Reviews+

The "superpowers" that make alligators, salamanders, and poison dart frogs unique as well as more basic information are introduced using short sentences and eye-catching color photographs. The information amounts to a cursory glance, but the material is presented in an engaging manner and may inspire further research. An illustrated "superhero" for each animal and a quiz are appended. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Animal Superpowers titles: Alligator, Poison Dart Frogs, and Salamander.

For a series on the "fastest-developing" countries, these attractive volumes for report writers are already somewhat dated (not much is mentioned past 2013). Each book includes sections devoted to history, culture, political change, and economic development, as well as several double-page spotlights on major cities (Jakarta, Beijing, and Mumbai, respectively). Bright color photographs are plentiful and varied. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Emerging Nations titles: Indonesia, China, and India.

The intriguing questions remain (necessarily) unanswered in these slim books. Still, the paranormal-mystery topics are perennially popular, and the books' copious illustrations and photographs, accessible texts, and clear organization satisfy some requirements of report-writing...as long as no conclusions must be drawn. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Unexplained: What's the Evidence? titles: Are Crop Circles Real?, Is the Bermuda Triangle Real?, and Is the Loch Ness Monster Real?.

Facts about geology and geography are presented through numbers that measure them, including topics such as atmospheric temperatures and geographic distances; geologic time; the lengths of rivers and depths of the ocean; and the amounts of sand, water, and people on earth. Each crowded two-page spread is filled with colorful illustrations of the features and a few small photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

This competent series examines major events in world history with a focus on context and aftermath. Bodden deftly zooms in and out on the relevant historical and cultural details surrounding each event, creating a clear and extremely accessible account of complex topics. Well-chosen photographs, sidebars, and pull quotes complement the even-handed prose. Glossy, attractive page design adds further appeal. Bib., ind. Review covers these Odysseys in History titles: The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The Holocaust, and The 9/11 Terror Attacks.