Reference Review

Gr 3–6—A clean layout, quality illustrations, and notes on word histories, synonyms, vocabulary, and spelling—all features of earlier editions—have been retained in this edition. The lexicon contains 25,000 words and 1500 full-color illustrations. Entries are highlighted in blue followed by the pronunciation, part of speech, and definition(s). Plural forms, verb forms, and variant spellings are noted. Many entries contain examples of the term used in a sentence. Guide words are found at the top of the page and guide letters appear in the right margin of the recto. More than 2000 new terms have been added, including names of ethnic foods and medical and educational terminology. The 1500 images include full-color photos, labeled diagrams, and illustrations; many of these are also new. This dictionary will have a general appeal to students and teachers and is perfect for ready-reference sections. An excellent choice.—Beth McGuire, Fannett-Metal School District, Willow Hill, PA

Gr 7 Up—These attractive print editions of selected articles from the publisher's Animal and Plant Anatomy database may be useful where the comprehensive 11-volume encyclopedia (2006) or its updated online version are unavailable or too expensive for scanty budgets. Anatomy and Physiology covers cell biology, genetics, and no fewer than 13 body systems; Mammal Anatomy contains chapters on 14 representative types of mammals (including "Human") from chimpanzee to zebra. In both volumes, each chapter pairs extensive and detailed descriptions of functions, structure, behaviors, distinguishing characteristics, chemistry, and other information as appropriate with large color photos or well-designed, clearly labeled diagrams. Contributors are listed at the front of the volume with their academic credentials; back matter includes keyword indexes. Though the information is not hard to find elsewhere, serious middle-grade researchers with limited access to science resources may find these detailed surveys valuable, and older students will also find them useful. In future printings (if there are any) a zany claim in Anatomy and Physiology that mammalian cells don't have nuclei will probably be corrected.—John Peters, New York Public Library

Gr 10 Up—Ball and Porter maintain that the central aim of this exceptional volume of primary sources is to add to the public and academic discourse a number of "previously unheard voices, underdiscussed issues, rarely seen archival sources, and court records" from a diverse and complex Native American history. This volume of "competing voices" is not limited to commentary on Native first encounters with Europeans, removal, and Manifest Destiny. It also traces the dynamic courses of relations between Native Americans and both the state and federal governments to the present day. The sources illustrate that the relationship has not always been one of tension as Native cooperation and involvement in larger American conflicts from the two World Wars to the 21st century illustrate. The volume follows both a chronological and thematic arrangement with each chapter prefaced by a clear, edifying introduction to the topic. The documents themselves are drawn from a variety of sources on Native and non-Native sides of the issue and are comprised of legends, reports, treaties, court cases, letters, and memoirs and prefaced by brief introductions. Examples include documents by Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, Tecumseh, and Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. The work concludes with a time line, extensive source notes, and a comprehensive bibliography for each chapter, providing opportunities for further research. Whether discussing Pontiac's Rebellion or the 1977 trial of Leonard Peltier, these documents are sure to inspire debate among advanced students.—Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL

Gr 9 Up—This excellent resource is a clear, well-arranged guide for starting and developing reports. The 100 chronologically arranged entries span from the failed settlement at Roanoke, VA, in 1584 to the ratification of the U.S. constitution in 1791 and include political, economic, legal, social, and military topics, such as Jamestown, the Salem witchcraft trials, King George's War, and the Stamp Act of 1765. Each topic is prefaced with a brief, intelligible overview that provides a reasonable amount of context followed by three to five term paper suggestions. A separate section of alternative ideas calls upon students to choose and represent one side of a historical question while constructing arguments backed by current technologies such as PowerPoint slide shows, podcasts, and blogs. All topics conclude with a section of leads to pertinent primary and secondary resource print materials representing current scholarly opinions, as well as Web and multimedia sources. Carpenter's work will serve as an essential guide for research papers and discussions on topics of interest to AP students of Colonial American history.—Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL

Gr 9 Up—Rather than highlighting politics or battles, these titles focus on how individuals and groups—including women, youth, African Americans, Native Americans, and various religious minorities—fared and were shaped by events during significant periods in American history. In addition to the attention to diverse groups, chapters in Great Depression explore the myriad problems faced in urban areas versus the countryside, and the impact of both technology and Hollywood movies during the 1930s. Civil War includes essays on soldiers, civilians, immigrants, and cities. Chapters in each volume are well researched, well documented, and individually authored. Informative sidebars will pique readers' interest in lesser-known personalities, while the substantial number of primary sources appended to each volume will allow advanced researchers the opportunity to explore topics in more depth. Black-and-white archival photographs and occasional charts are included.—Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster, PA

Gr 10 Up—Cullen-DuPont provides a thorough discussion of modern-day slavery, also known as human trafficking. The book meticulously defines the term and outlines the problem both globally and domestically. Efforts of the United Nations and other nonprofit organizations to address the issues of labor and sexual servitude are discussed. The author sheds light on how the trade in humans continues despite the attempt of governments to thwart it. A section on primary sources includes passages from official documents citing cases and quotes from victims, while the final section offers suggestions on how to research the topic, along with useful charts, statistics (annotated), organizational listings, and a substantial, up-to-date, thematic bibliography. This is an invaluable resource, but it will best serve students in Advanced Placement classes. Other students may find Joyce Hart's Human Trafficking (Rosen, 2009) of more use.—Richelle Roth, Boone County Public Library, KY

Gr 10 Up—Dobson's comprehensive work uses a chronological structure, covering the years since 1776 in five parts. Each of these sections begins with an overview of American diplomacy during that era. Bolded key concepts refer readers to the more in-depth alphabetically arranged entries that follow, each of which includes meticulous citing of footnotes and sources. Biographies of important period diplomats conclude each section. Primary sources are emphasized throughout, with excerpts from, or the full text of, speeches and important documents, such as a letter from William Seward to Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the Civil War, Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, and the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, appearing in text boxes. Back matter includes a detailed chronology with entry titles bolded for easy access. Black-and-white photos and illustrations offer additional material. Elegant organization makes Belligerents an ideal reference work; Dobson's clear explanations of big-picture concepts and how they relate to specific situations in American history make this a readable and useful resource.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Gr 10 Up—The more than 300 signed essays in this encyclopedia cover a broad spectrum of multicultural lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer contemporary literature, from memoir to poetry to drama. Arranged alphabetically, the set is weighted heavily in biographical entries, but also included are seminal works and topical entries such as "Novel, Lesbian" and "Gay Rights Movement" that range in length from approximately 500 to 4000 words. Young adult, science fiction, and even sports literature are all covered, but conspicuously absent is mystery/detective fiction. While these essays, which include further reading suggestions and highlight other main entries, are certainly accessible to secondary students, many of the minor literary figures would be of interest primarily to serious scholars of LGBTQ literature. The encyclopedia has alphabetical and topical lists of entries and a good index in volume 2.—Betty S. Evans, Missouri State University, Springfield

Gr 7 Up—Volume one of this excellent resource includes a set table of contents. The clear, concise, and unbiased entries cover cases, legislation, people, issues, and events, and are filled with key points from which students can gather important introductory information. Each entry is followed by further-reading suggestions, and some entries are accompanied by well-labeled black-and-white portraits and photographs. Volume two has seven appendixes: "Declaration of Independence," "Articles of Confederation," "The Constitution of the United States of America," "Bill of Rights," "Other Amendments to the Constitution," "U.S. Constitution Time Line," and "Locating Court Cases." Perfect for term papers, projects, and debate units.—Ivy Miller, Wyoming Seminary Upper School, Kingston, PA

Gr 8 Up—This noteworthy resource offers students a day-by-day, comprehensive chronology of the events of the "Great War" that devastated Europe, dismantled the Ottoman Empire, and changed the nature of warfare. The detailed and highly readable account begins with the coronation of Wilhelm I and the birth of the German Empire in 1871, spans the course of the global war, and concludes with the July 24, 1923, signing of the Treaty of Lausanne. Entries for each date are prefaced by bold headings such as "Home Fronts," Western Front," "Air," and "Peace Making," which do an excellent job guiding readers to information pertinent to particular searches. Familiar tales such as the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, the sinking of the Lusitania, and peacemaking at Versailles are deftly recounted with economic flair alongside not-so-familiar episodes from the U.S. home front to Far Eastern military campaigns. Occasional black-and-white photos personalize the text. A secondary feature of the work is a 37-page compilation of brief biographies on seminal political and military participants including Winston Churchill, Georges Clemenceau, and German Commander in Chief Paul von Hindenburg. These profiles provide the subject's dates, position during the war, and a summary of duties. Additional features include statistics on mobilized manpower, casualty lists, 10 detailed black-and-white maps, and an extensive bibliography arranged by subject. Woodward's valuable work will allow students to follow the course of campaigns, peace negotiations, and the changing face of battle.—Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL