Barrett, Paul M. A History of Dinosaurs in 50 Fossils.160p. Smithsonian. Oct. 2024. Tr $24.95. ISBN 9781588347336.
Gr 3-6–An engaging and educational journey through the prehistoric world, presented through the lens of 50 carefully chosen fossils. Barrett, a renowned paleontologist, uses these specimens to illustrate the evolution, diversity, and paleobiology of dinosaurs, offering readers a chronological and thematic exploration of these ancient creatures. The book’s structure guides readers from the earliest dinosaur fossils to the latest discoveries, making it accessible to enthusiasts and scholars. Each fossil is detailed with high-quality illustrations and photographs, accompanied by insightful commentary that places each specimen in its historical context. Barrett’s writing is clear and informative, balancing scientific accuracy with an engaging narrative that brings the world of dinosaurs to life. What sets this book apart is its ability to distill complex paleontological concepts into digestible and captivating entries. The selection of fossils showcases the breadth of dinosaur evolution, highlighting key transitional forms and major discoveries. VERDICT This provides a compelling and visually stunning overview of the prehistoric past.–Jenna LaBollita

Bartrop, Paul R. The Holocaust: Country by Country. illus. by Eve E. Grimm. 392p. Bloomsbury. Jun. 2024. Tr $100. ISBN 9781440879371.
Gr 8 Up–This highly detailed and structural reference book is a solid starting place for students interested in learning basic facts and statistics of the Holocaust. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific country, and those chapters are in alphabetical order by the names the country was known by in 1939, the agreed-upon beginning of World War II (for instance, “Southern Rhodesia” is the name used for Zimbabwe). Most of the countries are often covered in WWII curriculum (Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, etc.) and some have not been as well-researched regarding their involvement in the war (Brazil, Australia, Egypt, Mexico, etc.). The chapter/countries all have the same chapter headings in the following order: basic information about the country in 1939, Jews in that country, Pre-War, Wartime, Aftermath, and Further Reading. The text, plain font, and straightforward language keep this firmly in the reference section, but the subject matter is clearly meant for older readers. The further reading section will be an especially great jumping-off point for students. The mention of how many citizens of each country have been honored by Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial Authority, is an important touch. VERDICT A good reference guide to a difficult subject that neither oversimplifies nor neglects essential facts regarding the horrors of the Holocaust.–Jessica Durham

Buckley, James. A Kids’ Guide to the National Baseball Hall of Fame: The Greatest Players from Hank Aaron to Derek Jeter to Cy Young. 160p. becker&mayer! kids. Sept. 2024. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780760388365.
Gr 4 Up–This well-crafted book offers thumbnail sketches and photos of 180 players who have been inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame. Sections also highlight notable broadcasters, commissioners, executives such as Branch Rickey, international all-stars, managers, and umpires. Some of the greatest National Negro League players, barred from the major leagues during their lifetimes have been posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame. These include Josh Gibson, “Cool Papa” Bell, and Oscar Charleston, the only player to have won a batting triple crown three times. The only woman in the Hall of Fame, Effa Manley, co-owner of the Negro Leagues’ Newark Eagles, is also mentioned. Helpful appendices add context: the full list of all Hall of Fame inductees, glossary of baseball terms, time line of baseball history, other awards such as the Cy Young award for pitching, and rules for election to the Hall of Fame. This is an excellent resource for fans and browsers, with an attractive design and plenty of colorful trivia and quotes, including manager Casey Stengel directing his players to “line up alphabetically by height.” VERDICT Readers will have to look elsewhere for a comprehensive history of baseball; nonetheless, this overview is a good option for most collections.–Marilyn Taniguchi

Claybourne, Anna. The Dragon Atlas: Legendary Dragons of the World. illus. by Pham Quang Phuc. 48p. Laurence King. Oct. 2024. Tr $21.99. ISBN 9781510230606.
Gr 2-4–There are fearsome dragons to be found all over the world, from Siberia to South Africa, with tales to be told. In this atlas, readers will learn about dragons, such as the Mokele-Mbembe of the Congo River, a vegetarian water dragon that hides in caves, and the Druk from Bhutan, who appears on their national flag. Illustrations colorfully show dragons in their natural habitat alongside their origin story, often fitting a few on one page. Full-page maps show each region discussed as well as some of the dragons’ approximate locations. Alongside smaller black-and-white illustrations, Claybourne shares fun anecdotes that don’t fit with any particular dragon or region. She covers fun stories about explorers who mistook different animals for dragons, dragon sightings in modern times, and a dragon guide where she shares tips for dealing with dragons for the cautious adventurer. VERDICT Readers who are fascinated with dragons and lore will surely be entertained. –Kerri L. Williams

Dinosaurs. ISBN 9781787081499.
––––. Romans. ISBN 9781787081451.
ea vol: 96p. (Factology). Button Bks. Oct. 2024. Tr. $19.99.
Gr 3-6–The newest entries in the “Factology” series, Dinosaurs and Romans, are filled to the brim with compelling tidbits and vocabulary to bring these high-interest nonfiction topics to life. Each full-color page uses clear and engaging infographics to draw readers in and visually represent time lines and identify key topics, whether comparing dinosaur species or understanding the government systems of ancient Rome. With clearly written text, broken into short paragraph blurbs, the books give context for readers who may have no familiarity with the topics. The books provide rich vocabulary, including scientific names and Latin terms, that add depth to the fun facts format. Both titles’ back matter includes a comprehension quiz, glossary, and topic index. VERDICT As with previous “Factology” titles, Dinosaurs and Romansare visually engaging and well-researched nonfiction titles that will serve school projects and capture the imagination of kids who devour series such as “Eyewitness” and “Who Would Win?” –Molly Saunders

Hudson, David L. The Handy Civics Answer Book: How to Be a Good Citizen. 464p. (The Handy Answer Book Series). Visible Ink. Jun. 2024. pap. $29.95. ISBN 9781578598113.
Gr 8 Up–A thorough and accessible primer on citizenship in the United States that breaks down the three branches of government. In addition to a chapter on the U.S. Supreme Court, there is another entry on landmark rulings. Hudson, an attorney and law professor at Belmont College, has authored other related volumes in the “Handy Answer Book” series, including The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book. The layout is dynamic, and the information is formatted as a question-and-answer conversation. For example, “Who started the Boston Tea Party?” is followed by paragraphs on the events that led up to that historical event. Students will be fascinated to learn that not only was George Washington proposed as a monarch for the new nation, he was also proposed as one of a three-person executive branch. Smaller insets smashing misconceptions, providing further context, and expanding on related topics are set apart and spread sporadically throughout. An American flag serves as the bacground for these sidebars. Black-and-white photos and reproductions break up the text. Back matter includes an index and further reading. VERDICT An essential purchase for high school libraries and public library collections. –Shelley M. Diaz

Kemp,Theresa D. Daily Life of Women in Shakespeare’s England. 304p. (Daily Life Through History). Bloomsbury. Jul. 2024. Tr $75. ISBN 9781440870255.
Gr 9 Up–A fascinating inside examination of the day-to-day lives of women from Elizabethan and Jacobean England. Kemp explores the social and cultural issues that impacted women across class, region, and religion during the time Shakespeare was most active. As in other entries of “Daily Life Through History” series, this volume uses recent archival scholarship to present a more nuanced and feminist interpretation of history. This volume offers a glimpse into women’s challenges, roles, and contributions in this evolving society. Despite the constraints imposed by society, many English women found ways to assert agency. They were active in religious movements, such as the Quakers, which provided opportunities for leadership and public speaking. Some women wrote literature and engaged in political discussions. Others navigated the English law courts to maintain their rights against abuse and even enslavement. Many also challenged traditional gender roles by cross-dressing or taking on traditionally male roles during times of war. The text is divided into seven topics, including “Domestic,” “Economic,” “Political,” “Religious Lives.” The narrative emphasizes primary sources, such as diary entries, court documents, and even the script of a play to prove the different roles women held during this time. Reproductions, diagrams, and photos appear sporadically throughout to add interest and as further evidence. The front matter features a glossary and time line; the back matter features a bibliography and an index. VERDICT A good choice where Shakespeare and women’s studies are part of the curriculum.–Shelley M. Diaz

Knowledge A Visual Compendium: Making Sense of our World. 320p. DK. Oct. 2024. Tr $29.99. ISBN 9780593843772.
Gr 5-10–This visually rich and engaging volume explores and celebrates how people have “made sense of the world” through categorizing, classification, and organization. The compendium is structured in six sections, including “Earth and the Universe” and “History and Culture.” Some of the topic names seem to overlap and feel redundant, but there is enough differentiation to satisfy the needs of students who might approach subjects from various angles. Some readers may find the pages too busy, but the abundance of information makes up for that and will engage many readers. The subjects range from the familiar—phases of the moon and the periodic table—to the quirky—different cakes of the world and a chart of brassicas (all of the plants that have been cultivated from the wild cabbage). A conscious effort was made to include non-Western perspectives. Filled with reproductions, infographics, photos, and diagrams set against a white background, this is a browser’s dream. Brilliant colors and an index will help curious readers to find their specific interests. VERDICT Trivia lovers and fact hounds will hungrily pore over this. A strong purchase for reference and nonfiction collections.–Shelley M. Diaz

Launius, Roger D. Smithsonian Atlas of Space: A Map to the Universe from the Big Bang to the Future. 400p. Smithsonian. Oct. 2024. Tr $60. ISBN 9781588347800.
Gr 3-8–Launius gives young readers and researchers the knowledge needed to keep the pace in the space race. The Atlas is organized into five large sections that are sandwiched between an introduction and an index. The large sections provide readers a map for exploring space, starting with a look at “Our Universe,” zooming out next to wander “Galaxies and Star Systems” and “The Outer Solar System,” then moving to a closer looking at “Our Nearby Worlds,” and finally, wondering “What Might the Future Hold?” Within each section, smaller subsections take a deeper dive into topics in clear, fact-driven and engaging prose. Importantly, Launius shares “ideas of the universe” with young researchers with global, non-Western histories of space, including, for example, summaries of Mayan and Babylonian thought. In addition to the gorgeous images and illustrations, short biographies of important “space” people offer readers human faces, experiences, and moments of connection while exploring the vastness and mystery of space. VERDICT While this is a fun book to page through, get lost in, and find inspiration, the careful organization and index welcome readers across grade levels to explore and study the worlds we know and the ones we don’t know—yet.–Jessica Schriver

Liu, Charles. The Handy Quantum Physics Answer Book. 480p. (The Handy Answer Book). Visible Ink. Jul. 2024. pap. $29.95. ISBN 9781578598052.
Gr 9 Up–The latest in the series introduces readers to the study and history of quantum physics and the ways it is encountered in everyday life. In 10 sections, the topics range from “What is Quantum Physics?” to “Quantum Frontiers.” Students can choose to read the text from beginning to end or they can dip in and read about topics that spark their interests. Each section features a collection of questions (appearing in bold) about the topic, followed by an answer ranging from a few sentences to a few paragraphs. Lines across the page create a visual separation between each question and the next. A banner across the top indicates the current section. The writing is clear and accessible, although readers with some previous knowledge of physics and chemistry will benefit most. The layout is clear and open. Black-and-white images, featured throughout, include photographs of scientists and images to complement the text, such as an image portraying the difference between the atomic models of J.J. Thomson and Ernest Rutherford. Boxed “Did You Know” areas also appear throughout and highlight interesting facts. The text concludes with a list of further reading and a comprehensive index. VERDICT This reference book would be useful for high school students with an interest in the topic.–Maren Ostergard

Starks, Glenn L. 100 Black Women Who Shaped America: Their Legacy. 352p. Bloomsbury. Jul. 2024. Tr $100. ISBN 9781440881084.
Gr 7 Up–This thorough compilation of profiles of influential Black women in the United States highlights well-covered subjects, such as Harriet Tubman, Serena Williams, and Michelle Obama, but also shines a light on women who have not always been recognized for their notable “firsts” and lives. For example, Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman was among the first slaves in Massachusetts to successfully sue for her freedom in 1781. Sheila Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, was the first African American woman to become a billionaire. Ursula Burns was the first Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company as head of Xerox in 2009. These figures and many more are profiled in two to four pages, accompanied by a related photo. They are split into nine chapters, each one covering a specific topic, such as “Abolition and Suffrage” and “Literature and Journalism.” A range of women across class, sexuality, and skin tone are presented here. These life stories are engagingly written, and every one of them deserves their own volume. Starks says in the intro: “American history, however, has been rewritten to downplay the roles of some and erase the contributions of others. Many Black women achieved levels of success that should have made them household names rather than footnotes in history books.” The entries are accessible and concisely summarize the many accomplishments of the featured women. A time line is part of the front matter: back matter includes an index and extensive bibliography. VERDICT Purchase for reference collections. These powerful women will inspire young people, especially girls of color, to reach for their dreams.–Shelley M. Diaz

Timelines of Extraordinary Lives. 328p. (DK Children’s Timelines). DK. Oct. 2024. Tr $29.99. ISBN 9780593844984.
Gr 3-8–From Egyptian pharaoh Ramsses The Great (1303 BCE) to environmental activist Greta Thunburg (2024 CE), these 150 time lines cover a swath of events and icons. In an introductory disclaimer, the diverse editors of this volume clarify that they consciously made an effort to include histories from all perspectives and representations, acknowledging that much of history had been recorded by men from privileged backgrounds and with a Eurocentric focus. Every “extraordinary life” is pictured visually, whether through a photo, a statue, or illustration. Profiles often take up one spread, and a time line is featured for each subject. Illustrated time lines of related content are also presented, such as “Humans Through Time” and “The Islamic Golden Age.” There are sidebars throughout, expanding on related topics. The art is bright and vibrant, the design is dynamic with very little white space. The frenetic layout may not be pleasing to some readers, but it is filled to the brim with information. The time lines themselves are sometimes presented in the traditional horizontal/vertical lines, but they also appear as circles or waves, adding interest. Some of the final spreads highlight even more figures, one on British and Irish peoples and another on North American peoples. Unfortunately, peoples from other continents and countries are not featured. Back matter includes a thorough glossary and index. VERDICT A fascinating update on the 2020 edition. Purchase where that volume has proven popular.–Shelley M. Diaz

Webb, Jeffrey B. Conspiracy Theories: A Reference Handbook. 304p. (Contemporary World Issues). Bloomsbury. May 2024. Tr $75. ISBN 9781440877704.
Gr 10 Up–This reference book offers a Western-focused examination of historical, cultural, religious, and current controversies, research, perspectives, as well as profiles on figures who have shaped, responded to, or fomented various conspiracy theories. This work also provides a wealth of primary documents to bolster its text. Written for readers with a sophisticated vocabulary, this work is not for younger students; it could very well sit on the shelves at a university library and serve its patrons well. Webb adeptly details how belief in conspiracies chip away at a population’s trust in the very elements that constitute a society. The author does a great job detailing conspiracies without assigning blame, merely pointing out the flaws in logic inherent to those theories. The suggestions for further reading are extensive as is the resource list. The layout of the book is logical, and there is a glossary and an index that readers will find helpful. VERDICT A solid reference book for curious and astute high school students.–Jean MacDonald

Weird But True World 2025: Incredible Facts, Awesome Photos, and Weird Wonders—For This Year and Beyond! Bk. 3. ISBN 9781426376429.
––––. Weird But True! Star Wars: 300 Epic Facts From a Galaxy Far, Far Away. ISBN 9781426375286.
ea vol: 208p. (Weird But True). National Geographic. Aug. 2024. pap. $9.99.
Gr 3-7–National Geographic Kids is back with their trademark color-popping, fact-filled round up of the weirdest facts of this world and a whole other galaxy. They showcase geography, science, history, cinematography, demographics, and more all in the enticing guise of outlandish, crazy “weirdness.” Star Wars is not just science fiction but interwoven with back stories of musical scores, amusement parks, Legos, and behind the scenes movie-making trivia galore. Talk about recycling—the heads of assassin droids were made from parts of WWII jet engines. There is hard science too, with many correlations made between creatures in the movies and their real-life counterparts in nature. Readers will be highly tempted to go back to the films to see if they can spot all of the factoids presented here. Weird But True World 2025 features oddities across the world then breaks down wacky facts by continent as well as sea and space. Quick facts with arrows to related countries reinforce geography in a fun way. Smart parents might let kids help pick cool places for family trips. Driving through Philly? Grab a slice of history at the Museum of Pizza Culture. Interactive quizzes, thought bubbles, photos, and stats cram the pages, so that even a quick scan will grab readers’ attention. VERDICT Perfect for students who may not care to read a book cover to cover, but who can open these books and fall into the weird and wonderful worlds of discovery. –Lee De Groft