Reference Review

Gr 2–5—Solid introductory information and strong visual appeal make this a fine choice for dinosaur fans. Crystal-clear photographs of models and artifacts fill every spread, in combinations of full scenes, spot images, and inset boxes. Paragraph-length captions supply most of the information, but there's a logical flow to the assortment of facts that makes the book suitable for reading as well as browsing. After providing general background about dinosaurs, chapters proceed chronologically through the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, highlighting selected species along the way. Closing sections cover other forms of prehistoric life, paleontology basics, and theories of dinosaur extinction. Various features encourage interaction and fact finding: see-also references are given in "Become an expert" insets; a question and its upside-down answer appear in a bar at the bottom of each spread; and "Curiosity quizzes" challenge readers to match visual clues cropped from larger illustrations. The text is clear, with enough intriguing facts to fascinate without overwhelming. Caption headings such as "weird or what?" and "Look at that claw!" contribute to the sense of fun and amazement that goes along with the research. Dinosaur size is usually noted within the text or with scale diagrams, though descriptions of some species, including Brachiosaurus and Spinosaurus, lack that key data. There's enough information here to serve as a useful first reference resource for curiosity or assignments, while the engaging illustrations and browsable format extend the book's appeal to much younger kids.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 8 Up—The more than 700 well-organized entries in this set are written in a straightforward and understandable style, though occasional vocabulary may challenge some readers. A little over half of the alphabetically arranged entries are biographical. The set also includes a wide variety of subjects ranging from geography to navigation. The coverage includes explorers from around the world, though less attention is paid to outer space and ocean voyages than in some comparable works. About 60 entries include inset boxes with brief excerpts from primary sources. Longer entries, such as "Women Explorers" and "Africa," contain logical subsections, making the information easier to process. Some articles include black-and-white illustrations, most of which are archival photographs or reproductions of artwork. More impressive are the nearly 80 captioned, full-color plates. These high-quality reproductions include maps and paintings from the past, as well as excellent modern color-coded maps delineating dates and routes of key voyages. References within articles refer readers to the relevant plates when appropriate. Access is fairly efficient, with a thorough index and a topical outline of entries. Though libraries with Carl Waldman's excellent Encyclopedia of Exploration (Facts On File, 2004) may not need this set, it is another useful resource.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 6–8—This set broadens the scope of occupations listed in the previous edition (Ferguson, 2003) to cover more than 650 careers, including additions such as "Aromatherapists" and "Sports Executives." Volume one incorporates career information more effectively than in the past in two new sections. The first devotes 43 pages to "Finding a Career That's Right for You." Readers learn about identifying a career fit from personality, values, interests, and skills assessments such as the Holland Code, Keirsey Temperament Sorter, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. An activities section allows self-assessment, and Web sites of important career tools, organizations, and government agencies are listed. In the second new section, 36 pages discuss "Career Clusters" such as "Manufacturing" and "Hospitality and Tourism," providing an overview, job titles in the field, educational requirements, and the outlook for job opportunities. Visual icons match the 16 clusters throughout the set. Unfortunately, the updated index still does not highlight the major careers for easy identification. This reliable and succinct source supersedes earlier editions in terms of currency and the access afforded by the career icons.—Tina Hudak, St. Albans School, Washington, DC

Gr 10 Up—A comprehensive analysis of the causes, events, and aftermath of the war. Much attention is given to the dynamics that gave rise to the conflict and how the war laid the foundation for further 20th-century strife. The first chapter recounts major themes and events from 1903 to August 1914, and others cover shorter periods through the 1920s: "The Eastern Front and Russia: August 1914–March 1918," "Lost Generation in the 1920s: 1919–1927." Each one opens with a narrative describing the period, follows with a detailed chronology of events, and ends with eyewitness testimony culled from a wide variety of contemporary newspapers, diaries, memoirs, and letters. These primary-source selections are particularly effective at engaging readers and embedding a sense of realism into each chapter. While the text is clear and informative, and is supported by black-and-white photographs, the real strength of this book lies in the wealth and range of information that is appended. Official documents, biographies of major personalities, detailed maps and tables, and a glossary all support the text. Most of the subject matter will overlap with other sources about this oft-covered period, but this comprehensive treatment will be a solid addition to reference shelves.—Robyn Walker, Elgin Court Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Gr 6–10—This limited survey of basic scientific principles and practices will be useful but not essential for either basic curriculum support or general review. Each volume treats a single topic, from "The Periodic Table" and "States of Matter" to "Biochemistry" and "Organic Chemistry," or "Chemical Reactions" and "Energy and Reactions," though there is some overlapping of coverage. The 10th volume covers chemistry in industry, medicine, and the environment. Within each book, short columns of main narrative share space with color photos and molecular diagrams, biographical profiles, side glimpses of chemistry's role in daily life, a brief list of "Key Terms" (which is on every spread), and occasional cross-references. Each one also contains easy experiments and closes with the periodic table and a set index. Though helpful, the index is a weak link: "pharmacology" is an entry, for instance, but "drugs" is not, and there is no way to tell which page references lead to experiments or biographies. Chemistry's purview is very narrowly defined here; the science's historical development gets such a sketchy treatment that the Nobel Prize isn't even mentioned, and such related topics as subatomic particles, forensic techniques, and plasma receive little more than mentions. Though worth considering, this title makes a less economical addition than such single-volume (and more comprehensive) titles as Don Rittner and Ronald A. Bailey's Encyclopedia of Chemistry (Facts On File, 2005), though the latter is for a slightly older audience.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up—A wide range of events and issues from 1945 to the present is covered in this set. The 550 alphabetically arranged articles are well organized and will be accessible to readers who have little background on the topics. Short entries such as "Family Leave Act" cover a single page, while more comprehensive treatments of topics such as "Media and Politics" fill as many as 10 pages, providing clear views of how complex issues evolve over time. Many entries highlight one specific aspect of a subject in a sidebar: an "Agent Orange" feature in "Vietnam War" is an example. The "Topic Finder" that opens each volume groups related articles under 13 general headings, a useful tool for report writers. "Health and Medicine," for instance, lists over 40 topics related to the broader area. Cross-references further reinforce the interconnectedness of many events of the era. There are no biographical entries, but individuals are accessible through a separate index in the final volume, which also includes a geographical index. Controversial subjects receive balanced treatment, with summaries of opposing viewpoints rather than in-depth debate. Articles on the social impact of popular-culture topics, including movies, music, and sports, may appeal to report writers less interested in traditional subject matter. Captioned black-and-white photos accompany many articles, but the overall emphasis is more on the text, which succeeds in covering a complicated era in a style and format that is both useful and engaging.—Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR

Gr 9 Up—This volume is a clear, concise attempt at defining a complex and disturbing subject. "A Chronology of Key Events" from 1642 to 2005 gives readers an excellent frame of reference for the development of the phenomenon over time. Contributors come from the fields of sociology, psychology, education, history, social work, political science, policing, and education. The alphabetically arranged, one- to three-page selections give enough information to spur research on just about any aspect of child and adolescent violence. Some articles discuss theories, while others give accounts of infamous individuals, pivotal court cases, or descriptions of extreme incidents. Each one is followed by a further-reading list that has print resources and, occasionally, Web sites. There is no reference book in print that covers the topic in as much detail as this work. Somewhat disappointing is the suggestion of Wikipedia as a resource in "Juvenile Violence 1600–1800 (Colonial Era)." Other than that, the book is readable and useful in whole, or in part.—Ivy Miller, Kirby Library, Kingston, PA

Gr 9 Up—This source emphasizes the best works of Beat literature. The introduction poses questions and provides analyses as to what works constitute the genre. Various scholarly contributors, including teachers, authors, poets, and English professors, sign off on numerous entries written in a succinct, informative, and user-friendly manner. Readers can access entries alphabetically, either by writer or literary work. Coverage ranges from the more popularly known writers, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, to people such as Kathy Acker, Carolyn Cassady, Bob Dylan, Charles Bukowski, and John Lennon, who are associated with the movement in differing ways. Enhancements include occasional black-and-white photographs taken by renowned Beat photographer Larry Keenan, selected primary and secondary bibliographies, and a chronology. Though this is an excellent resource, William T. Lawlor's Beat Culture: Lifestyles, Icons, and Impact (ABC-CLIO, 2005) provides a broader overview of Beat culture and would more easily support a teaching-across-the-curriculum focus, with its assortment of entries on multiple subjects, such as literature, history, and people.—Cara Webster, Cumberland Square Vise Library, Lebanon, TN

Gr 7 Up—This set aims "to introduce readers, in particular U.S. students, to contemporary foodstuffs, ways of eating, and typical cookery in almost every country in the world." It includes 198 alphabetically listed nation-states and "nationalities without states." Each one is shown on a map, and its history, geography, and ethnic or religious makeup is briefly introduced. An average of five or six recipes is provided per entry, with exceptions for the largest and smallest nations. When a recipe includes ingredients not available in the U.S., substitutions are suggested. A secondary objective is to allow students to compare dishes, such as yogurt, rice, and pasta, which are common in various countries. Sidebars offering information on topics like the African staple manioc porridge, and pen-and-ink illustrations of unusual foodstuffs, dot the text. Each volume has its own table of contents. The first volume includes lists of countries and regions and recipes by region and a brief glossary. A comprehensive set index concludes each volume. While the dishes are not especially complicated to make, they do assume familiarity with basic cooking techniques. The only safety advisory pertains to handling fresh chili peppers. However, the choices are appropriate and are accurately described, and the background material is reliable. This is a useful resource for multidisciplinary studies involving the social sciences, language arts, and consumer education, as well as general interest. Bon appetit!—Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS

Gr 10 Up—Aiming to present "clear, essential, and accurate historical information on major and minor wars, revolts, revolutions, rebellions, uprisings, invasions and insurrections," the third edition of this well-reviewed reference source (the second edition was published in 1999) contains some additions and other changes that reflect the upsurge of international and domestic terrorism and violence. About 50 of the 1850 entries have been modified. Each alphabetical section begins with a full-page black-and-white painting or drawing depicting an event or artifact covered in that section. Entries include the dates of events and a brief summary of their causes, effects, and consequences. The straightforward writing style emphasizes basic facts rather than arguments justifying or opposing each conflict. This, along with the occasional cross-references and helpful and complete general and geographic indexes, makes the encyclopedia accessible to most students. However, the work understates many of the genocidal campaigns and terrorist attacks that have taken place in history. For example, the Holocaust is only mentioned in one sentence in the entry on World War II, and the slaughter of two million Cambodians by Pol Pot's regime is deeply embedded in "Kampuchean Civil War of 1978–1998." Not a necessary purchase for libraries that have an earlier edition.—Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego

Gr 7 Up—The creation of this edition was clearly a monumental task and a labor of love for the editor, whose passion for and knowledge of popular music are first made evident in the introductory material. Within its alphabetical, cross-referenced arrangement, this ambitious work provides over 27,000 entries, including 6,000 that are new to this edition. Every aspect of popular music is covered, from Broadway show tunes and rap to heavy metal and big band, from the 1900s to today. The set provides information on artists and other important figures such as producers and songwriters. Entries encapsulate their subjects well even given length limitations. The six-page entry on the Beatles, for example, is concise yet comprehensive, as is the entry on Bob Dylan, which gives readers a clear sense of the man. Larkin and his contributors provide evaluations, using phrases such as "superbly crafted," to describe an album. The writing is always entertaining even when covering less-exciting career details. Each entry concludes with a comprehensive, rated discography covering all mediums and formats produced by the artist, and some also have further-reading lists. The main entries take up eight of this encyclopedia's volumes. The ninth volume provides a healthy quantity of selected album reviews, again presented alphabetically by artist, along with a bibliography, and the final volume is a set index. This title will be invaluable for research.—Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Gr 10 Up—These series entries provide one primary source per topic on such diverse issues as globalization, civil liberties, and anti-war protests in Government; and welfare, abstinence-only sex education, and reparations in Social Policy. Each volume opens with an "about the entry" guide, an indication that the information is not necessarily easily accessible to the average user. Covering the period from the late 18th century to the present and heavily Western-based, the books include about 140 entries each, from a well-chosen variety of sources including photographs and other works of art, government documents, letters, newspaper articles, legal testimony, interviews, songs, and advertisements. Articles, which average three pages in length, are arranged by broad topic and then chronologically within that topic. Each primary source is preceded by notes on its type, source, and creator, and followed by a short list of further resources. The varying interpretations of what actually constitutes a primary source are openly acknowledged. What makes this work stand out from material on the Web are the valuable introductions to the entries, written by a journalist or academic, followed by several paragraphs explaining the significance and context of the primary source document. The works provide support for those studying the relevant topics, but are not a complete history of any single issue, and should be considered supplemental.—Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL

Gr 9 Up—These engaging and user-friendly books are well formatted and well written. Two neatly spaced, readable columns of text per page are interspersed with instructive maps, black-and-white photos, and other illustrations. Greece focuses on the politics, customs, beliefs, and everyday life of this civilization from its beginnings 4000 years ago until its eventual conquest by the Romans. Accessible, alphabetically arranged entries provide lucid definitions of key terms, thorough explanations of relevant events, and biographies of notable personalities. Examples include Aesop, the Battle of Actium, democracy, lyric poetry, slaves and slavery, the underworld, and the role of women. This excellent resource demonstrates the vital connection between ancient Greece and today's society. Visual aids in Mesopotamia are well chosen and relevant. The book covers topics such as social life and customs, geography, religion, political and military events, science and medicine; it also includes biographies of notables, literature, and up-to-date material on archaeologists who have made discoveries about this remarkable culture. Michael Roaf's Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East (Facts On File, 1990) is well organized and well researched, but Nardo's source is more current on archaeology. Each book includes numerous access points: useful cross-references, an accurate index, a bibliography with timely resources for further investigation, and a serviceable chronology.—Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, formerly at New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up—Facts On File-in color! More than 200 full-color maps and assorted color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations, all captioned and appearing on most pages, make this an attractive book, sure to captivate readers. Text and readable, topical maps present the history of America, beginning with the crossing of the Bering Strait by Asiatic nomads through to the economic, social, and cultural changes of the late 20th century and the early years of the 21st. The maps depict exploration, territorial expansion, trade and immigration routes, climate, distribution of natural resources, urban development, and regional distribution of peoples and culture. The book is divided into 10 eras with a total of 32 chapters, each containing quotes from prominent citizens of the period. People of color and the laboring classes are not forgotten. There are a few typos and errors, but overall this is a welcome addition that can be used as a supplement to textbooks or as a stand-alone resource.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Gr 9 Up—This beautifully illustrated, well-organized, and instructive set will be a much-consulted resource by history, art, literature, and social-science classes searching for information on the momentous events, discoveries, and changes during this period. The 158 signed, alphabetically arranged entries cover the years 1300 to 1700. They are approximately five pages in length and contain highlighted informational panels. Biographies include a time line of major events in the subject's life. Besides extensively covering topics associated with the European historical movements, the set notes events that occurred elsewhere, including those in the Islamic world and the discovery of the Americas. The first volume contains a thematic table of contents for the set. Headings include "Philosophy, Religion, and Scholarship"; "Literature and Music"; "Politics and Economics"; "Daily Life"; "Science, Technology, and Exploration"; and "Architecture, Painting, and Sculpture." Volume six has an extensive bibliography; a cultural and literary index; an index of wars and battles; one of science, technology, and exploration; and a comprehensive index. Renaissance (Grolier, 2002) is another well-illustrated multivolume source on this topic, but is better suited for middle school students and reluctant readers. The three-volume Renaissance & Reformation Reference Library (Gale/UXL, 2002) offers primary resources, but its reading level is lower. Paul F. Grendler's The Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students (Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003) provides solid information, but does not cover the Reformation.—Madeleine G. Wright, New Hampton School, NH

Gr 6 Up—Following the recent boom in the graphic-novel industry, and the growing acceptance of the genre in schools, this excellent work is the next logical step in reference publishing. Focusing on 75 authors and artists, it provides a solid resource for research, emphasizing influential masters of the field and those who create graphic novels primarily for youth. While not comprehensive, the essays feature a variety of creators, including a number of popular manga artists. Most include a photograph, biographical information, a sidebar listing the subject's best-known works, and a short bibliography of books, periodicals, and Web sites. Entries are written in a straightforward, lively voice that students will enjoy for both research and personal reading. The work downplays the adult materials by individual creators and is clear when materials mentioned are controversial. Also included are a short history of graphic novels, an essay on manga, and an annotated list of graphic-novel publishers.—Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, WA.

Gr 9 Up—This edition is a complete overhaul of the 2002 original. Aiming to offer "parents and their teens basic information about the growth and development of adolescents and the issues that impact them as they move from childhood, through puberty, to adulthood," the book opens with "Adolescent Health and Development Overview." Other sections address nutrition and weight; cosmetics, skin care, and skin disorders; reproductive and sexual health; physical injury; other physical disorders and illnesses; abuse and violence; mental health; and substance abuse. Individual chapters, 75 in all, consist mainly of documents and excerpts from government agencies and professional organizations, ranging from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, with sources clearly documented. The writing is clear and straightforward, with black-and-white charts, graphs, and the occasional diagram interspersed. The obesity crisis among U.S. youth is addressed in depth, and current research on teenage brain development and mental illness makes this a particularly good resource for both parents and teens. The concise presentation of the material in brief and well-organized chapters creates an easy volume to browse, despite its overall lack of visual appeal.—Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS

Gr 10 Up—This long-awaited revision of the premier reference source on Jewish life, culture, and history updates the 1972 edition by either adding to the original information or creating a completely new entry. New to this publication are a charted summary of transliteration rules; a list of abbreviations; and entries discussing aspects of Holocaust study, the development and impact of the State of Israel on Jewish life, and the evolution of Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Hasidic, and Reconstructionist branches of the faith. Entries on Judaism in all 50 U.S. states and major U.S. cities have been updated. Others are unchanged although updating may have been warranted: for example, information on the biblical character Noah is unaltered, despite a great deal of related research, both textual and archaeological, since 1972. However, many entries related to religious law (halakhah) have been totally rewritten to reflect its impact on the Israeli legal system. This edition consists of 22 volumes compared to the original 16. It boasts all new illustrations: more than 600 maps, charts, archaeological plans, and chronologies (for example, family trees and an 8-page chart of Hasidic dynasties) and a few color photographs of paintings, drawings, and artifacts in each volume. The glossary is unchanged. The last volume contains a detailed 270-page thematic outline and a superb 632-page index that make the information in each volume accessible. Libraries that own the first edition will want to replace it with this one.—Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego

Gr 7 Up— Primary Sources is a collection of 18 documents from excerpts of writings by Andrew Carnegie and Ida B. Wells to illustrations of Gibson Girls by Charles Dana Gibson and mail-order homes advertised in the Sears, Roebuck catalog. The entry on the sinking of the Titanic is typical: it includes an introduction; an eyewitness account of the event; a report of the aftermath of the wreck and its historical significance; and sidebars on the 1997 movie and Molly Brown. The article closes with topics to consider. Biographies presents 25 key figures from the era. There is a good mix of political persons, cultural icons, and authors. Almanac is a chronological overview of the important issues of the period. Westward expansion, progressivism, the labor movement, and the immigrant experience are covered in depth; sidebars spotlight key figures and specific events. All the volumes open with a solid introductory essay and include a useful time line and glossary. Each entry and volume ends with a list of further reading and a volume-specific index. The black-and-white illustrations add interest and information. Gilded Age compares favorably to John D. Buenker and Joseph Buenker's Encyclopedia of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era (Sharpe Reference, 2005), which takes an alphabetical approach to the era, mixing historical events and biographies. The UXL set holds more value for younger researchers.—Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN

Gr 4–9—This work offers 60 experiments aligned with national science standards "in content and in processing skills." The text, printed on sturdy cardboard pages and arranged in a three-ring binder for easy photocopying, begins with a comprehensive presentation on safety precautions. The entries are arranged under six subject areas: "Earth Science," "Weather," "Animals," "Plants," "Ecology," and "Environmental Science," and include experiments determining the effects of detergents on plant growth, simulating an archaeological dig, measuring the impact of phosphates on aquatic life, and observing a food web. Each activity begins with an introduction, mention of the time needed to complete the experiment, a list of required materials, any specific safety indications, and a symbol showing the level of difficulty. Many experiments are complemented by simple line drawings. The clear, concise directions are given in numbered steps and are followed by questions prompting students to observe various phenomena. Back matter includes a "Supervision" section, noting the activities that require adult guidance, followed by a section grouping them by their appropriateness for a school laboratory, home, or outdoors. "Our Findings" presents ideas for class discussion, notes to teachers, and answers to the questions posed after each experiment. Both public and school libraries will be well served by this title.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Gr 5–8—In typical World Book fashion, these slim volumes, each corresponding to one of the human body's pivotal systems, are clearly written and contain high-quality color photographs (some of which are more useful than others) and outstanding, bright diagrams. Subtopics follow a logical progression with particular emphasis placed on adolescent development and concerns. Overviews are in clear prose and are supported by detailed anatomical illustrations, descriptions of organs and processes involved, and a highlighted FAQ inset, such as "What is PMS?" followed by an appropriate answer. Anatomical and medical terms ("scrotum," "cellular respiration," etc.) are defined both in context and in the glossary. The books succeed in their descriptive and informative purpose with color and flair. Depending on the needs of the library, these self-contained volumes can be circulated individually or held for reference. Terrific additions.—Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA