Kings and queens. Generals and enlisted men. Flamboyant outlaws and gangsters. Intrepid explorers and treasure hunters. Much of the world’s history has been made by people who lived outsized lives, pursued outsized dreams, or achieved outsized deeds. Some began with the advantages of inherited riches and power, while others started with nothing but a desire for fame and fortune. Though in recent years, historical scholarship has largely veered away from exploring how the actions of “great men” have changed the past, this group of books reverses that trend. Many of this season’s series focus on the some of the world’s most interesting characters and how their stories have affected the course of events for both the better and the worse.

Preschool-Grade 4

LEE, Sally. Castles and Palaces. ISBN 978-1-62065-121-6. LC 2012030331.
––––. Kings and Queens. ISBN 978-1-62065-123-0. LC 2012030332.
––––. Knights. ISBN 978-1-62065-122-3. LC 2012030333.
––––. Princes and Princesses. ISBN 978-1-62065-124-7. LC 2012030335.
ea vol: 24p. (Pebble Plus: Royalty Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Capstone. 2013. PLB $24.65.
K-Gr 2–These attractive books take beginning readers into the world of historical and contemporary royalty and knights, providing basic introductions and examples of families, their work and activities, and homes. Designed to conform to national elementary standards, the titles each have word counts of about 180, first-grade reading levels, and simple text structures with repetition of key words. The uncluttered spreads feature bright, full-page color photos or illustrations on the right and a few sentences on the left. The photo captions–which include the names of a diverse group of rulers, castles, and countries drawn from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East–will be most challenging for the intended audience to read and/or take in. Glossaries offer simple definitions of challenging vocabulary. Suitable for both reading aloud and independent reading, these volumes will have broad appeal.

Grades 5 & Up

ARONIN , Miriam. Merciless Monarchs and Ruthless Royalty. ISBN 978-1-4677-0607-0; ISBN 978-1-4677-1035-0. LC 2012027291.
DONALDSON , Madeline. Pirates, Scoundrels, and Scallywags. ISBN 978-1-4677-0606-3; ISBN 978-1-4677-1033-6. LC 2012018927.
DONOVAN , Sandy. Lethal Leaders and Military Madmen. ISBN 978-1-4677-0609-4; ISBN 978-1-4677-1032-9. LC 2012018444.
LANDAU , Elaine. Assassins, Traitors, and Spies. ISBN 978-1-4677-0608-7; ISBN 978-1-4677-1030-5. LC 2012013841.
SCHWARTZ , Heather E. Gangsters, Bootleggers, and Bandits. ISBN 978-1-4677-0604-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-1031-2. LC 201201724.
––––. Outlaws, Gunslingers, and Thieves. ISBN 978-1-4677-0605-6; ISBN 978-1-4677-1036-7. LC 2012019113.
ea vol: 32p. (ShockZone: Villains Series). further reading. index. photos. reprods. websites. Lerner. 2013. PLB $26.60; ebook $19.95.
Gr 5-8 –These high-interest, brief books deliver information about some of history’s most notorious villains, most in two-page biographical sketches that relate their nefarious deeds without delving into gory details. While popular topics such as pirates and outlaws will always attract an audience, the brevity of each profile means that this set does not deliver enough background information to help readers fully place many of these people into historical contexts (such as Prohibition or the Cold War) and/or explain their actions. That weakness is most obvious in Monarchs, Assassins, and Gangsters, in which students may find the actions of “Bloody Mary,” Al Capone, and others mystifying. Full-color and black-and-white photos and reproductions, word definitions in text boxes, and sidebars supplement the short biographies. Most of these figures have been written about in extant titles, making these books additional choices for reluctant readers.

