Introductory information and a smart visual layout make this a solid purchase for the very young.
Engaging combination of nature and current technology.
A solid addition to STEM collections. These titles will appeal to fans of construction books.
Highly recommended for middle schoolers.
Thorough coverage of the topics and useful for research.
A useful purchase for lessons on photosynthesis, adaptations, and natural resources, as well as updating the botany section in general.
A secondary consideration for large computer science collections.
First-rate nonfiction for STEM-themed career collections.
Thoughtfully organized and well researched, all volumes are highly recommended.
Recommended for most collections.
Just right for beginning readers who love animals.
Not first purchases, but, if nothing else, consider Climate Change and Food Production and Planet Protection.
These titles may duplicate current holdings, but the series covers current knowledge and efforts that are planned for the future. Libraries looking to update or add depth to their collections will want to consider.
A kid-friendly introduction to STEAM topics, ideal for makerspaces.
A go-to purchase for young readers looking to delve into the key aspects of forensics and crime solving.
Nonessential; individual titles could work as fodder for browsing, with St. Petersburg and Vancouver faring best. Older students will find Ayo a childish device.
This enlightening series will motivate young scholars to pursue their dreams.
A winning choice for lovers of art history.
Engaging and challenging. A solid purchase for any library.
Though no sources are provided and back matter is thin, these titles will serve well for providing background for students.
With uses in the curriculum or for pleasure reading, this thought-provoking look at media takes a unique, academic focus and will benefit most collections.
An indispensable guide to the lives of great women. Purchase to enlighten middle school readers who hope to change the world.
Some flaws, but serviceable for subject needs.
An informative addition to most collections, especially where farming is uncommon.
Good additions for beginning readers.
Photos, illustrations, and facts combine nicely in this appealing package. A good choice for most collections.
A first purchase for middle and high school students.
An unnecessary addition for most collections.
As youth today encounter more and more vitriolic and uninformed discourse in their lives, this series is a timely reminder that civic awareness benefits all.
Even well-stocked libraries should consider adding these
A series that will challenge even seasoned readers, with Transgender Activists and Celebrities being the best title out of the bunch.
An excellent introductory series that could spark continued interest in computer programming, app development, and other code-based pursuits.
A good series for fact-hungry kids.
Well-researched and engagingly written, excellent resources for independent reading and focused inquiry.
Additional purchases as needed, but pay special attention to the high-interest natural disaster titles.
Will meet the needs of curricular units on community and larger libraries.
Generally engaging surveys for large nonfiction collections.
Though flawed, the text is a good resource for teaching the scientific method. Robust collections may want to consider.
A helpful series for lessons, science fairs, or STEM events at school, with potential for at-home use as well.
A fun and simple series to help little readers build confidence.
A solid purchase that is gentle yet extensively researched.
If one of your hometown teams is on this list, it's definitely worth the purchase. Otherwise, consider just the big teams: Red Sox, Cubs, Yankees, and Giants.
Most collections will want to skip.
Perfect to use in the classroom as examples of why math matters, but also visually appealing and an interesting read in general.
Get hands-on with Music, Simple Science, Goo, and Gross Science, but take a pass on Model Making and Motion.
Thorough and balanced, this eye-opening account of a timely topic is an essential purchase.
A thorough and engaging look at U.S. history with a civics angle. Medium to large collections will want to consider.
Informative and well illustrated, this is a solid pick for librarians updating their collections.
A helpful, though not very inclusive, look at career choices for high schoolers.
The conversational tone and broad range of structures and their locations make this set a fine introduction to these wonders. For report writers and browsers. The International Space Station and The World Trade Center have broadest appeal.
Although aimed at "reluctant" readers, this series has the potential to appeal to a broad audience. Robust collections may want to consider.
A winning combination of entertaining information and stunning visuals that will appeal to car buffs and those browsing the shelves.
A suitable, though not perfect, addition for school or public libraries.
Enticing visuals and a forward-thinking perspective make this series an excellent choice for library collections.
Notable for its breadth, this series would make a fine introduction to world nations.
An essential guide to navigating the challenges of puberty and life beyond.
An engaging introduction for younger readers. For more extensive information about the ways animals help humans, consider Enslow's "Animals at Work" (reviewed below) or Children's Press's excellent "Animal Helpers."
A great series to encourage critical thinking. Robust collections will want to consider.
Recommended for collections serving preschool and early elementary patrons.
Helpful tips, smart science, and lots of sugar! An excellent pick for cooking programs looking to incorporate science concepts.
Successful mix of narrative, facts, and photographs for young elementary schoolers.
Serviceable introductions to a perennially favorite topic. Consider for robust collections.
Where collections are in need of more options for reluctant nonfiction readers, these will fit the bill. Otherwise, pass.
Light reads with charm. A strong supplemental purchase.
Despite some shortcomings in sourcing, these are very good materials for research.
Though the titles may soon be superseded, they are serviceable additions to most collections.
Purchase as needed for early reader collections.
Solid introductory series for early elementary grades.
Students tasked with research projects will be grateful for this series. A solid option for upper elementary schoolers.
Readers will learn much about the food they love or yearn to sample. Maybe not a first purchase, but noteworthy for its expansive coverage and usefulness for history units.
If hunting-related collections are light, this series will beef it up.
Libraries need not purchase them all, but a few of these titles could round out early reader collections.
An easy introductory series for young readers interested in the world beyond our borders.
Highly recommended for middle schoolers.
Strong animal-oriented choices for kids just learning to read.
A top consideration, especially where students are asking for more STEM materials.
This is a series librarians will want to cherry-pick for big names and local interest.
The visual appeal of this series is undeniable, and with just enough facts provided it should engage young students.
Engaging, and conversational in tone, this series is good for report writers.
Highly recommended for middle and high schools, especially for reference and research.
Solid choices to fill gaps or add depth to a popular subject area.
A welcome addition to STEM shelves.
Aimed at mature students, adherents, and report writers.
Useful series with some titles that may fill subject gaps, Lyrebirds and Devil Rays in particular.
Recommended for independent reading, though less solid for research.
A fine series for report writers and browsers. Recommended for public and school libraries.
A solid choice for middle grade students.
Recommended for background reading for stronger readers and for active reading exercises, but questionable for formal research.
Strong visuals and age-appropriate text make this a first choice for younger readers.
Libraries that serve foodies may want to consider.
Not groundbreaking, but appealing enough to consider for school libraries.
A top addition for middle schoolers.
Recommended, but, due to occasional vagueness of detail and light treatment of the supernatural, better suited to independent reading than careful study.Middle to High School
A thorough coverage for intermediate grades, with excellent images.
A well-designed series that will appeal to students, parents, and educators. Libraries can't go wrong.
Though the set is less interactive than the name would suggest, it still could be a serviceable addition to most collections.
An attractive introductory series for little ones, with the exception of Los Kits.
Fresh, creative additions to the dinosaur shelves.
While not trying to be comprehensive, each title sensitively and honestly lays out the history, background, and recent events in its respective movement. Recommended.
Bound to be popular among gearheads in schools and public libraries.
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