Series Made Simple

Gr 2–4—This series covers a surprisingly large amount of ground in each title, introducing the topics at their most basic level and increasing the complexity of the information...

Gr 5–7—These short volumes show readers how to create seven to eight "inventions...

Gr 4—6—These volumes cover the basic moves as well as more detailed movements often seen on television programs such as So You Think You Can Dance...

Gr 8 Up—Each of these attractive, reference-style introductions begins with an overview and then looks more closely at the various facets of the subject, including controversial issues such as stem-cell research...

Gr 9 Up—Whether the subject matter is as broad as perspective or narrow, covering, for example, a specific artistic medium, this series provides the same thorough coverage...

K-Gr 2—The few sentences that appear on the first spread of each of these books tell children what they will need before they start drawing and assure them that if they can draw shapes, lines, numbers, and letters, they are ready for any of the drawings that follow...

Gr 3—5—Ancient cultures are always more approachable for young readers when viewed from the eyes of children...

Gr 5—8—Though these books provide more information about their subjects than the other celebrity biography series on this list (there is a discussion of each star's childhood, rise to fame, and accomplishments), the information is not always conveyed clearly, and can sometimes be too casual—a discussion of pop music in Miley Cyrus, for example, statesj , "…when it's hot, it's HOT!" Also, quotes from sources such as the Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal are used and there is a bibliography, but citations are not given...

Gr 5—8—Those who choose to mix epoxy instead of watercolors and feel more comfortable in a hardware store than an art store are the target audience for this series...