Reference Review

Gr 5–8—Complementing the broader but more simply written Wildlife and Plants of the World (Marshall Cavendish, 1998), this set offers researchers close looks at 84 types of living things, from viruses and giant centipedes to humans and gray whales. The emphasis is on physical structures and systems. Each entry opens with a discussion of its subject's taxonomy and goes on to examine external anatomy and then, separately, each major internal system. In addition, 10 longer general articles on systems or cell biology are embedded in the alphabetically arranged contents. The final volume cumulates the individual volume indexes, adding six specialized indexes along with lists of further resources, plus short overview articles on the taxonomic groupings and the history of anatomical study. Along with frequent side boxes, including some dubbed "Connections" that have inter-volume cross-references, each entry is well-stocked with both sharply reproduced color photos and labeled, accurately detailed art. Though the coverage isn't exactly evenhanded, with just 10 articles devoted to plants or fungi and 30 to mammals alone, this set makes a useful choice for collections supporting strong science curricula as a more focused alternative to the 24-volume International Wildlife Encyclopedia (Marshall Cavendish, 2002).—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 8 Up—At once entertaining and fact-packed, this enticing set presents a wealth of information on a critically important region. It covers Turkey, Pakistan, and the states of the Russian Federation and the Arabian Peninsula. Oddly, the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory, both in southern Asia, are also included. After a general introduction and reader's guide orient users, alphabetically arranged articles address the history, economy, language, religion, lifestyle, food and drink, health, education, arts, politics, and culture of the region's countries. Other topics are included as appropriate, such as "Rugs and Carpets" in "Azerbaijan." Article lengths vary: Iran and Iraq share an entire volume, whereas the Maldives are covered in four pages. Forthright statements, for example, on former U.S. support of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, reflect scholarly objectivity. Abundant, recent color photos; time lines; boxes with data or interesting sidelights; pronunciation help; color relief maps; and a large, clear typeface are engaging features. Each book includes the same glossary; biographical, geographical, and comprehensive indexes; pronunciations; National Days lists, by country and date; and multiple indexes by country. This accessible, accurate, and attractive set could inspire future ethnographers, diplomats, and world citizens.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Gr 10 Up—These 400 alphabetically arranged articles provide detailed accounts of how Western maritime empires and their customs and values spread to all corners of the globe, ultimately shaping the development of non-European societies. Each one presents not only facts, but also interpretations of the impact of European colonialism and is well supported by charts, tables, maps, and black-and-white illustrations. The entries make extensive use of primary-source material and contain both see-also references and bibliographies. A glossary of key terms is appended, as is a collection of historical documents that are directly linked to Western colonial expansion and policies. The text flows easily and information retrieval is facilitated by the effective use of subtitles in many of the entries and the variety of access points in the index. A wide range of topics, such as the Boxer Uprising, censorship, diamonds, and Vasco da Gama, provides a comprehensive treatment of the subject. Falling neatly between general and scholarly reference, this set would be a fine addition.—Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Gr 6 Up—Students will find a goldmine of basic reference information in these attractive, up-to-date volumes. Following an introduction with clear general-health guidelines and instructions on how to use the encyclopedia, diseases are presented alphabetically. Articles boast consistent internal organization and excellent visuals and explanations. The set emphasizes the diseases of young people, "from acne to warts" and a wide range in between. Layouts feature a visually inviting outside column devoted to titles, photos, and insets; a listing of the disease type (infectious, genetic, etc.); see-also references, and relevant Internet sites. The entries are divided by subheadings: cause, incidence, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, stages and progress, and prevention. Warnings and emergency information are printed in brick-red text that contrasts effectively with the black type and blue headings. The material is accurate and easy to understand, and scientific terms are explained clearly. Each volume has a set index. The only noticeable drawback in this thorough and accessible resource is the unavoidable dating of medical information—this is the third edition in 10 years. A great selection.—Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA

Gr 9 Up—It is easy for students to argue historical events in hindsight, but this set, a revision of the 1996 edition, will provide them with primary sources from those who debated landmark issues of their time. Topics range chronologically from "Origins of English Settlement" to "National Security, Terrorism, and Iraq." Essays, speeches, and letters by such notables as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Malcolm X, and Bill Clinton provide historical context for the debates. Articles are clustered under prefaced general categories, such as "The Gilded Age," "Antebellum America," and "New Challenges after the Cold War." "The Progressive Era" includes debates about Jim Crow, child labor, and women's right to vote. Each viewpoint has an editorial introduction that highlights the author's concerns and poses two or three questions that students might ask themselves as they read the selections. For instance, in Horace Greeley's verbose open letter to Abraham Lincoln about slavery, readers are prompted to look for Greeley's descriptions of the treatment of slaves behind Union lines. A further-reading section and, occasionally, a Web site follow each viewpoint. Each volume has a separate index. New to this edition are discussions of the most recent presidential challenges, such as terrorism, nuclear weapons, health care, and separation of church and state. An increase in the book's size and a font change are a nice facelift for this reference.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 9 Up—Ellwood's wide-ranging, accessible, alphabetically arranged volume includes historical, comparative, and theoretical entries, many covering societal aspects of religion. The further-reading list has been updated, and there are new entries on fundamentalisms, al-Qaeda, Hamas, religion and politics, and more. The inadequate number of illustrations is a weakness, as are the lack of entries on Wahhabism or Falun Gong (though the latter is mentioned briefly in "religions of China"); an outdated statistic on Zoroastrians; and the absurd claim that Roman Catholic statues are "worshipped with adoration." Jones's multivolume set also has many strong points, including pronunciation help, clear expression, informative sidebars, research and activities ideas, and discussion questions. However, its arrangement is confusing, and there is some repetition. Coverage includes 18 major and minor religions and philosophies. Religious influence is presented as entirely positive. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and other notables are not among those profiled. The index lacks entries for Mithras, Falun Gong, the Unification Church, and more. The black-and-white photos are undated, and some primary sources are poorly translated. Among the relatively few errors are conflicting dates for Genesis. Neither of these sets illuminates the current religious climate in any given country. Though Ellwood's work is exceptional in parts, John Bowker's The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1997; o.p.) and the Macmillan Dictionary of Religion (1994) have many more entries, and Bowker's World Religions (DK, 2006) and Elizabeth Breuilly's Religions of the World (Facts On File, 1997) are more visually appealing.—Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI

Gr 9 Up—Every high school offering career guidance should have this valuable resource. It provides extremely thorough and understandable information about 114 alphabetically arranged technician-level jobs that require intensive training, but not a bachelor's or master's degree. Each chapter describes one career and begins with a thumbnail overview, followed by a personalized introduction to a person who holds that position. This is followed by information on the main tasks and the personal skills and talents necessary for success in the field. Practical sections then list the steps to obtaining this type of position, job opportunities, advancement prospects, pay, and overall outlook for the job. Within each chapter, areas of particular interest, helpful professional jargon, and "FYI" quick facts are presented in sidebars and insets. Finally, contact information is supplied for relevant professional organizations. The two-columns-per-page format, with occasional black-and-white photos of technicians at work, is punctuated with enough shaded and "In-depth" segments to maintain visual interest, yet the overall impression created by the work is one of professionalism. This rich reference will clarify and expand on the information provided in classes and on the Internet.—Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA

Gr 9 Up—Excellent resources covering the causes, course, and consequences of the war. In both sets, introductory essays serve as useful overviews, providing background history and information on the military operations conducted during the war and significant figures. Arrangement is alphabetical, and the detailed entries conclude with see-also references and a list of works consulted. There are more than 800 articles in the student edition (approximately 200 fewer than in Encyclopedia), covering events, people, places, battles, and such topics as art, atrocities, loyalists, propaganda, and smallpox. Lesser-known figures and events found in Encyclopedia are not included in Student Encyclopedia. Entries that appear in both sets are often identical in text. Student has a one-column format; the wide margins contain entry headings and highlighted text quotes. Encyclopedia features two columns of somewhat denser text per page. Numerous, average-quality black-and-white reproductions are found throughout both resources, and clear maps highlighting marches, battles, and other important actions, and a few charts. Both encyclopedias conclude with a chronology, a glossary of military terminology, a complete bibliography, and useful primary sources ranging from Cato's Letters (1721) to the text of the Alien and Sedition Acts (1798). Student includes notes on how to read maps, primary sources, and charts and graphs. The comprehensive nature of these sets makes them ideal references as they are much more detailed than Richard L. Blanco's The American Revolution, 1775–1783: An Encyclopedia (Garland, 1993) and Peter D. G. Thomas's American Revolution books (Oxford Univ.). While public libraries may opt for the Encyclopedia, the natural choice for schools would be Student.—Michelle Barsom, Bainbridge College, GA

Gr 6–9—These new editions of two reference stalwarts trail those published in, respectively, 2004 and 2002. Along with minor updates in statistical and historical content— through spring 2006 for Worldmark, and through March 2005 (with some later notes) for Nations and Cultures— the two have undergone major changes in scope. Worldmark retains its original arrangement, devoting each volume to a continent or group of continents, plus one for the U.N., but has dropped its sixth volume, "World Leaders," completely. Reflecting enhanced coverage of each country's arts, customs, and lifestyles, the Facts On File product has added the words "and cultures" to its former title, and added several topical subsections to each of the alphabetically arranged profiles, from "Human Rights" and "Flora and Fauna" to "Etiquette" and "Personal Appearance." Comments in the more subjective categories are mostly positive or at least neutral. Individual country entries in both encyclopedias are roughly similar-opening with a fact summary and simple, easily reproducible black-and-white map, closing with a resource list, and in between summarizing physical, cultural, and historical highlights in consistent, clearly labeled sections. Worldmark's level of detail tends to be higher than that in Nations and Cultures, though the latter has livelier writing. Unlike Worldmark, however, Nations and Cultures offers a comprehensive subject index. For libraries lacking equivalent online resources or previous versions of these titles, consider the Worldmark to support country assignments, and Nations and Cultures for broader reference. There isn't enough new material here, however, to justify purchasing them as replacements.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—Drawing on authoritative, international contributors, information on film is extensively documented in this set, which is intended as a film-studies staple. The alphabetically arranged volumes are titled as follows: "Academy Awards—Crime Films"; "Criticism—Ideology"; "Independent Film—Road Movies"; and "Romantic Comedy—Yugoslavia." Subtopics include countries, history, philosophies, and more, with information on individual movies often spread over several entries. Articles range from as few as 5 pages ("Slapstick comedy") to 17 pages ("Italy"). Contemporary topics, such as "Gay, lesbian and queer cinema," are included along with more-expected entries on "Teen films" and "Cinematography." See-also references guide readers to one or more related topics or subtopics, while further-reading suggestions provided after every entry list academic and popular articles and books. The more than 16,000 index entries, with major topics in bold type, make access straightforward. The text is highlighted with photographs varying in size, color, and clarity, along with brief biographies on related figures. While there is a plethora of good publications on film, such as Ephraim Katz's single-volume The Film Encyclopedia (HarperCollins, 2005) and his The Macmillan International Film Encyclopedia (2001), this set is more comprehensive and current. Public libraries and secondary schools, especially those with a focus on filmmaking, should plan to include it in their collections.—Tina Hudak, St. Albans School for Boys, Washington, DC

Gr 10 Up—This work organizes folktales by region rather than by ethnicity or cultural group, and then by theme. The section of volume 1 covering the Midwest, for example, includes stories from the Ojibway and Omaha, a personal narrative from the boxer Davey Day, an anecdote from a Chicago cab driver (the last two from Federal Writers' Project collections of 1939), and a story of a pioneer headed for western Kansas in 1866. The stories illustrate how a region shapes its peoples' attitudes. Entry notes list the source, date, and national origin. Also provided, where applicable, is information on which motif the tale adheres to and its number in standard folktale classifications. For example, some tales are variants of the "Beauty and the Beast" story, AT425C. The "Cyberspace" section is an unusual feature. This collection of notable e-mail and early Web hoaxes, tall tales, and other stories involving American companies and people demonstrates how the Internet has allowed Americans to continue storytelling in a new forum. While far from a complete survey of the nation's folktales, American Folktales presents a new way of looking at them. High schools serving students doing advanced research will want to consider this collection.—Walter Minkel, New York Public Library

Gr 9 Up—This user-friendly, comprehensive, and informative resource traces the history of Western magic and alchemy, from their origins in ancient Egypt to the 20th century. It emphasizes rituals, materials, literature, practitioners, and the presence of magic as an undercurrent in everyday life. Alphabetically arranged, absorbing entries cover a plethora of subjects such as curses, divination, Tarot, kabbalah, Harry Potter (complete with a glossary of Potter magic), Grigori Rasputin, J. R. R. Tolkien, and sorcery and witchcraft. A well-assembled series of instructive black-and-white photos and illustrations enhance the usefulness of this work. A thorough bibliography and accurate index are appended.—Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, formerly at New York Public Library

Gr 6 Up—This comprehensive set features more than 750 clearly written biographical entries of one or two pages each, covering figures who were born in, or immigrated to, the United States. Historical figures date as far back as Ponce de León, but nearly all of those profiled achieved prominence within the past century. Coverage is broad, ranging from popular entertainers and athletes to business leaders and politicians. Each article starts with a brief summary of the subject's importance, then proceeds chronologically. There is enough information to provide a strong sense of the person's place in history, without giving an overwhelming parade of facts. Key dates are highlighted in an inset, and most two-page entries include further background in an "Influences and Inspiration" box. Nearly all of the profiles include a photograph or painting of the subject, and the majority of them are full color. The viewpoint is balanced, with negative aspects, such as Rafael Palmeiro's steroids controversy, included alongside notable achievements. Several multipage topical entries such as "Civil Rights" and "Bilingualism" provide historical context and current developments. Each volume ends with a set index, though subject access points are limited. There is no easy way for users to identify all musicians or explorers, for instance. Most readers will find the set easy to use, though, and the format, reading level, and broad coverage are right on target for middle and high school students.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 8 Up—Since the first edition of this book was published in 1998, technology for geological fieldwork has improved immensely. The coverage of these innovations, in a new chapter called "Monitoring Earth," is this book's best feature. It provides useful overviews, at a level of detail and in a vocabulary that is perfect for the audience, of concepts such as satellite laser ranging, which is used to measure the movement of continents, and the use of satellites in mapping the ozone layer. The rest of the book discusses the planet's formation; plate tectonics; methods of rock creation; how the sea, ice, and wind change the landscape; deciphering Earth's history from fossils and other rocks; exploitation of rocks and minerals, and, in another updated section, provides lists of prominent geologists and relevant institutions. The presentation in these chapters is overly succinct for such complex information, resulting in difficult reading (with no glossary) and loss of important detail. In one chapter, a 543-million-year-period is shoehorned into 30 pages. The illustrations are particularly disappointing. It is standard practice to show geological processes in simple line diagrams. These are provided, and are useful, as far as they go. But the few photographs mean that students have little opportunity to see the features produced by the forces that are so ably diagrammed. Apart from the information on new technologies, students would do better with Timothy M. Kusky's Encyclopedia of Earth Science (Facts On File, 2005).—Henrietta Thornton-Verma, School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—This title provides a critical overview of works by six authors. Following a concise introduction, one seminal novel each by Joseph Conrad (Heart of Darkness), E. M. Forster (Howards End), James Joyce (A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man), D. H. Lawrence (Women in Love), and Virginia Woolf (Mrs. Dalloway) as well as two poems by T. S. Eliot ("The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and "The Waste Land") are discussed. Each chapter includes biographical context, plot summary, character development, symbols and motifs, narrative style, and historical context. This nearly uniform approach facilitates easy use for beginning researchers. Themes articulated in the introduction are successfully woven throughout to provide a clear picture of the ties between the authors, their works, and this period of social upheaval at the turn of the 20th century. This title is not exhaustive or unique; much of the information can be found in other reference sources. Still, it provides accessible criticism for any library in need of titles on this period, or on the works discussed within.—Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT

Gr 9 Up—This thorough set is particularly useful for those who have no background knowledge of the Crusades. Each volume includes lists of contributors, black-and-white maps, and abbreviations for the entire work. The 1000 signed essays, some of which include see-also references, are arranged alphabetically, with headings in bold. They include information on the major Crusades of the 11th to 14th centuries, and the people, places, concepts, and institutions involved. Entries are a half page to several pages in length. A brief bibliography follows each one, and a general bibliography categorizes resources at the end of each volume ("Atlases," "Reference Works," "The Crusades: General Histories"). Though 54 maps are insufficient for this work, its great attention to detail and wealth of information make it preferable to such titles as Alfred J. Andrea's concise Encyclopedia of the Crusades (Greenwood, 2003).—Michelle Barsom, Bainbridge College, GA

Gr 9 Up—This well-written, objective set covers a broad range of topics, including politics, the arts, religion, and science and technology. Great Events includes 667 essays, 307 of which are drawn from other Salem publications such as Great Events from History II (Salem, 1993). Great Lives covers 737 men and women from all parts of the world; 617 of them were included in the Dictionary of World Biography (Salem, 1999). Both works' signed articles run from three to five pages each, and they share similar formats, with subheadings such as "Summary of Event" and "Life's Work" facilitating use. All of the entries conclude with a segment that analyzes the importance of the person or event. The volumes include sidebars, excerpts from primary sources, and maps, and many essays include period black-and-white portraits, political cartoons, and periodical reproductions. The books are extensively indexed. Students will find the well-annotated further-reading list following each entry particularly helpful, and all entries are cross-referenced to the other set, a strength that will encourage further investigations.—Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Gr 10 Up—Wide-ranging alphabetical entries, many of which have source notes, cover characters, settings, and the people and places that influenced Steinbeck's life and work. Commentary on the author's nonfiction writing makes up about half of the entries. Information on both the print and film versions of various titles adds a dimension and reminds readers how Steinbeck's universal themes easily translate into other mediums. Further-reading lists for many of the entries are useful. Unfortunately, the literary analysis is somewhat buried in the entries, and very little is critical of Steinbeck or his work. Also, overarching ideas in his fiction are not truly addressed. In fact, in the "Topical List of Entries," only seven concepts are listed, which is a distressingly low number for students seeking theme-based information. Overall, though, the editors have supplied a well-researched study of the writer's art and the people and places that shaped it. This will be a quality addition to collections with other sources of literary criticism, and a good start for those without.—Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA

Gr 9 Up—This wide-ranging work covers topics from adaptation and extinction to genetics and the origin of the universe. The introduction discusses the medical evidence for evolution, such as the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria; the origins, politics, motives, and theories behind creationism and intelligent design; and the basics of evolutionary theories. The more than 200 articles are alphabetically arranged, and most range from one to three pages in length. They include biographies of significant contributors to this important and controversial field. In addition, several longer essays scattered throughout the work discuss topics such as the role of genes in human behavior, religion and evolutionary scientists, the biological basis of death, and the question of other life in the universe. Difficult terms and concepts are defined in context. Both the essays and the general articles include lengthy further-reading lists consisting of print materials and Web sites. An appendix summarizes Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, which the author points out is a much-discussed but seldom-read work. Unremarkable black-and-white photographs and charts and illustrations relate directly to the text but do not contribute significantly to the work. An excellent addition.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY

Gr 5 Up—The latest edition of this perennial reference staple retains its familiar format while revising some content and map style. Alphabetically arranged articles on 193 independent countries feature a general overview, a map, and a colorful fact box on a full spread. For smaller nations, these two pages suffice, but most country entries contain more pages with additional sections on people, environment, early and modern history, economy, festivals, the arts, or special features. For example, information on Egypt's agriculture features graphics of an early irrigation system, and "Switzerland" contains a section on the "Meeting Place of Nations" in Geneva. Some countries, such as the United States and Germany, have pages on regional state groupings and others may have articles on geographic features such as Greece's Aegean Islands. Revisions include an article title change from "East European Gypsies" to "East European Roma" and additional paragraphs mentioning the drought in Eritrea, Hurricane Ivan's effect on Grenada, and flash floods in the Dominican Republic. New font and colors brighten up the fact boxes and make the maps' topography stand out. A complete index appears in the last volume, along with a list of Web sites about each nation. This visually appealing resource is suitable for middle and high school reference collections.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 6 Up—Along with a number of smaller changes, this revised edition of Slavery in America: From Colonial Times to the Civil War (2000) extends the original's scope to encompass Reconstruction, up to 1877. As before, the chapters are topical, ranging from "The West Coast of Africa: 1441–1866" to "The Argument over Slavery: 1637-1877." Each chapter opens with a lucid historical overview, followed by a detailed time line, and then by dozens of long, cogent—frequently horrifying—passages of contemporary "Eyewitness Testimony" drawn from memoirs, newspaper reports, court records, and other (specified) sources. This wealth of documentary and primary-source material continues in four appendixes filled with maps, tables, not-so-brief biographies, and extracts from official publications, all capped by a comprehensive index. Despite an unwieldy bibliography and a thin scattering of average-quality illustrations, this invaluable volume belongs in every academically oriented reference collection, easily surpassing such less comprehensive works as Thomas Streissguth's Slavery (Gale, 2001) not only in range and depth of coverage, but also in its power to deepen both casual and serious students' understanding of this definitive American experience.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up—This informative, well-researched volume skillfully covers the history of this formidable force from the beginnings of the Roman Empire in the eighth century B.C.E. until its fall in the late fifth century A.D. The broad spectrum of subjects, such as the history, culture, and organization of the army; weapons; morale and discipline; renowned soldiers and battles; and the army, both in peacetime and at war, are arranged thematically. Black-and-white photographs complement the text. An appendix detailing rank structure in the army, a user-friendly glossary, a complete bibliography, and an accurate index round out the package. With its scholarly tone, Southern's work is best suited for Advanced Placement World History students.—Hillary Donitz-Goldstein, formerly of the New York Public Library

