Science Careers series. These books introduce field scientists in geology, chemistry, or ecology. The texts describe the work of the featured men and women, how they developed their interests and expertise, and their particular contributions. Photographs of the scientists at work and diagrams throughout help enliven the informative but somewhat choppy texts. Detailed information on required education and salary expectations is included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Wild Science Careers titles: Ice Scientist, Lava Scientist, and Forensic Scientist.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 I Like the Seasons! series. These introductory guides to the seasons are illustrated with colorful, appealing photographs and some informative diagrams. The science behind seasonal changes is superficially explained, followed by a Northern Hemisphere–focused depiction of these changes on plants, animals, and people. Each book concludes with a simple experiment. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these I Like the Seasons titles: What Happens in Spring? and What Happens in Winter?

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 I Like the Seasons! series. These introductory guides to the seasons are illustrated with colorful, appealing photographs and some informative diagrams. The science behind seasonal changes is superficially explained, followed by a Northern Hemisphere–focused depiction of these changes on plants, animals, and people. Each book concludes with a simple experiment. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these I Like the Seasons titles: What Happens in Spring? and What Happens in Winter?

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin