Reference

Gr 6 Up–This edition retains most of the features found in Oxford Atlas of the World (2004), including beautiful aerial photographs of cities and landforms; a “World Geography” section filled with nicely presented maps, graphs, and charts illustrating geographic principles and providing information on urban areas around the world; and more than 250 pages of colorful and informative maps that combine physical and political features. The format of the “World Statistics” section has changed from a table to a map, and there are some new satellite images, map scales, and perspectives. Other additions to the deluxe edition include detailed maps of the oceans and ocean floors and 22 American and Canadian cities, and expanded coverage of the states and provinces of Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Basin, and the U.S. Unfortunately, the gazetteer and city map index, both quite helpful, have been dropped. While this attractive and informative resource is an excellent choice for libraries looking to expand their atlas collections, those that own the previous edition will find that the few extras here aren’t enough to warrant purchase.–Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 9 Up–This fine work presents discussions of events, places, people, and ideas from 1619 to Condolezza Rice’s appointment as Secretary of State in 2005. The alphabetically arranged essays average 1000 words each. There are almost 300 entries, but fewer than a dozen are original; most were culled and updated from Salem publications from the 1990s. However, having these essays in one set gives students strong and convenient research support. Each accessible entry concisely defines its subject, indicating relevant dates and places; a summary follows. Many entries include further-reading suggestions for a wide range of levels, and all have cross-references, which are necessary considering that topical coverage is usually comprised of multiple articles. Each volume has a complete list of the articles in the set. Volume three includes several indexes, an extensive bibliography arranged by subject, a time line, and a notable-figures section. The latter has one paragraph on each selected figure from across history and spheres of influence, including individuals who played prominent roles in African-American history, such as Abraham Lincoln. Unfortunately, there are few illustrations and even fewer maps, but for larger high school and public libraries this is a useful resource.–Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL

Gr 9 Up–Volume one opens with a discussion of the emergence of the novel in Britain and its importance as a representation of British society. Alphabetical entries discuss types, specific titles, literary terms, themes, societies, regions, historical events, people, and places. Works by English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish writers are included. In her preface, Brackett notes that she attempts “to link each entry to at least one other in the collection…to demonstrate their unquestionable dependence upon one another….” Many lesser-known works and authors not found in other volumes are included, as are quotes. Volume two includes 20th-century authors from the same countries, as well as some from British Commonwealth territories. Articles on Ruth Rendell, Zadie Smith, J. K. Rowling, and Philip Pullman attest to the variety and currency of this guide. Each volume also contains a glossary (with lengthy entries in volume two), a selected bibliography, and a comprehensive index. Volume two has a list of recipients of the Booker Prize, the Whitbread Award, the Guardian Fiction Prize, and other awards through 2003 or 2004.–Pat Bender, The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA

Gr 9 Up–A set comprised of volumes entitled Blues; Classical; Country; Folk; Jazz; Rhythm & Blues, Rap, and Hip-Hop; and Rock and Roll and a comprehensive index. The surprising inclusion of a volume on classical music is explained in the preface, which defines popular music as “any music that attracts a reasonably large audience.” This is also the likely explanation for the numerous British and Irish performers found in Folk. In addition to articles on musicians and instruments, entries on songs, organizations and publications, important recordings, record companies, performance venues, and social/political issues are included. Many of the profiles on individuals deal only with their careers during the height of their popularity and ignore or dismiss their later accomplishments; some are not up-to-date. Occasional entries (“Banjo, five-string,” “Mandolin”) appear in more than one volume with slight variations. Black-and-white portraits are found throughout the set. The index is particularly helpful. Each volume concludes with a series of appendixes: a chronology; an annotated list of selected recordings or recommended listening; a list of suggested DVDs and videos; a glossary; and more. This set will be useful as a starting point for research, but libraries owning H. Wiley Hitchcock and Stanley Sadie’s The New Grove Dictionary of American Music (Oxford Univ., 1986), Theodore Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians (Best Bks., 2001), or Colin Larkin’s The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Groves Dictionaries of Music, 1998) will not find it a necessary addition.–Ginny Gustin, Sonoma County Library System, Santa Rosa, CA

Gr 10 Up–Both volumes begin with an overview of the era, followed by alphabetical entries offering information on authors, works, places, events, and terminology. Most of the entries provide dates, additional names, and a bibliography; some also contain brief quotations from the works. Renaissance spans the years between 1500 and 1700 and covers works in many European and Asian languages as well as a few African languages. Individuals featured include Giovanni Boccaccio, John Bunyan, John Calvin, Nicolaus Copernicus, John Dryden, and Edmund Spenser. Medieval examines the period between Classical Antiquity and the Renaissance and provides information on Old English, Middle English, French, Provençal, Celtic, German, Old Norse, and Latin works under such headings as “Beowulf,” “Geoffrey Chaucer,” “Dante Alighieri,” “Sir Thomas Malory,” “Peasant’s Revolt of 1381,” and “troubadours.” Both volumes discuss the importance of religion, language, history, the origins of the works, oral traditions, the beginnings of printing, and other influences. Time lines, lists of writers by language, and selected bibliographies are found in both volumes. While these books cover the works most studied in advanced high school courses, they also include a wealth of information about the lesser-known literature.–Pat Bender, The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, PA

Gr 9 Up–More than 250 alphabetically arranged, signed articles cover a broad and thoughtful range of topics. In addition to the list of entries, volume one lists articles by theme and introduces the color-coded system used throughout the set. Entries include types of drugs, particular substances, and chemicals natural to the human body. A “key facts” panel in each article details the legal classification of the substance in the U.S., the UK, and by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB); the drug’s street names; form; effects; and dangers. There are also articles about abuse, addiction, treatment, organizations, the law, temperance and legalization movements, social services, class and drug use, the pharmaceutical industry, and the influence of drugs on art, literature, and music. The clear, well-written entries range in length from one to six pages and conclude with “see-also” references. Visually appealing, clear, color diagrams, photographs, text boxes, tables, and charts aid in understanding. The attractive layout will encourage browsing. Volume three concludes with an extensive bibliography, including selected fiction; lists of treatment centers; hotlines; annotated Web resources; a glossary with color diagrams; subject and comprehensive indexes; and more. A separate list of resources for younger readers includes books and Web sites. This encyclopedia includes more diagrams and is better organized than Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt’s Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco (Macmillan Reference USA, 2002), written for a slightly younger audience.–Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI

Gr 7 Up–More than 600 authoritative articles cover topics related to criminal justice. The clear and thoroughly informative essays vary in length from about a half page to several pages. The entries concentrate on American law and criminals but, unlike Carl Sifakis’s The Encyclopedia of American Crime (Facts On File, 2000), coverage is not limited to the U.S. Entries for “Canadian justice system,” “International law,” “Interpol,” “Mexican justice system,” and “World Court” provide a global perspective. Legal terms, types of crimes, crime detection and prevention organizations, and key U.S. Supreme Court decisions are clearly described. Articles generally begin with a simple definition and a note identifying the issues and their significance, and conclude with an annotated bibliography and “see-also” references. Numerous halftone photographs and maps appear throughout, and charts and boxed sidebars supply a wealth of additional material. Many of the sideboxes include film or television stills with explanations of how accurately they portray real criminals, criminal procedure, or legal principles. Entries for “Films and criminal justice,” “Television crime dramas,” “News,” and “Police reality shows” expand on the popular media’s views of crime and the law. Some coverage is given to corporate, government, and Internet crimes. The useful appendixes offer a massive amount of supplemental information, including crime trends (with charts) and summaries of famous American trials from 1634 to 2005. An inviting format, well-written articles, and lavish reference tools combine to make this an interesting and valuable resource.–Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY

Gr 10 Up–A chronological survey of Eastern and Western art beginning with Paleolithic times and continuing through the 20th century. Chapters focus on both cultures and movements. “Australian Art” and “South African Art” include information often not found in other texts. Female representation is poor. Mary Cassatt isn’t mentioned at all, and Frida Kahlo’s name only appears in a list of exhibition participants. Throughout the set, boxed and illustrated spreads offer information on a range of specific paintings, artifacts, artists, topics, or sites, e.g., “Engraved Gems and Classical Coins,” “The Tyi Wara Mask,” “Calligraphy in Islamic Art,” and “The Houses of Frank Lloyd Wright.” Each chapter ends with a brief bibliography. The layout is clean, with white space framing the illustrations and strict columns of text. Black-and-white photographs and full-color reproductions are abundant, often two to a page. There are many sharp photos and quality reproductions, but some reproductions are faded, or so small that detail is lost. A fairly extensive, illustrated glossary and a cumulative index are found in volume five. The index lists works by the artist’s name or location rather than title, which may frustrate some readers. While libraries owning other general surveys may not find this an essential purchase, it is a good source of information for advanced students.–Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL

Gr 9 Up–Packed into this steamer trunk of memories and mythologies is a fair amount of fine opinion and friendly introduction. Of the more than 900 alphabetically arranged articles found here, approximately one third deal with writers and movements prior to the 20th century. The rest cover 20th- and 21st-century poets and poetry movements. Profiles of individuals run from one to six pages and generally present a brief biographical sketch and critical assessment, peppered with a handful of quotes. The writing is hit or miss: occasionally strong and insightful, but just as often sentimental or slight. And yet, in this set’s favor will be readers’ serendipitous joy at stumbling onto articles such as the one praising the luminous, relatively unknown Vassar Miller as “one of the finest contemplative poets of the late twentieth century.” That a poet of such delicate work and such little fame has a place in this encyclopedia salvages this resource. While Greenwood is not as challenging and rewarding as the “Scribner Writers” series, or as concise as James D. Hart’s The Oxford Companion to American Literature (1995), and libraries that have access to Gale’s Literature Resource Center (www.gale.com/LitRC) might not need it, the set does have its rewards and sparks–one can readily imagine Walt Whitman joyously thumbing through its pages.–Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX

Gr 9 Up–This alphabetically arranged compendium of approximately 800 entries of varying length offers definitions, explanations, and descriptions of aspects of Jewish life, from the birth of the religion to the present day. There are also brief biographies of historically significant persons who happen to be Jewish, as well as discussions of the Jewish presence in a number of countries, including the Arab nations of Iran, Iraq, and Egypt. Thoroughly cross-referenced and indexed, the entries are clearly and simply written and carefully neutral. Practices observed and beliefs held by the different branches of Judaism are explained matter-of-factly, even when the topic is potentially controversial. Articles pertaining to Arabs, Palestinians, and events, such as the Intifada, are equally unbiased in tone. Each entry is followed by suggestions for further reading. The black-and-white photographs are sparse, and the selection somewhat random. While libraries owning Geoffrey Wigoder’s The Student’s Encyclopedia of Judaism (New York Univ., 2004) can pass, this is a solid addition that collections with healthy budgets will want to consider.–Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 9 Up–An exploration of the breadth of ethnic literature in the U.S. The set contains more than 1100 signed alphabetical entries, with over 1000 of them focusing on individual authors. In addition to these well-written profiles, the work also contains articles on specific topics (“Caribbean American Novel,” “Native American Poetry,” “Japanese American Autobiography”) and on key works (Toni Morrison’s Beloved, Piri Thomas’s Down These Mean Streets, and Bharati Mukherjee’s Jasmine). Numerous ethnic groups are represented–writers whose heritage is Amish, Jewish, Italian, and Asian among others. There are surprises, too–such as the articles about Ellis Island, its western counterpart Angel Island, and Wounded Knee. Cross-references are easy to spot, and each entry contains a “Further Reading” note. Black-and-white portraits accompany many of the essays. The scope of the biographical entries is incredible–from the prolific to the obscure, from Dr. Seuss to M*A*S*H creator Larry Gelbart. The extensive index is excellent, and the introduction is thought-provoking. Although many of these authors are included in other reference works on specific ethnic groups, this one is valuable because it is cross-cultural.–Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN

Gr 9 Up–Don’t bother to ask if Latino literature actually exists (as opposed to Brazilian, Chilean, or Mexican literature), just get this set and put it on your reference shelf. Covering 122 writers of all genres, these volumes offer information on individuals who might be hard to locate otherwise. “Latino” is defined here as any writer living in the Americas who speaks or descends from parents who speak a romance “(hence 'Latin’)” language. That’s a fairly broad qualifier, including authors as diverse as Gary Soto and Gabriel García Márquez. The majority of the people covered are 20th-century writers; however, the editors have included about a dozen authors from the 19th century and three representing earlier centuries (historical representation is not this set’s forte). As an introduction, Notable is quite satisfactory. The clear, easy-to-read biographical profiles (three to seven pages each with large, black-and-white portraits of many of the subjects, and extensive bibliographies) give a sense of the writers’ lives, their importance as literary figures, and sometimes samples of their work. Each entry includes a “What to Read” box that recommends and discusses a particular work. Volume three ends with seven essays on Latino writers and their genres: drama, fiction, poetry, etc. The appendix lists additional figures by country, electronic resources, and more. Libraries owning Gary F. Sole’s Latin American Writers (Scribner, 1989) or Linda Metzger and Alan Ryan’s Hispanic Writers (Gale, 1999) may not need this set, but for others looking to fill an empty spot in their collections, this should do nicely.–Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX

Gr 9 Up–Cuisine and history go hand in hand here. Bountiful food led, in part, to the successful beginning and growth of a new nation. As Oliver so deftly shows, America grew up as a fast-food nation. Indeed, by the early 1800s, Americans had a desire, “…for convenience and speed in food preparation, and an inclination to eat hastily.” A beginning chronology takes readers from 1567 with the settlement by the Spanish in Florida, to 1825 when wheat from the West was available, through the Erie Canal, to the East. An extensive introduction follows, explaining the different trials and tribulations of Spanish, English, and Dutch settlers, as well as those of Native Americans of the period. Lengthy chapters cover “Foodstuffs” (with alphabetical entries under headings such as fruits, beverages, etc.), “Food Preparation,” “Eating Habits,” and “Concepts of Diet and Nutrition.” Extensive notes follow each chapter, and the book concludes with a brief glossary and ample bibliography. At times dry, the text is still readable. Black-and-white photographs of period buildings, kitchens, cooking utensils, etc., make an occasional appearance. A few recipes (ochra soup, hoppin’ John) are included, in their original form. This offering is perfect for students who need information on this aspect of our history.–Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

Gr 9 Up–Covering 300 years of America’s literary ground in so few pages is no simple task but this set manages to outline the nation’s major movements and figures. Arranged chronologically, each volume focuses on the development of literature in relationship to the politics, economics, and social and religious trends. In Colonialism (Beginnings-1800), Puritanism is shown to have shaped the thoughts of Benjamin Franklin, Cotton Mather, and Edward Taylor. The Salem Witch Trials, Adam Smith’s economic theories, and the Iroquois Constitution are also discussed. Romanticism (1800-1860) portrays Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper as optimists about their expansive new nation. Discussion of their work is followed by an examination of the writings of social reformists Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman. Female writers such as Margaret Fuller, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Emily Dickinson are also profiled. Realism (1860-1910) explores slave narratives, Civil War literature, Edith Wharton, Henry James, and Willa Cather, and contains a lengthy section on Mark Twain and analysis of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Modernism (1910-1945) devotes a chapter to the Harlem Renaissance, dramatist Eugene O’Neill, “lost generation” writers such as Ernest Hemingway, and modernists such as John Dos Passos and William Faulkner. Contemporary (1945-present) covers McCarthyism, the Beat writers, Civil Rights, new ethnic voices, and postmodern writers. The italic font of the sidebars may challenge some eyes. Although the set does not provide in-depth analysis, it offers a solid overview of America’s literary development. Average-quality, black-and white photographs are found throughout.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 9 Up–This expanded edition of Christos J. P. Moschovitis’s History of the Internet (ABC-CLIO, 1999) contains revised and updated biographical profiles, essays on issues and controversies involving today’s Internet, and a chronology, in separate volumes. The biographical entries cover cyber pioneers and technical innovators, hackers, science-fiction writers, and online businesspeople. Each one focuses on the person’s role in the development of the Internet, with brief personal accounts, which may not be sufficient for students writing extensive reports. Volume two, Issues, is the most useful of the three. The essays include the background, a brief history, trends, and controversies and responses to the topics being examined, which range from “Activism and the Internet” and “Cookies” to “Open Source” and “Privacy.” Technical terms are well defined, and many entries offer tables, statistics, and/or supporting documents. The final volume details the chronology of the Internet with lengthy entries by year, beginning in 1843 with Ada Lovelace’s account of Charles Babbage’s design for a programmable computing machine and ending in 2004 with the Internet’s role in the U.S. presidential campaign. Sidebars discuss the historical, biographical, and cultural and ethical aspects of events, providing additional context. The black-and-white illustrations are sparse and generally uninformative. This well-organized and clearly written work is an excellent resource to begin research on the topic, but buyers beware: due to the nature of the topic, the set will need frequent updating.–Jane Cronkhite, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH

Gr 9 Up–This excellent resource offers historical, legal, and biographical entries related to the subject. Students will learn which Bible verses are most quoted in arguments for and against the death penalty; read about “Monsieur New York,” one of history’s most skilled hangmen; and find out about the role of DNA analysis in exoneration, among other topics. Each state entry describes its past and present policy on capital punishment. Statistics are included within entries, and some charts and graphs are provided. In some cases these detail figures through 2005; in other cases, they are likely to send students to more up-to-date resources. Average-quality, black-and-white photographs and reproductions are found throughout the volume. A useful resource that can be used in conjunction with titles in the “Opposing Viewpoints” series (Gale).–Cass Kvenild, University of Wyoming, Laramie

Gr 9 Up–These comprehensive encyclopedias have much in common. Both open with the same four essays discussing the origins, outbreak, overview, and legacy of the war. They are followed by alphabetical entries on virtually every aspect of the conflict, including battles, people, military equipment and strategies, and social and political changes associated with it. The readable articles range from a few paragraphs to several pages. While the entry texts are identical in both resources, there are 300 fewer (for a total of 900) in the Student version, which omits some lesser-known figures, events, and battles. Nine topics that still entertain controversy are examined in separate, boxed essays within related entries. The most significant difference between the sets is in the volumes on documents. Encyclopedia contains chronologically arranged, mostly official documents (treaties, diplomatic dispatches, and laws) that generally open with single-paragraph introductions. Student Encyclopedia includes a few of these documents, along with primary-source excerpts from letters, diaries, memoirs, and speeches, arranged thematically. The introductions are longer, and conclusions, providing context and analysis, will help users gain a better understanding of the human costs of the conflict. Both sets contain more than 30 clearly marked, black-and-white line maps. Many of them are found within entries along with average-quality black-and-white photos. Layouts also vary. Student has a larger font, wider margins, and some additional photos. This difference, along with the accessible documents, will make it the preferred choice for most high schools.–Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO