These easy-to-read titles provide basic introductions to various elected officials who govern at the federal, state, or local level. Each book explains the requirements of the positions as well as the duties of the jobs. Judges can be appointed or elected; congresspeople must be 25 years old; the president directs the armed forces; and governors run the executive branch of the states. Interesting facts are included: Judges can conduct weddings; most state attorneys general are elected; and congresspeople get free parking at the airport. All titles feature color ­photographs representing the diversity of people in the various offices. VERDICT This...

This series shows how these major inventions have impacted human history. Not only did airplanes revolutionize travel, they also made everything faster—movement of goods, fertilization of fields, and warfare. Space exploration not only allowed people to learn more about Earth’s atmosphere, but it produced some of the biggest advances in technology thanks to NASA research. Electricity is now a familiar power source, but keeping food edible and unspoiled was extremely difficult without it. These books highlight the importance of thinking outside the box and how competition and innovation lead to monumental advances for all humans. Of course, challenges are addressed...

This bilingual series introduces readers to sports positions across various disciplines. The roles are not specific to one sport, but the books focus on players that can be stars (pitchers, power forwards, quarterbacks) as well as the ones who are game savers (catchers and linebackers). Simple English text on each page is followed by a Spanish translation. Glossary terms are defined in both languages on the pages where they are first introduced. Each book wraps up with a memory game; readers are asked to remember what they learned on the pages where the pictures appeared. There are also comprehension questions...

Each book in this series begins with general suggestions for before and during reading activities. Vocabulary words are noted in this section, then also appear in bold print within the text, and are defined in the photo glossary. Text pages have three or four simple sentences supported by images on the facing page. Photos show blizzards, floods, tornadoes, weather tools, and seasonal scenes. Weather Affects Me does a good job of including images of people from a variety of backgrounds. Additional facts appear in text boxes that take the form of clouds. Measurements are given in standard U.S. units and...

Young readers receive a kid-friendly introduction to inspiring women in STEM fields with this picture-book biography series, Women in Science and Technology. Annie Easley focuses on Annie's love for math and how it led her work as a computer programmer. Also noted are her contributions to vehicles and energy, as well as the obstacles Annie overcame as one of the only African Americans in her field. In Grace Hopper, readers will follow Grace's knack for math as it takes her on a path to the Navy, where she became one of the most important computer programmers and worked with various...