World War II

Gr 8 Up—There are no splashy covers or sparkly literary lures here, but that doesn't take away from the quality of this set, which presents straightforward history systematically and plainly. Each title opens with a dramatized account of a relevant battle. Subsequent chapters trace the origins of the war in question from its roots in politics and social injustice. Each chapter begins with "Words to Understand in This Chapter," which highlights and defines terms of thematic relevance. The layout is simple and features pale yellow backgrounds, text in a small black font, headings in red, and illustrations boxed and outlined in plain black. Illustrations were chosen with great care and demonstrate the profound effects of war on human life; for instance, one photo depicts a sobbing baby sitting amid the rubble in the aftermath of a bombing of a Shanghai train station. This series strikes the ideal balance between a thorough and well-researched presentation of history and one that is exciting and engaging.