Kings and queens. Generals and enlisted men. Flamboyant outlaws and gangsters. Intrepid explorers and treasure hunters. Much of the world’s history has been made by people who lived outsized lives, pursued outsized dreams, or achieved outsized deeds. Some began with the advantages of inherited riches and power, while others started with nothing but a desire for fame and fortune. Though in recent years, historical scholarship has largely veered away from exploring how the actions of “great men” have changed the past, this group of books reverses that trend. Many of this season’s series focus on the some of the world’s most interesting characters and how their stories have affected the course of events for both the better and the worse.

Preschool-Grade 4

LEE, Sally. Castles and Palaces. ISBN 978-1-62065-121-6. LC 2012030331. ––––. Kings and Queens. ISBN 978-1-62065-123-0. LC 2012030332. ––––. Knights. ISBN 978-1-62065-122-3. LC 2012030333. ––––. Princes and Princesses. ISBN 978-1-62065-124-7. LC 2012030335. ea vol: 24p. (Pebble Plus: Royalty Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Capstone. 2013. PLB $24.65. K-Gr 2–These attractive books take beginning readers into the world of historical and contemporary royalty and knights, providing basic introductions and examples of families, their work and activities, and homes. Designed to conform to national elementary standards, the titles each have word counts of about 180, first-grade reading levels, and simple text structures with repetition of key words. The uncluttered spreads feature bright, full-page color photos or illustrations on the right and a few sentences on the left. The photo captions–which include the names of a diverse group of rulers, castles, and countries drawn from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East–will be most challenging for the intended audience to read and/or take in. Glossaries offer simple definitions of challenging vocabulary. Suitable for both reading aloud and independent reading, these volumes will have broad appeal.

Grades 5 & Up

ARONIN , Miriam. Merciless Monarchs and Ruthless Royalty. ISBN 978-1-4677-0607-0; ISBN 978-1-4677-1035-0. LC 2012027291. DONALDSON , Madeline. Pirates, Scoundrels, and Scallywags. ISBN 978-1-4677-0606-3; ISBN 978-1-4677-1033-6. LC 2012018927. DONOVAN , Sandy. Lethal Leaders and Military Madmen. ISBN 978-1-4677-0609-4; ISBN 978-1-4677-1032-9. LC 2012018444. LANDAU , Elaine. Assassins, Traitors, and Spies. ISBN 978-1-4677-0608-7; ISBN 978-1-4677-1030-5. LC 2012013841. SCHWARTZ , Heather E. Gangsters, Bootleggers, and Bandits. ISBN 978-1-4677-0604-9; ISBN 978-1-4677-1031-2. LC 201201724. ––––. Outlaws, Gunslingers, and Thieves. ISBN 978-1-4677-0605-6; ISBN 978-1-4677-1036-7. LC 2012019113. ea vol: 32p. (ShockZone: Villains Series). further reading. index. photos. reprods. websites. Lerner. 2013. PLB $26.60; ebook $19.95. Gr 5-8 –These high-interest, brief books deliver information about some of history’s most notorious villains, most in two-page biographical sketches that relate their nefarious deeds without delving into gory details. While popular topics such as pirates and outlaws will always attract an audience, the brevity of each profile means that this set does not deliver enough background information to help readers fully place many of these people into historical contexts (such as Prohibition or the Cold War) and/or explain their actions. That weakness is most obvious in Monarchs, Assassins, and Gangsters, in which students may find the actions of “Bloody Mary,” Al Capone, and others mystifying. Full-color and black-and-white photos and reproductions, word definitions in text boxes, and sidebars supplement the short biographies. Most of these figures have been written about in extant titles, making these books additional choices for reluctant readers. BARBER , Nicola. Lost Cities. ISBN 978-1-4109-4952-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-4959-2. LC 2012012891. ––––. Tomb Explorers. ISBN 978-1-4109-4955-4; ISBN 978-1-4109-4962-2. LC 2012012894. GUILLAIN , Charlotte. Great Art Thefts. ISBN 978-1-4109-4951-6; ISBN 978-1-4109-4958-5. LC 2012012759. HUNTER , Nick. Ancient Treasures. ISBN 978-1-4109-4950-9; ISBN 978-1-4109-4957-8. LC 2012012757. ––––. Pirate Treasure. ISBN 978-1-4109-4953-0; ISBN 978-1-4109-4960-8. LC 2012012890. ––––. Shipwrecks. ISBN 978-1-4109-4954-7; ISBN 978-1-4109-4961-5. LC 2012012892. ea vol: 48p. (Treasure Hunters Series). reprods. chron. further reading. glossary. illus. index. photos. websites. Raintree. 2013. PLB $31.43; pap. $8.99. Gr 5-8 –Readers of these exciting titles will join searches for some of the planet’s most storied places and legendary treasures. After helpful introductions that lay foundations so children will understand why thieves might want to steal art or treasure hunters take such risks, each volume contains chapters that follow the discovery and/or quests for objects such as “Roman Riches” or locations such as the legendary city of Troy. This format allows for development of topics and inclusion of sufficient background information. Concluding spreads nicely pull together themes and facts. The attractive full-color photos and illustrations of expeditions, explorers, and artifacts are both appealing and informative. While this set captures the thrill of the hunt, it also emphasizes the historical and cultural value of the treasures and how serendipitous discoveries and challenging missions have improved historians’ understanding of the past.

BURGAN , Michael. World War II Pilots: An Interactive History Adventure. ISBN 978-1-4296-9899-3; ISBN 978-1-62065-718-8. ––––. World War II Spies: An Interactive History Adventure. ISBN 978-1-4296-9898-6; ISBN 978-1-62065-722-5. OTFINOSKI , Steven. World War II Infantrymen: An Interactive History Adventure. ISBN 978-1-4296-9964-8; ISBN 978-1-62065-716-4. RAUM , Elizabeth. World War II Naval Forces: An Interactive History Adventure. ISBN 978-1-4296-4780-9; ISBN 978-1-62065-720-1. ea vol: 112p. (You Choose: World War II Series). bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. websites. Capstone. 2013. PLB $31.32; pap. $6.95. Gr 4-6–Adventure seekers will enjoy the choices they are given in the fast-paced, fictional (but historically accurate) World War II scenarios in these books. Each volume has an “About Your Adventure” introduction, followed by a chapter that orients readers in the time period. Students are given three initial story paths, which lead to numerous choices and many different endings, all set in important or notable battles. The primary characters include Allied fighters (one a Tuskegee Airman) and Germans, but no Japanese fighters. Readers will quickly see that even seemingly simple choices have life or death consequences. The mostly black-and-white period photos add realism, while maps, time lines, and captions add additional facts. Though these engaging texts are not replacements for traditional nonfiction, they will help readers understand the horrors and dangers of battle.

COOKE , Tim. The Exploration of Africa. maps. ISBN 978-1-4339-8611-6; ISBN 978-1-4339-8614-7. LC 2012024372. ––––. The Exploration of Arabia and Asia. ISBN 978-1-4339-8615-4; ISBN 978-1-4339-8618-5. LC 2012037842. ––––. The Exploration of Australasia and the Pacific. ISBN 978-1-4339-8619-2; ISBN 978-1-4339-8622-2. LC 2012037757. ––––. The Exploration of North America. ISBN 978-1-4339-8623-9; ISBN 978-1-4339-8626-0. LC 2012021921. ––––. The Exploration of South America. ISBN 978-1-4339-8627-7; ISBN 978-1-4339-8630-7. LC 201204534. ––––. The Exploration of the North and South Poles. ISBN 978-1-4339-8631-4; ISBN 978-1-4339-8634-5. LC 2012039586. ea vol: 48p. (Explorers Discovering the World Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Gareth Stevens. 2013. PLB $31.95; ebook $31.95. Gr 4-6 –Attractive presentations can’t overcome the weaknesses of the texts’ superficial summaries. Loosely organized by sections that focus on expeditions, explorers, or specific regions, the journeys covered mostly follow the exploits of famous European or American men, but a few Asian, female, and indigenous people are featured. The books focus more on exploration routes than on analysis of the reasons for the expeditions or their historical effects. The design combines limited text, sidebars and text boxes, reproductions, and stunning location photos. However, there are no contemporary maps, which will leave some readers feeling confused since the texts discuss so many specific routes. Poles erroneously claims that the South Pole receives less sunlight than the North Pole. The combination of all these flaws and the lack of analysis limits the effectiveness of this set–especially since exploration is a topic with wide coverage in extant titles. DURMAN , Laura. Castle Life. ISBN 978-1-84858-560-7. LC 2011051440. ––––. Knights. ISBN 978-1-84858-561-4. LC 201101452. ––––. Siege. ISBN 978-1-84858-562-1. LC 2011051446. HUMPHREY , Paul. Building a Castle. ISBN 978-1-84858-559-1. LC 2011051450. ea vol: 32p. (Knights and Castles Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. reprods. websites. Arcturus. 2013. PLB $28.50. Gr 4-6 –Large, full-color photographs and illustrations distinguish this series, which gives emerging readers a fascinating glimpse into the medieval world. With each spread devoted to a subject (e.g., “Personal protection,” “Castle defenses,” and “Banquets and feasts”), the books cover a wide range of topics such as weapons, castle construction, food, religion, and the structure and hierarchy of society. Though the texts are limited, they are well integrated with the appealing illustrations, which include contemporary photos of re-enactors and intact castles and ruins, art reproductions, and cutaways. Many images are also labeled with captions that introduce new words, which will increase vocabulary comprehension. Although these books do not present information that has not already been covered by existing sets, their clear, readable prose and illustration-focused format will attract and hold the attention of browsers and aid report writers. Strong new or replacement choices.

FORAN , Racquel. Knights. diags. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-724-1; ISBN 978-1-61480-815-2; ISBN 978-1-61783-774-6. LC 2012946375. GITLIN , Martin. Green Berets. chart. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-723-4; ISBN 978-1-61480-814-5; ISBN 978-1-61783-773-9. LC 2012946369. ––––. Vikings. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-729-6; ISBN 978-1-61480-820-6; ISBN 978-1-61783-779-1. LC 2012946373. HEPPERMANN , Christine. Samurai. charts. diags. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-727-2; ISBN 978-1-61480-818-3; ISBN 978-1-61783-777-7. LC 2012946371. HOBLIN , Paul. Gladiators. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-722-7; ISBN 978-1-61480-813-8; ISBN 978-1-61783-772-2. LC 2012946376. MARCINIAK , Kristin. Navy SEALs. charts. diags. ISBN 978-1-61783-725-8; ISBN 978-1-61480-816-9; ISBN 978-1-61783-775-3. LC 2012946370. MOONEY , Carla. Ninjas. charts. diags. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-726-5; ISBN 978-1-61480-817-6; ISBN 978-1-61783-776-0. LC 2012946374. OTFINOSKI , Steven. Spartans. maps. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-728-9; ISBN 978-1-61480-819-0; ISBN 978-1-61783-778-4. LC 2012946372. ea vol: 48p. (Great Warriors Series). chron. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. ABDO/Core Library. 2013. PLB $32.79; ebook $32.79; pap. $15.64. Gr 4-6 –Each title opens with an account of a dramatic battle or operation, followed by chapters about its featured warriors’  history, recruitment and training, weapons and tactics, and lifestyle. The volumes are clearly designed and written with the Common Core State Standards in mind. The texts are paired with captioned, average-quality photos and reproductions and maps. Sidebars include primary-source excerpts, additional facts, and/or prompts to elicit critical-thinking skills (for example, many passages ask readers to compare the way information is presented in the book to the way the same facts are delivered on a website). “Stop and Think” sections at the end of each title suggest independent research and writing activities. Though the set is accurate and informative enough for research projects and reports, it has a textbooklike quality that might be off-putting to some students and lacks the visual appeal found in the many series about military subjects.

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All of these books describe how larger-than-life people have changed world history, but most of their stories have been told, in some cases many times, in extant series, making it difficult for authors and publishers to either improve on coverage or find a new perspective. Four of the sets manage to do so. Capstone’s “Pebble Plus: Royalty” offers high-quality illustrations and controlled vocabulary to help beginning readers learn about people and cultures identified in learning standards. Arcturus’s “Knights and Castles” integrates outstanding images with clearly written texts that will help middle-level readers understand the hierarchies and structures of the medieval period. Raintree’s “Treasure Hunters” captures the thrill of the hunt for all types of treasure–even as the set emphasizes that the true value of most of the world’s “treasure” is historical and cultural. Finally, Capstone’s “You Choose: World War II” merits consideration because of its departure from the traditional nonfiction format, creating historically accurate and exciting scenarios that allow students to choose their own paths as combatants in the Second World War.