Gr 6–8—Each topic covered in this collection of books is presented on a busy double-page spread. A large illustration dominates the center of the spread, with smaller images for additional details. The main body of the text is covered in one or two paragraphs, with subheadings on related topics, labels, sidebars, and captions in smaller font. For instance, in Animals a spread on “A Frog’s Life” has subheadings covering “Breathing Underwater” and “Croaking”, then sidebars on the life cycle and how frogs swim. The volume on weather has diagrams on nearly every page to explain tornadoes, hurricanes, and other atmospheric movements. Each book is a broad survey of a topic; the table of contents and index allow readers to dip into what interests them most. VERDICT Useful to introduce topics thematically and a good classroom reference set for middle school but could be of interest to older students as well.

School Library Journal