BARBER , Nicola. Lost Cities. ISBN 978-1-4109-4952-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-4959-2. LC 2012012891.
––––. Tomb Explorers. ISBN 978-1-4109-4955-4; ISBN 978-1-4109-4962-2. LC 2012012894.
GUILLAIN , Charlotte. Great Art Thefts. ISBN 978-1-4109-4951-6; ISBN 978-1-4109-4958-5. LC 2012012759.
HUNTER , Nick. Ancient Treasures. ISBN 978-1-4109-4950-9; ISBN 978-1-4109-4957-8. LC 2012012757.
––––. Pirate Treasure. ISBN 978-1-4109-4953-0; ISBN 978-1-4109-4960-8. LC 2012012890.
––––. Shipwrecks. ISBN 978-1-4109-4954-7; ISBN 978-1-4109-4961-5. LC 2012012892.
ea vol: 48p. (Treasure Hunters Series). reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. websites. Raintree. 2013. PLB $31.43; pap. $8.99.
Gr 5-8 –Readers of these exciting titles will join searches for some of the planet’s most storied places and legendary treasures. After helpful introductions that lay foundations so children will understand why thieves might want to steal art or treasure hunters take such risks, each volume contains chapters that follow the discovery and/or quests for objects such as “Roman Riches” or locations such as the legendary city of Troy. This format allows for development of topics and inclusion of sufficient background information. Concluding spreads nicely pull together themes and facts. The attractive full-color photos and illustrations of expeditions, explorers, and artifacts are both appealing and informative. While this set captures the thrill of the hunt, it also emphasizes the historical and cultural value of the treasures and how serendipitous discoveries and challenging missions have improved historians’ understanding of the past.

BURGAN , Michael. World War II Pilots: An Interactive History Adventure. ISBN 978-1-4296-9899-3; ISBN 978-1-62065-718-8.
––––. World War II Spies: An Interactive History Adventure. ISBN 978-1-4296-9898-6; ISBN 978-1-62065-722-5.
OTFINOSKI , Steven. World War II Infantrymen: An Interactive History Adventure. ISBN 978-1-4296-9964-8; ISBN 978-1-62065-716-4.
RAUM , Elizabeth. World War II Naval Forces: An Interactive History Adventure. ISBN 978-1-4296-4780-9; ISBN 978-1-62065-720-1.
ea vol: 112p. (You Choose: World War II Series). bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. websites. Capstone. 2013. PLB $31.32; pap. $6.95.
Gr 4-6–Adventure seekers will enjoy the choices they are given in the fast-paced, fictional (but historically accurate) World War II scenarios in these books. Each volume has an “About Your Adventure” introduction, followed by a chapter that orients readers in the time period. Students are given three initial story paths, which lead to numerous choices and many different endings, all set in important or notable battles. The primary characters include Allied fighters (one a Tuskegee Airman) and Germans, but no Japanese fighters. Readers will quickly see that even seemingly simple choices have life or death consequences. The mostly black-and-white period photos add realism, while maps, time lines, and captions add additional facts. Though these engaging texts are not replacements for traditional nonfiction, they will help readers understand the horrors and dangers of battle.

COOKE , Tim. The Exploration of Africa. maps. ISBN 978-1-4339-8611-6; ISBN 978-1-4339-8614-7. LC 2012024372.
––––. The Exploration of Arabia and Asia. ISBN 978-1-4339-8615-4; ISBN 978-1-4339-8618-5. LC 2012037842.
––––. The Exploration of Australasia and the Pacific. ISBN 978-1-4339-8619-2; ISBN 978-1-4339-8622-2. LC 2012037757.
––––. The Exploration of North America. ISBN 978-1-4339-8623-9; ISBN 978-1-4339-8626-0. LC 2012021921.
––––. The Exploration of South America. ISBN 978-1-4339-8627-7; ISBN 978-1-4339-8630-7. LC 201204534.
––––. The Exploration of the North and South Poles. ISBN 978-1-4339-8631-4; ISBN 978-1-4339-8634-5. LC 2012039586.
ea vol: 48p. (Explorers Discovering the World Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Gareth Stevens. 2013. PLB $31.95; ebook $31.95.
Gr 4-6 –Attractive presentations can’t overcome the weaknesses of the texts’ superficial summaries. Loosely organized by sections that focus on expeditions, explorers, or specific regions, the journeys covered mostly follow the exploits of famous European or American men, but a few Asian, female, and indigenous people are featured. The books focus more on exploration routes than on analysis of the reasons for the expeditions or their historical effects. The design combines limited text, sidebars and text boxes, reproductions, and stunning location photos. However, there are no contemporary maps, which will leave some readers feeling confused since the texts discuss so many specific routes. Poles erroneously claims that the South Pole receives less sunlight than the North Pole. The combination of all these flaws and the lack of analysis limits the effectiveness of this set–especially since exploration is a topic with wide coverage in extant titles.

DURMAN , Laura. Castle Life. ISBN 978-1-84858-560-7. LC 2011051440.
––––. Knights. ISBN 978-1-84858-561-4. LC 201101452.
––––. Siege. ISBN 978-1-84858-562-1. LC 2011051446.
HUMPHREY , Paul. Building a Castle. ISBN 978-1-84858-559-1. LC 2011051450.
ea vol: 32p. (Knights and Castles Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Arcturus. 2013. PLB $28.50.
Gr 4-6 –Large, full-color photographs and illustrations distinguish this series, which gives emerging readers a fascinating glimpse into the medieval world. With each spread devoted to a subject (e.g., “Personal protection,” “Castle defenses,” and “Banquets and feasts”), the books cover a wide range of topics such as weapons, castle construction, food, religion, and the structure and hierarchy of society. Though the texts are limited, they are well integrated with the appealing illustrations, which include contemporary photos of re-enactors and intact castles and ruins, art reproductions, and cutaways. Many images are also labeled with captions that introduce new words, which will increase vocabulary comprehension. Although these books do not present information that has not already been covered by existing sets, their clear, readable prose and illustration-focused format will attract and hold the attention of browsers and aid report writers. Strong new or replacement choices.

FORAN , Racquel. Knights. diags. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-724-1; ISBN 978-1-61480-815-2; ISBN 978-1-61783-774-6. LC 2012946375.
GITLIN , Martin. Green Berets. chart. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-723-4; ISBN 978-1-61480-814-5; ISBN 978-1-61783-773-9. LC 2012946369.
––––. Vikings. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-729-6; ISBN 978-1-61480-820-6; ISBN 978-1-61783-779-1. LC 2012946373.
HEPPERMANN , Christine. Samurai. charts. diags. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-727-2; ISBN 978-1-61480-818-3; ISBN 978-1-61783-777-7. LC 2012946371.
HOBLIN , Paul. Gladiators. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-722-7; ISBN 978-1-61480-813-8; ISBN 978-1-61783-772-2. LC 2012946376.
MARCINIAK , Kristin. Navy SEALs. charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-61783-725-8; ISBN 978-1-61480-816-9; ISBN 978-1-61783-775-3. LC 2012946370.
MOONEY , Carla. Ninjas. charts. diags. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-726-5; ISBN 978-1-61480-817-6; ISBN 978-1-61783-776-0. LC 2012946374.
OTFINOSKI , Steven. Spartans. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-728-9; ISBN 978-1-61480-819-0; ISBN 978-1-61783-778-4. LC 2012946372.
ea vol: 48p. (Great Warriors Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. ABDO/Core Library. 2013. PLB $32.79; ebook $32.79; pap. $15.64.
Gr 4-6 –Each title opens with an account of a dramatic battle or operation, followed by chapters about its featured warriors’  history, recruitment and training, weapons and tactics, and lifestyle. The volumes are clearly designed and written with the Common Core State Standards in mind. The texts are paired with captioned, average-quality photos and reproductions and maps. Sidebars include primary-source excerpts, additional facts, and/or prompts to elicit critical-thinking skills (for example, many passages ask readers to compare the way information is presented in the book to the way the same facts are delivered on a website). “Stop and Think” sections at the end of each title suggest independent research and writing activities. Though the set is accurate and informative enough for research projects and reports, it has a textbooklike quality that might be off-putting to some students and lacks the visual appeal found in the many series about military subjects.

All of these books describe how larger-than-life people have changed world history, but most of their stories have been told, in some cases many times, in extant series, making it difficult for authors and publishers to either improve on coverage or find a new perspective. Four of the sets manage to do so. Capstone’s “Pebble Plus: Royalty” offers high-quality illustrations and controlled vocabulary to help beginning readers learn about people and cultures identified in learning standards. Arcturus’s “Knights and Castles” integrates outstanding images with clearly written texts that will help middle-level readers understand the hierarchies and structures of the medieval period. Raintree’s “Treasure Hunters” captures the thrill of the hunt for all types of treasure–even as the set emphasizes that the true value of most of the world’s “treasure” is historical and cultural. Finally, Capstone’s “You Choose: World War II” merits consideration because of its departure from the traditional nonfiction format, creating historically accurate and exciting scenarios that allow students to choose their own paths as combatants in the Second World War.

 The emotional and intellectual capacities of humans make for some engaging drama, and what an extraordinary backdrop is ours for playing out our triumphs and tragedies. These series below explore humanity through the ages: in competition and cooperation, destruction and creation, division and unity. They range from ancient cultures to contemporary society and cover everything from pirates to popular culture. Taken as a whole, these sets demonstrate how over time our species has ebbed and flowed, come together and broken apart, not unlike parts of the world itself.

Preschool-Grade 4

JENSON-ELLIOTT, Cindy. Life Under the Pirate Code. ISBN 978-1-4296-8611-2. LC 2011048907.
–––– . The Most Famous Pirates. photos. ISBN 978-1-4296-8609-9. LC 20110
48910.
–––– . Pirate Ships Ahoy! photos. ISBN 978-1-4296-8610-5. LC 2011048909.
–––– . Pirates’ Tools for Life at Sea. photos. ISBN 978-1-4296-8612-9. LC 2011048906.
ea vol: 32p. (Blazers: Pirates! Series). illus. reprods. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Capstone. 2012. PLB $25.99.
Gr 2-4–This series is a great introduction to pirate life for young swashbucklers. The rich colors, bold graphics, and thrilling artwork will catch their attention, and the texts are manageable and engaging. The few sentences per page contain interesting tidbits of information about tools, weaponry, the pirate code, life on a ship, and famous buccaneers. The books are well organized into short chapters, and some paragraphs have their own simple subtitles, helping young readers anticipate main ideas. Highlighted terms are defined at the bottom of the pages and in the glossaries. Fact boxes offer additional intriguing nuggets. The books have a wealth of entertaining, accessible information in an eye-popping package, and readers will plunder the shelves for them again and again.

Grades 5 & Up

BALLEN, Karen Gunnison. Decoding Our DNA: Craig Venter vs the Human Genome Project. diags. ISBN 978-0-7613-5489-5; ISBN 978-1-4677-0142-6. LC 2011045644.
JOHNSON, Rebecca L. Battle of the Dinosaur Bones: Othniel Charles Marsh vs Edward Drinker Cope. chart. map. ISBN 978-0-7613-5488-8; ISBN 978-1-4677-0141-9. LC 2011045648.
KALLEN, Stuart A. The Race to Discover the AIDS Virus: Luc Montagnier vs Robert Gallo. diag. ISBN 978-0-7613-5490-1; ISBN 978-1-4677-0143-3. LC 22010039375.
MCPHERSON, Stephanie Sammartino. War of the Currents: Thomas Edison vs Nikola Tesla. diags. ISBN 978-0-7613-5487-1; ISBN 978-1-4677-0140-2. LC 2011045526.
ea vol: 64p. (Scientific Rivalries and Scandals Series). photos. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. websites. CIP. 21st Century Bks. Nov. 2012. PLB $33.27; ebook $24.95
Gr 8 Up–These books showcase major scientific developments and the brutal competition behind the scenes. They are highly engaging accounts of researchers resorting to cheap shots, spying, and double crossing to take credit for pivotal discoveries. But they are also disturbing documentation of how ego can trump the greater good, as in the battle between Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo over the discovery of the virus that causes AIDS. Proprietary arguments and fraud delayed progress in its identification, which undoubtedly came at the cost of lives. Written cleanly and fluidly, these titles let the drama and occasional absurdity of the players’ actions speak for themselves. Captioned photographs and diagrams correspond well to the texts, while sidebars contribute additional facts. In-depth time lines are the most noteworthy of the strong supplementary features. This fascinating set would be equally useful in history and science classrooms.

BANKSTON, John. Ancient India Maurya Empire. ISBN 978-1-61228-280-0; 978-1-61228-355-5. LC 2012009409.
BOONE, Mary. The Byzantine Empire. ISBN 978-1-61228-281-7; 978-1-61228-356-2. LC 2012015879.
DIPRIMIO, Pete. Ancient Sparta. ISBN 978-1-61228-276-3; 978-1-61228-351-7. LC 2012009410.
GAGNE, Tammy. The Celts of the British Isles. ISBN 978-1-61228-283-1; 978-1-61228-358-6. LC 2012009414.
GIBSON, Karen Bush. Ancient Babylon. ISBN 978-1-61228-281-7; 978-1-61228-356-2. LC 2012008636.
LEAVITT, Amie Jane. Ancient Athens. ISBN 978-1-61228-275-6; 978-1-61228-350-0. LC 2012008635.
ORR, Tamra. Ancient Egypt. ISBN 978-1-61228-279-4; 978-1-61228-354-8. LC 2012008638.
–––– . The Aztecs. ISBN 978-1-61228-284-8; 978-1-61228-359-3. LC 2012009411.
ROBERTS, Russell. Ancient China. ISBN 978-1-61228-277-0; 978-1-61228-352-4. LC 2012008637.
TRACY, Kathleen. Ancient Assyria. ISBN 978-1-61228-282-4; 978-1-61228-357-9. LC 2012015878.
ea vol: 48p. (Explore Ancient Worlds Series). map. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. websites. CIP. Mitchell Lane. 2012. PLB $29.95; ebook $29.95.
Gr 5-7–This mediocre series is marred by significant issues. Aztecs, Egypt, Sparta, and Babylon contain substantial fictionalization without explaining that the narratives exist only to illustrate different experiences within these civilizations. Given the target audience, such clarification is necessary. Celts focuses almost completely on the Celts across Europe instead of (as the title states) the British Isles. Much of Athens is written in second person, a style choice students are frequently told to avoid in their own writing. Many of the visual elements are grainy. Words defined in the glossaries are not bolded in the texts. Some information can be found in this set, but it’s buried beneath a lot of weak editorial decisions. Recipes and crafts or activities round out the back matter.

BANTING, Erinn. Galapagos Islands. diags. ISBN 978-1-61913-523-9; ISBN 978-1-61913-436-2. LC 2012010885.
–––– . Great Barrier Reef. diags. ISBN 978-1-61913-525-3; ISBN 978-1-61913-438-6. LC 2012010887.
BEKKERING, Annalise. Great Lakes. ISBN 978-1-61913-526-0; ISBN 978-1-61913-440-9. LC 2012011217.
LAPPI, Megan. Mount Everest. diags. ISBN 978-1-61913-527-7; ISBN 978-1-61913-439-3. LC 2012011218.
LOMBERG, Michelle. Grand Canyon. diags. ISBN 978-1-61913-524-6; ISBN 978-1-61913-437-9. LC 2012010886.
WATSON, Galadriel. Amazon Rain Forest. chart. diag. ISBN 978-1-61913-522-2; ISBN 978-1-61913-435-5. LC 2012010884.
ea vol: 32p. (Wonders of the World Series). maps. photos. reprods. chron. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Weigl. 2012. PLB $28.55; pap. $13.95.
Gr 4-7–This series is sure to infect readers with the travel bug. Clear photographs and interesting ancillary features share space with text that is cleanly and clearly written, creating a package that will appeal to browsers and assist report writers. The books take the audience on a tour of some of our planet’s most fascinating locales, and the topics covered includes the geography, biology, and some of the history of each place, as well as issues of environmental concern. Useful time lines bolster the back matter, but the books fall a bit short in their quizzes and hands-on activities, due to some insufficient and unclear instructions. A code is provided for a website featuring more information. Overall, this series will have broad interest and usefulness.

BARBER, Nicola. Medieval Medicine. map. ISBN 978-1-4109-4643-0; ISBN 978-1-4109-4649-2. LC 2011031906.
–––– . Renaissance Medicine. ISBN 978-1-4109-4644-7; ISBN 978-1-4109-4650-1. LC 2011031907.
LANGLEY, Andrew. Ancient Medicine. map. ISBN 978-1-4109-4642-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-4648-5. LC 2011031886.
OXLADE, Chris. Modern Medicine. ISBN 978-1-4109-4646-1; ISBN 978-1-4109-4652-2. LC 2011031909.
VICKERS, Rebecca. Industrial Age Medicine. ISBN 978-1-4109-4645-4; ISBN 978-1-4109-4651-5. LC 2011031908.
ea vol: 48p. (Medicine Through the Ages Series). diags. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Capstone/Raintree. 2012. PLB $33.99; pap. $8.99.
Gr 8 Up–These noteworthy volumes cover medicine’s progression from ancient times to the present day. They highlight theories, equipment, medications, procedures, diseases of particular concern, milestones, and more. They do not explore medicine in a vacuum, though, addressing the inextricable link between it and society at large. Unlike some series that fall into the limiting trap of cookie-cutter layouts and organization, these volumes only generally resemble one another and have abundant, fascinating material particular to their respective eras. The writing is straightforward and refrains from sensationalism, letting the torturous reality of early medicine speak for itself. The text is supplemented by interesting sidebars and informative photographs, maps, diagrams, and reproductions.

BINGHAM, Jane. Popular Culture: 1920-1939. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4109-4622-5; ISBN 978-1-4109-4629-4. LC 2011038434.
BURGAN, Michael. Popular Culture: 1960-1979. charts. ISBN 978-1-4109-4624-9; ISBN 978-1-4109-4631-7. LC 2011038611.
HUNT, Jilly. Popular Culture: 1900-1919. charts. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4109-4621-8; ISBN 978-1-4109-4628-7. LC 2011038399.
–––– . Popular Culture: 1980-1999. charts. ISBN 978-1-4109-4625-6; ISBN 978-1-4109-4632-4. LC 2011038633.
HUNTER, Nick. Popular Culture: 1940-1959. charts. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4109-4623-2; ISBN 978-1-4109-4630-0. LC 2011038609.
–––– . Popular Culture: 2000 and Beyond. charts. ISBN 978-1-4109-4626-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-4633-1. LC 2011038863.
ea vol: 64p. (A History of Popular Culture Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. notes. websites. CIP. Heinemann. 2012. PLB $35; pap. $9.99.
Gr 5-7–These books highlight the TV, movies, music, fashion, art, and major events of each decade of the 20th century. Unfortunately, they are dotted with pesky problems. Stilted, weak writing produces silly euphemisms (such as James Bond “found time to date many beautiful women”), and the set’s design is uninspired. “Yuppie” is wrongly defined as “young upwardly mobile professional”; the 3-D film craze is said to have passed quickly even though such movies continue to be blockbuster hits, and there are some unhelpful glossary entries. For example, in 1900-1919, the one for “honky-tonk” gives the same definition as the main text. Flaws such as these build a strong case for the unreliability of these retrospectives as report material. The well-selected photographs and reproductions and abundant back matter aren’t enough to bring them up to snuff.

COHN, Jessica. The Medieval Islamic World: Conflict and Conquest. map. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50030.
–––– . Muhammad: Prophet of Islam. map. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50047.
HOLLINGSWORTH, Tamara Leigh. Martin Luther: A Reforming Spirit. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50108.
–––– . The Reformation: A Religious Revolution. map. ISBN 978-1-4333-50092.
KULIGOWSKI, Stephanie. Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Artist and Inventor. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50085.
–––– . The Renaissance: A Rebirth of Culture. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50078.
MATTERN, Joanne. Geoffrey Chaucer: Medieval Writer. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50061.
–––– . Medieval Times: England in the Middle Ages. ISBN 978-1-4333-50054.
PHAN, Sandy. Cecil Rhodes: The Man Who Expanded an Empire. maps. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50160.
–––– . Imperialism: Expanding Empires. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50153.
RODGERS, Kelly. The Byzantine Empire: A Society That Shaped the World. maps. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50016.
–––– . Justinian I: Byzantine Emperor. map. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50023.
SCHWARTZ, Heather E. The French Revolution: Terror and Triumph. ISBN 978-1-4333-50115.
–––– . Marie Antoinette: Controversial Queen of France. ISBN 978-1-4333-50122.
SHERMAN, Patrice. The Enlightenment: A Revolution in Reason. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50139.
–––– . John Locke: Philosopher of the Enlightenment. photos. ISBN 978-1-4333-50146.
ea vol: 32p. (Primary Source Readers: World History Series). reprods. glossary. index. Teacher Created Materials dist. by Shell. 2012.pap.$8.99.
Gr 4-5–A great feature of this series is that the volumes are complementary to one another. For example, Medieval accompanies Chaucer. It’s an effective way of narrowing the focus and providing a specific experience connected to the era. Some information overlaps within each pairing, but since these are introductions, that’s not necessarily a flaw as it can reinforce some key points. Oversimplification and superficiality are a risk when covering a subject as broad as the Byzantine Empire or the Enlightenment for a younger audience, but the authors do an admirable job of achieving depth while maintaining accessibility. Reproductions, photos, and sidebars break up the texts without making them too busy. Each book concludes by revisiting a tidbit from the text and inviting readers to complete a creative and thought-provoking activity.

COLLINS, Terry. True Stories of World War II. illus. by Pat Kinsella. photos. ISBN 978-1-4296-8623-5; ISBN 978-1-4296-9346-2. LC 2011051833.
RAUM, Elizabeth. True Stories of the Revolutionary War. illus. by Pat Kinsella. ISBN 978-1-4296-8674-7; ISBN 978-1-4296-9342-4. LC 2012003965.
YOMTOV, Nel. True Stories of the Civil War. illus. by Carlo Molinari. ISBN 978-1-4296-8624-2; ISBN 978-1-4296-9340-0. LC 2012004276.
–––– . True Stories of World War I. illus. by Jon Proctor. ISBN 978-1-4296-8625-9; ISBN 978-1-4296-9344-8. LC 2011051832.
ea vol: 32p. (Graphic Library: Stories of War Series). map. chron. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Capstone. 2012. PLB $29.99; pap. $7.95.
Gr 4-6–The heavy dependence on fictionalized content or unattributed information in this collection of profiles begs the question as to why the individuals are mentioned at all when so much license was taken with their actual stories. Attracting reluctant readers to history via a graphic-novel format has merit, but fictionalization for effect is a risky bet, and it’s one these titles lose. A list of pages containing verified quotations is hidden at the front of three of the books; World War II contains no confirmed quotation notes. The illustrations vary from volume to volume, but are full of action and engaging. Despite a brief summary of the war, a time line, and a map as well as back matter, these books aren’t appropriate for reports, and even browsers, especially the less sophisticated ones, need a preface explaining the purpose fictionalization serves.

CRAATS, Rennay. Maasai. ISBN 978-1-61913-171-2; ISBN 978-1-61913-531-4. LC 2011051106.
MARSHALL, Diana. Aboriginal Australians. ISBN 978-1-61913-093-7; ISBN 978-1-61913-528-4. LC 2011050249.
STRUDWICK, Leslie. Inuit. ISBN 978-1-61913-092-0; ISBN 978-1-61913-530-7. LC 2011051109.
–––– . Maori. ISBN 978-1-61913-095-1; ISBN 978-1-61913-532-1. LC 2011051107.
WATSON, Galadriel. Bushmen of Southern Africa. ISBN 978-1-61913-094-4; ISBN 978-1-61913-529-1. LC 2011051105.
WEBSTER, Christine. Polynesians. ISBN 978-1-61913-172-9; ISBN 978-1-61913-533-8. LC 2011051104.
ea vol: 32p. (World Cultures Series). diag. map. photos. chron. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Weigl. 2012. PLB $28.55; pap. $13.95.
Gr 4-6–This series showcases a diverse array of peoples and places that should fascinate aspiring world travelers. The texts are informative, but are written in a way that sometimes obfuscate rather than inform, particularly when it comes to what traditions the profiled cultures still practice. The “Culture Cues” text boxes actually highlight geographical and biological information of the group’s native area. On the upside, each book includes a website where kids can enter a code and gain access to videos, quizzes, activities, and other materials that expand on the subjects.

GEORGE, Charles & Linda George. The Pyramids of Giza. diags. ISBN 978-1-60152-258-0. LC 2012000282.
KALLEN, Stuart A. Pharaohs of Egypt. ISBN 978-1-60152-256-6. LC 2012000360.
LACE, William W. King Tut’s Curse. ISBN 978-1-60152-250-4. LC 2011048987.
–––– . Mummification and Death Rituals of Ancient Egypt. diags. ISBN 978-1-60152-254-2. LC 2012011481.
WHITING, Jim. Life Along the Ancient Nile. ISBN 978-1-60152-252-8. LC 2012000358.
ea vol: 80p. (Ancient Egyptian Wonders Series). map. photos. reprods. chron. further reading. index. notes. websites. CIP. ReferencePoint. 2012. PLB $27.95.
Gr 8 Up–This series provides a wealth of information on the ancient Egyptians, focusing on the infamous curse of King Tut, the pyramids of Giza, pharaohs, mummification and burial rites, and daily life. Even though this is oft-covered ground, these books stand out for their abundant material and the appealing presentations. The content is extensive, but it is written in a conversational style that will pull in report writers and browsers alike. The main text is interspersed with fact boxes providing additional intriguing tidbits (“The Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza weighs an estimated 6 million tons.”), interesting photographs, and noteworthy artwork and reproductions. These are solid purchases, even for libraries with Egyptian collections of a good size.

SENKER, Cath. North Korea and South Korea. maps. ISBN 978-1-4488-6029-6; ISBN 978-1-4488-6072-2. LC 2012010617.
STEELE, Philip. Afghanistan: From War to Peace? maps. ISBN 978-1-4488-6030-2; ISBN 978-1-4488-6069-2. LC 2012010616.
–––– . Iran and the West. chart. map. ISBN 978-1-4488-6031-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-6070-8. LC 2012010613.
–––– . Sudan, Darfur and the Nomadic Conflicts. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-4488-6028-9; ISBN 978-1-4488-6068-5. LC 2012010639.
ea vol: 48p. (Our World Divided Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. websites. CIP. Rosen Central. 2012. PLB $29.25; ebook $29.25.
Gr 6-8–Each of these volumes begins with a recent news event pertaining to the featured conflict and then looks back at the origin and milestones of the discord. They aren’t just about history as it happened; they’re about history as it is happening now. “Viewpoints” sidebars are great supplementary features. They showcase quotations about a specific matter from individuals on opposing sides, giving students arguments to consider and prompts for class discussion and individual writing exercises. The material is detailed but clear and digestible, not an easy feat given the complexity of these clashes. The informative photos and “Case Study” and other sidebars strongly support the main text. These books effectively address global hot spots that will continue to be of great concern for the foreseeable future, serving as solid, relevant resources for students and teachers alike.

The top purchase is Twenty-First Century’s “Scientific Rivalries and Scandals”; it effectively blends drama, history, and science, creating excellent opportunities for cross-curricular instruction and study. ReferencePoint’s “Ancient Egyptian Wonders” is a stately (but not staid) series that will enrich any collection; it presents an incredible amount of information in an enjoyable style. Raintree’s “Medicine Through the Ages” is a solid set, providing an in-depth chronology and opening the door for discussions about the field. Rosen’s “Our World Divided” is an excellent purchase for its thoughtful, thorough examination of history as it is unfolding now. Weigl’s “Wonders of the World” is thrilling, and Capstone’s “Blazers: Pirates!” is just plain fun. Teacher Created Materials’s “Primary Source Readers: World History” stands out for its double dose of history in the form of broader volumes matched with pinpoint biographies. Weigl’s “World Cultures” and Mitchell Lane’s “Explore Ancient Worlds” are a considerable distance down the list as they contain decent amounts of information but suffer from the substandard presentations. Capstone’s “Graphic Library: Stories of War” and Heinemann’s “A History of Popular Culture,” which fail on multiple levels, are at the bottom of the pack.