Gr 8 Up—Key issues relevant to civil rights and liberties in the United States are presented in approximately 600 signed, alphabetically arranged essays of varying length. They include both historical background and current concerns—political and social—presented by experts whose credentials are listed. Topics include controversial issues such as doctor-assisted suicide, abortion rights, antismoking legislation, and the USA Patriot Act, and are covered in a clearly written, easily understood, and unbiased manner. Historical entries address such subjects as the development of the Bill of Rights, the Alien and Sedition Acts, and the poll tax. Also considered are significant people such as Supreme Court justices, political activists, and advocates for civil rights, and key concepts, organizations, and legislation. Cross-references and a bibliography follow each essay. Each volume opens with a list of the set's entries and primary documents, followed by an alphabetical "Guide to Related Topics" that groups articles under key themes. The full texts of speeches and significant laws from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries are appended. There is also a lengthy table of relevant cases, although many of them are not referred to in the text or the index. This up-to-date and comprehensive, yet compact resource will be a useful addition.—Linda Greengrass, Bank Street College Library, New York City

Gr 9 Up—This comprehensive work covers the conflict's "traditional dates" of 1337–1453 with more than 250 alphabetically arranged entries, approximately 104 of which are biographies. The introductory material contains a useful preface describing the scope of the book and the criteria for inclusion; a general chronology; a guide to entries and related topics; and a series of clear, reproducible black-and-white maps. The major battles are covered, as are such topics as artillery, siege warfare, and propaganda. Entries on battles and other events provide background information, detailed descriptions, and summaries of their significance. Biographical entries include particularly extensive see-also references. All entries conclude with a list of further readings. The appendixes contain a chronological list of battles; a list of monarchs, popes, and nobles; and a description of the counties, duchies, and regions of France. Also included is a fascinating annotated list of primary sources—mostly English—and an extensive bibliography. The black-and-white illustrations are few but well chosen. The war is covered in multivolume reference sets like Joseph R. Strayer's Dictionary of the Middle Ages (Scribner's, 1989), but not in this depth. This work will fill a gap in reference collections.—Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN

Gr 4–8—Arranged alphabetically by species, this set contains 76 new articles, including 50 "guideposts," which cover large groups of animals, habitats, and biomes such as bats, deserts, caves, butterflies, and urban settings, and articles on species not previously covered. A table of contents for the entire work appears in volume one. Curiously, an introductory piece on the classification of living things is repeated in each book. A colorful bar at the top of each spread identifies what is covered in the article: amphibians and reptiles; bacteria, protists, and fungi; biomes, habitats, and overview articles; birds; fish; invertebrates; mammals; or plants. Entries feature a range map, and a "Key Facts" box lists the subject's scientific and common names, range and habitat, appearance, food, breeding, and status (from "least concern" to "extinct"). Lengthy articles are broken up by subheadings. Each volume includes its own index, and there is also a comprehensive index (with common names) in the final volume, along with six other indexes, such as one on animal behavior. Most notable are the close-up full-color photographs. There is ample material for reports here.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Gr 9 Up—Students seeking a basic understanding of the causes, events, and consequences of World War II will find this set very useful. The first volume discusses the legacy of World War I and the causes of World War II; volumes two through nine cover 1939 to 1945, with individual volumes addressing approximately two-year spans in each of the theaters of war, in chronological order. The final volume describes the aftermath of the war, touching on economics, literature, art, music, memorials, the war trials, and other topics. The layout features two columns per page with wide margins. Vintage photos enhance every page, and cover full spreads at the beginning of chapters. Captions, which tend to repeat the text, appear in the margins, as do "see also" boxes that cross-reference the volumes. Colorful boxes of various sizes present lengthy eyewitness accounts, biographical sketches, and detailed descriptions of topics mentioned in the text. Battle maps are quite good, though there are too few. There are some errors, e.g., one entry indicates that Stalin was still living in 1961 when, in fact, he died in 1953. Even so, this set deserves serious consideration where there is a need.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS