PSLA 

    YA TOP FORTY

REFERENCE 2002 TITLES

Air Warfare: An International Encyclopedia. Ed. Walter J. Boyne.  (2 vols).  Santa Barbara: ABC CLIO, 2002.  1-57607-345-9.  $185.00.  800 p. Gr. 9-12. Air Warfare: An International Encyclopedia is a resource for students that contains names and places, planes and aces, and designers and builders.  There are 990 entries that range from 100 words to 7500 words.  There are maps, a list of terms, acronyms, and abbreviations to assist the student reader.  The index is at the end of Volume 2.  The alphabetical listing of topics that is included in both volumes will help a researcher track down relevant information in the encyclopedia.  The text is supported by black and white photographs.  Many famous air battles from the many wars and there is even information about the air war in Afghanistan after 9/11.  I think that history classes will find this resource particularly helpful when looking at the role of air power in peace and war.  It would be most useful for students who are good readers.      Peg  Kleppinger

Benson, Sonia G., ed. History Behind the Headlines: The Origins of Conflicts Worldwide. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2002. 0-7876-4954-6. 349p. $112.20.  Gr. 8+. The fourth volume in this series provides essays covering twenty-five contemporary ethnic, religious, economic, political, territorial and environmental conflicts occurring worldwide.  New to this volume is a ëContents by Regioní feature in addition to the 'Table of Contents' and the ëContents by Subjectí feature.  Alphabetically arranged, each chapter begins with an overview and a chronology of the conflict.  Historical background, biographical sketches prominent in the conflict, a recent history and a bibliography are included in each 10 to 15 page essay.  The 'Table of Contents' for each volume is available for viewing on Gale's web page http://www.galegroup.com.  This is a worthwhile addition to your collections. World Conflicts     Sandra Krieg

*Benson, Sonia G. Korean War: Almanac and Primary Sources.  Detroit: UXL, 2002.  0-7876-5691-7.  302p.  $55.00. Gr. 7-12.  Series: Korean War Library. Part of the Korean War Reference Library, this title, which combines the Almanac and Primary Sources volumes, provides in-depth information about the causes, battles, and conclusion of the war.  The Almanac section traces the history of the war, while discussing such issues as the Cold War, U.S efforts to contain communism, the role of the United Nations, and the threat of atomic warfare. The Primary Sources section includes speeches from Harry Truman, Kim Il Sung, Douglas MacArthur, and Mao Zedong, as well as magazine and newspaper articles, and political cartoons.  Well organized and illustrated, this title provides a timeline, glossary, bibliography, and detailed index.  Another excellent resource from UXL, this volume should find a place on the shelf, next to its sister title, Korean War: Biographies.       Jennie Pittman

*Biography Today General Series 2001 Annual Cumulation. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2002. 0-7808-0456-2. 458p. $58.00. Gr. 4+. Also available as a three-issue paperback subscription or subscription plus hardbound cumulation, this series profiles people of interest from a variety of careers. Individual entries include information about each personís youth, education, career, family, honors and awards, and resources for further reading and contact. Volumes are cross-referenced through general, birthplace, and birthday indexes. The 2002 cumulation is available. Related series specifically address artists, authors, scientists and inventors, and world leaders. No library should be without this resource. Highly recommended.   Biographical Reference                 Elizabeth McChesney

Bodart, Joni Richards. Radical Reads: 101 YA Novels on the Edge. Lanham: The Scarecrow Press, 2002. 0-8108-4287-4.    Professional    Bodart, the queen of the booktalk, presents an array of ìedgy and rawî fiction to help YAs work through their most challenging issues: incest, teen pregnancy, sexual and physical abuse, mental and physical illness, dysfunctional families, gangs, prejudice, suicide, peer pressure. The author provides a booktalk, character lists, subject areas, major themes and ideas, book report ideas, the strengths and ìrisksî of each book.          Joyce Valenza

*Bowling, Beatniks, and Bell-Bottoms: Pop Culture of 20th-Century America.  5 vol. Detroit: UXL- Gale Group, 2002. 0-7876-5676-3.   $215.00.     Gr. 7-12. This excellent reference series should be in every library where students study 20th- century United States history. Each volume covers two decades, and contains information on many aspects of popular culture.  Products, events, programs, performances, fads, and much more are found in easy-to-read, well-written articles in each volume. Although the series does not focus on people, there are a few important biographical entries as well. There are multiple indexes, a very good timeline, and an excellent list of additional sources, including web sites. This will be an invaluable resource for reports and research, and will also be a magnet for browsers, as well.             Nancy Chrismer

Braun, Linda W.  Developing Internet Services for Young Adults.  Chicago: American Library Association, 2002. 0-8389-0824-1. $28.  Reference. Directed at librarians, this book is designed to help integrate teen-friendly technology and content into their web sites.  An entire chapter is devoted to suggestions for web links for library web pages that will interest teens and focus their research and their free internet searching.  Taking the Search Instituteís Developmental Assets for Adolescents, Ms. Braun uses examples of websites to demonstrate how the internet meets those developmental assets.  More focused on the public library and youth services, this book suggests what teens would like in a library site including reference and homework support, online forms and forums, and a readersí advisory.  A URL index is included and those sites would be useful for either public or school libraries.  Internet           Peg Kleppinger         

1 of 2 CDs, Super Glue, and Salsa: How Everyday Products are Made. Series 3.  Mei Ling Rein, ed.  Detroit: UXL, 2003. 0-7876-6477-4 $100 Gr 6+. The thirty new entries in this addition to the popular series include antibiotics, DVD players, video games, and gas masks.  If you use the first two series, youíll want this too.  Joyce Valenza

2 of 2 CDs, Super Glue and Salsa: How Everyday Products Are Made: Series 3.  Mei Ling Rein, ed.  Detroit: UXL, 2003. 0-7876-6477-4. 416p. in 2 vols, $99.00. Gr. 7-12.  Series:  same title, series 1 and 2.Imagine standing at the front desk facing these questions: how are M &Mís made?  What does M & M (not Eminem) mean anyway?  Answer (and godsend): CDs, Super Glue and Salsa: How Everyday Products Are Made.  Series 3 of this invaluable title answers all these questions and more.  The 2-volume set describes the manufacturing of common objects from raw materials to the final product. The design or invention of the product, quality control issues and future products are also discussed.  Each entry features sidebars with interesting facts (M & M? Forrest Mars and William Murrie), a running glossary for technical terms, and a resource list (books, periodicals and web sites) for further research.  Well illustrated and organized, these 2 new volumes are a welcome addition to a highly useful series.    Jennie Pittman

Davidson, Willie G. 100 Years of Harley-Davidson. Boston: Bulfinch Press, 2002. 0-8212-2819-6. $35.99. Gr. 6+. Celebrating the companyís 100th anniversary, this oversized coffee-table volume traces the history of the popular bike and its surrounding culture. Written by the company Vice President and grandson of the founder.                          Joyce Valenza

Davis, Lee. Man-Made Catastrophes. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2002. 0-8160-4418-X. $60.00. Grades 9+. Dividing the worst of man-made catastrophes into categoriesófires, explosions, maritime, space and railway disasters, nuclear and industrial accidents, etc.--Davis presents geographically and chronologically arranged lists of worsts, descriptions and black and white images.                   Joyce Valenza

Doll, Carol A., and Pamela Petrick Barron. Managing and Analyzing Your Collection: A Practical Guide for Small Libraries and Media Centers. Chicago: American Library Association, 2002.  93p  0-8389-0821-7.  $26.00. The authors simply and dramatically demonstrate the value of a collection evaluation with a brief 1984 report on the age and percent of the collection in a standard selection source. Its statistical points secured increased funding for a South Carolina elementary school. Such an analysis would be especially important for small and old collections and could also be used to guide purchases. After explaining techniques for sampling the collection, the authors present ìrecipesî for performing several types of qualitative and quantitative analysis on such a sample. They note, however, that it was two library school students who not only drew the sample but also collected and evaluated the data for the South Carolina report. The second part is a defense of weeding (collection reevaluation) with recommended guidelines. The text is supplemented by useful forms, spreadsheets, charts, graphs, and a bibliography. Professional                        Eleanor Howe

*Encyclopedia of Urban Cultures. Danbury:Grolier, 2002. 0-7172-5698. 4Vol. $399.00. Gr. 9-12. The detailed content in this four-volume set include sixteen thematic articles that deal with issues relating the comparative cultures of cities worldwide and 240 articles on particular international metropolitan areas.  Articles on the individual cities cover origins, past and present migrations, infrastructure, attractions, work, commerce, art and recreation, cuisine, dress, class, religious diversity, social problems, quality of life and future.  This is an excellent  scholarly treatment, perfect for upper level high school; it fills a major reference gap.     Joyce Valenza

Encyclopedia of World Geography, 2nd Edition. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002. 0-7614-7289-4. 24Vol. $459.95. Gr. 7+. The 24-volume set offers country and regional profiles. It is lavishly illustrated with photos, maps, charts, diagrams, and nature illustrations.  Sidebars offer critical related stories and statistics.  The regional profiles and country detail (covering habitats, industry, economy, peoples and culture, cities, government and more) separate this work from the others, making it a far more useful set for secondary reference.  Glossary.              Joyce Valenza

Goodwin, Joanne L., ed. Encyclopedia of Women in American History.  3 volumes.  Armonk, NY: Sharpe Reference, 2002.  0-7656-8038-6. 3 vols.  $299.  Gr. 7-12. This 3-volume series is an overview of American womenís history from pre-Revolutionary War to the present. Each volume is arranged chronologically and contains signed essays with references, articles in dictionary format, and primary source documents.  For quick information about people, events, literature, and topics in womenís history.          Pat Bender

Gralla, Preston.  Online Activities for Kids. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2002. 0-471-39073-9. 241 p. $14.95.  Gr. 3-8. Professional   The activities in this book are adaptable for use across the grades.  The seventy-eight activities cover all the major subject areas from science (kids can keep a moon log) to math (graphing baseball stats) to geography(take a virtual tour of Washington D.C.) to music and art (learn to do origami).  The activities will serve as a  good beginning for integrating technology and researching skills into the curriculum.  As with any book that lists web sites, be sure to check for dead links ahead of time. Computers/Internet              Sandra Krieg

Grant, R.G. Flight: 100 Years of Aviation. London: Smithsonian, 2002. 0-7894-8910-4. $50.00. Gr. 8+. This gorgeous coffee-table volume will meet reference needs and delight browses intrigued by the history of the last century of aviation history.                 Joyce Valenza                   

 * Great American Writers: Twentieth Century.  New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002. 0-7614-7240-1. 13 vols. $657. Gr. 9-12+. This is an excellent addition to a high school library where research projects are given on 20th century authors. Ninety American and Canadian authors are profiled and their work is analyzed in essays that range up to twenty-five pages in length. The collection includes classic authors such as Stephen Vincent Benet, Willa Cather, and Ernest Hemingway. Young adult authors including Robert Cormier, Judy Blume and S. E. Hinton are also studied.  Multicultural authors are  also part of the series and students will discover authors including Paul Laurence Dunbar, Arna Bontemps, and Gwendolyn Brooks.   With the wide range of authors, students will have a series that complements their study.  The beautiful art work contributes to an interesting layout that one could enjoy browsing through for general knowledge.   English students will find this work to be very interesting and useful. It is very readable and students will gain an understanding of the studied author and his/her works.  Each section contains sources for further reading including books, magazine and journal articles and websites.  I thought this was one of the best series I have seen about literature and students will be excited to see this addition to the library because of its superb presentation.   American Authors & Literary Criticism     Peg Kleppinger 

Greenwood Guide to American Popular Culture. Ed. M. Thomas Inge and Dennis Hall. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002.  4 volumes.  0-313-32367-4 $400.  Gr. 9+. This four-volume set presents an overview of all sorts of fascinating topics in American culture, with scholarly depth. Articles include lengthy explorations of the impact of the automobile, animation, amusement parks, film, propaganda, and much more!  This one is essential for high school research.  Your American history teachers will love it.                   Joyce Valenza

*Grolier Pro-Con Series. Danbury: Grolier, 2002. Set 0-7172-5638-3. $309.00. Gr. 9+. (note: reviewed on 2001 list) This six-volume set includes: The Individual and Society; Government; Economics; Environment; Science; and Media and is an excellent update for the many libraries who have grown to depend on the Taking Sides series.  Each book is divided into sections which a series of debates around a focused issue by notable experts on all sides.  ìKey mapsî graphically represent the central points of the debate and timelines and informational sidebars serve to enhance context.   An excellent purchase for any high school!        Joyce Valenza     

Gulevich, Tanya.  Encyclopedia of Easter, Carnival & Lent.  Illustrated by Mary Ann Stavros-Lanning.  Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2002.  0-7808-0432-5.  729 p.  $56.00.  Gr. 6-12. Subtitled, "A Guide to This Season's Joyous Celebration and Solemn Worship, Including Folk Customs, Religious Observances, History, Legends, Folklore, Symbols, and Related Days from Europe, the Americas, and Around the World."  The book also discusses Lent, or Carnival, other Easter-related days like Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, and Good Friday.  Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuot, the Roman Hilaria, Middle Eastern No Ruz, and May Day are also included. A good source for information on how these holidays are celebrated in different regions.             Pat Bender

Halstead, Judith Wynn.  Some of My Best Friends are Books : Guiding Gifted Reader from Preschool to High School. Scottsdale, AZ : Great Potential Press, 2002. 0-910707-51-0.  Adult, Professional. An exhaustive guide designed to provide reading guidance for gifted students.  Not only does it provide an extensive annotated bibliography of suggested titles, but it delves into the emotional and intellectual needs of gifted children and offers ideas on how to stimulate intellectual growth through book discussions.  A useful resource for librarians, gifted teachers and any adult working with gifted students.  But more than that, the ideas and books included in this volume could assist adults in working with students who are not necessarily labeled ìgifted.î                   Pat Naismith

Hanes, Sharon M. and Richard C.  Great Depression and New Deal Reference Library. Detroit, MI:UXL, 2002. 0-7876-6532-0. 3 vol. $145.00. Gr. 6+ . This set on the Great Depression and the New Deal separates information about this time period into an Almanac, Biographies and Primary Sources.  The Almanac provides the student with an overview of the time period covering its causes, the social programs enacted, the role of women, the role of mass media and much more. The volume of Primary Sources includes President Rooseveltís first fireside chat, as well as a hobo memoir, and songs of the times. Biographies cover everyone from the politicians, social reformers, and union leaders to the writers and entertainers of the times.  Each article in this set includes suggestions for further reading and web sites for learning more about these topics.  These volumes provide a wealth of information for student reports. Great Depression/New Deal/U.S. History      Sandra Krieg       

Hanson, Karen L., ed.  Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World. Gale Group, 2002.  0-7876-5423-X. $175. Gr. 5-8. A 4-volume encyclopedia arranged by country. Each of 60 country entries includes recipes and food related history, economics, geography, and customs.  Each volume includes a set index.   Good resource for Social Studies and Family & Consumer Science collaboration.              Michelle Stone

Herald, Diana Tixier and Bonnie Kunzel. Strictly Science Fiction : A Guide to Reading Interests. Greenwood Village, CO : Libraries Unlimited, 2002.  1-56308-893-2. 297 p. Gr. 7+ . A must-have guide for all science fiction enthusiasts.  Chapters analyze the sub-genres in science fiction, with detailed annotated bibliographies included.  Extensive indexes assure access to personal favorites, and allow the reader to explore other titles within the genre.     Pat Naismith         

1 of 2 *Hillstrom, Kevin and Laurie Collier Hillstrom.  Experiencing the American Civil War: Novels, Nonfiction Books, Short Stories, Poems, Plays, Films & Songs.  2vols.  Detroit:U.X.L., 2002.  0-7876-5585-6. $99.00 (set).  405p. Gr. 7-10. Describes 25 creative works about the Civil War written especially for young adults.  Some works are primary source materials, others, like Gone with the Wind, were created almost a century later.  Each work is described in detail, with a biography of the author, historical background, related titles, and suggestions for further reading. A great resource for students studying the Civil War.          Pat Bender                  

2 of 2 *Hillstrom, Kevin and Laurie Collier.  Experiencing the American Civil War: Novels, Nonfiction Books, Short Stories, Poems, Plays, Films and Songs.  Detroit: UXL, 2002. 406p. in 2 vols, 0-7876-5585-6 (set).  $99.00. Gr. 7-12. Series: Experiencing Eras and Events. Can you spell CROSS CURRICULAR?  Definitely, with the advent of UXLís new series, Experiencing Eras and Events.  The first titles in the series cover the Civil War and Holocaust; upcoming titles will cover the Harlem Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, and Vietnam War.  Experiencing the Civil War covers key novels, short stories, poems, plays, movies and songs written during or about the era.  Nonfiction books, such as The Boysí War, are also discussed.  Each essay on fiction provides information about the author and time period.  The plot, characters, themes and style of the work are also discussed. Essays about nonfiction discuss the author, style and theme of key titles, but focus primarily on topics related to the war. Bibliographies of related titles and information sources are sprinkled liberally throughout each volume. Up-to-date, attractive and comprehensive, this well written series will complement U.S. history classes, while providing a framework for interdisciplinary projects.  Highly recommended.                Jennie Pittman

International Wildlife Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002. 0-7614-7266-5. 22Vol. $715.00. Gr. 7+. Despite its steep price, this thoroughly revised edition of the classic set should be welcome in middle and high school libraries.  Joyce Valenza

Israel, Fred, ed., Major Peace Treaties of Modern History 1648-2000.  Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2002.  0-7910-6659-2.  6 vols. $250.00.  Gr. 11-Adult. This 6 volume reference set represents the most comprehensive attempt to gather entire peace treaties together in one compilation.  Seventeen treaties are published in English for the first time.  Each volume represents a geographical area and/or a major conflict or issue: World War I, disarmament, and the Middle East, to name a few.  Treaties include:  The Treaty of Paris 1783, The Congress of Vienna 1815, Civil War Surrender Documents 1865, the Geneva Accord 1954, the Vietnam Peace Treaty 1973, and various UN Security Council Resolutions of recent years. An invaluable source for researching world l conflicts and their conclusions.         Pat Bender

Kellogg, Ann et  al.  In an Influential Fashion: An Encyclopedia of Nineteenth- and Twentieth Century Fashion Designers and Retailers Who Transformed Dress.  Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002. $49.95.  0-313-31220-6  Gr. 7+ . Young fashionistas and business or design students will enjoy these profiles of 164 designers and retailers from around the world. Entries range from the mainstreamóHalton and Cartieróto the hip-hopóFUBU.  Appendices list designers and retailers by decade, country and specialty, as well as a directory of professional organizations        Joyce Valenza  

Kritzer, Herbert M. (ed.).  Legal Systems of the World : a Political, Social and Cultural Encyclopedia.  Santa Barbara, CA : ABC-CLIO, 2002.  4 v.  1-57607-231-2.  Gr. 7+.  Brief, but thorough, coverage of the laws and legal systems of not only the countries of the world, A-Z, but organizations such as World Trade Organization.  In addition to every state in the US, as well as historical systems such as the Ottoman Empire  and the Confederate States of America, this set also includes broader concepts such as Administrative Law, Customary Law Family Law and Feminist Jurisprudence.  What sets it apart from any other legal resource is the comprehensiveness of the coverage.  It even includes a section on the legal system of the Vatican, information virtually impossible to find elsewhere.  Pat Naismith

Lambert, David and The Diagram Group. Encyclopedia of Prehistory. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2002. 0-8160-4547-X. $60.50. Gr. 10+. The Diagram Groupís effective illustrations and the concise text make this one-volume work a perfect tool for students of anthropology, paleontology, and earth science.        Joyce Valenza  

Lerner, K. Lee & Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, eds. World of Genetics.  2 Vols. Detroit: Gale, 2002.  0-7876-4958-9. $198. Gr. 9-12+. The World of Genetics is a collection of 800 entries on topics from biographies of the pioneers of genetics to explanations of the current research.  The entries are arranged alphabetically for easy reference. Students who are interested in exploring the field of genetics would find these volumes very useful for an introduction to rapidly changing field of genetics. The AP Biology students would welcome this resource for class work and to become more familiar with the field of genetics.  The articles range in length from a couple of paragraphs to three pages. I read the section on genetic disorders and diseases and was amazed to see the picture of Joseph Merrickís (The Elephant Man) body covered with neurofibromatosis. Terms which are given in bold type are cross-references to an additional entry.  There are black and white photographs, graphs and charts which are used to explain different concepts.  Part of the series that includes World of Biology and World of Chemistry. The readability of the text makes it a reference source for upper level students.  Biology teachers will want to explore this two-volume set as a resource for their classes. Genetics     Peg Kleppinger & Pat Bender

*Leventhal, Fred, ed. Twentieth Century Britain: An Encyclopedia. Rev. ed. New York: Peter Lang, 2002.  592 p., [6] leaves of plates.  0-8204-5108-8.  $55.95. Gr. 10+. Almost 200 contributors have written highly informative signed articles that provide comprehensive coverage of British civilization in the twentieth century: biography, government, economic and social conditions, the media, the arts and entertainment, scholarship and learning, the military, war, and foreign relations. While the focus is on England, there are entries on Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and the Commonwealth. The very useful Topical Contents will help students identify a range of articles on their subject of study, and the text is supplemented by bibliographical references, a thorough index, a few illustrations, and a chronology. Two limitations to an otherwise highly commendable and useful volume are the small print and the paperback format. Great Britain - History                  Eleanor Howe               

McShane, Marilyn D. and Frank P. Williams, III. Encyclopedia of Juvenile Justice. Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publications, 2002. 0-7619-2358-6. 550 p.  Gr. 7+.Provides more than 200 up-to-date, concise, and readable entries dealing with a broad range of topics from alcohol and drug abuse to violence, death penalty, teen pregnancy and Internet crime.  The editors are authors of several criminal justice books and editors of the award-winning Encyclopedia of Prisons (Garland, 1997).  A useful resource that covers  historical and contemporary issues with real-world examples of juvenile justice in the United States.                Pat Naismith

Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia. Ed. Thomas A. Green.  (2 vols).  Santa Barbara: ABC CLIO,  2002.  1-57607-150-2. $175.00. 894 p.  Gr. 9-12. There are dozens of different kinds of martial arts throughout the world and this encyclopedia attempts to familiarize the reader with the various martial arts found in different countries.  The introduction by Thomas Green suggests that martial arts should be defined as systems that blend the physical components of combat with strategy, philosophy, tradition, and other features that distinguish them from pure physical reaction, The authors of the articles are both academics and practitioners of the martial arts.  Whether you are looking for information about the art or the societies that practice those arts, the articles are very informative.  Each essay is fully documented with a bibliography of materials to continue the research.  There are approximately 100 essays included in the two volumes. Black and white photographs can be found throughout the two volumes.  Students who are interested in the martial arts will find this encyclopedia very useful.  History classes that are investigating the cultures of different countries will learn another aspect of a countryís culture by reading about the martial arts that are practiced.  There is an extensive chronology that is quite interesting and puts the martial arts into historical perspective. The index is at the end of Volume 2.  Students who are better readers will be mesmerized by the story of the martial arts.  Martial Arts                    Peg Kleppinger

Minahan, James. Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations: Ethnic and National Groups Around the World. Westport,CT: Greenwood, 2002. 4 volumes. $475. 0-313-32109-4.  Gr. 9+. ìThe definitive reference on the nationalism and national groups that helped to shape 20th-century politics, and are poised to shape the world of tomorrow.î The more than 300 A to Z entries answer questions about the most difficult to find groups.  Interestingly Texas and California are considered homeless states.          Joyce Valenza

Morris, Desmond. Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square, 2002. $24.95. Gr. 6+. 456p. A concise, but comprehensive treatment of the breeds by the noted animal behaviorist. Black and white illustrations.       Joyce Valenza

Ng, Wendy.  Japanese American Internment During World War II: A History and Reference Guide.  Westport, CT:Greenwood, 2002.  0-313-31375-X  $45  Gr. 9+. This is a comprehensive guide to anyone studying the internment and an important addition to your World War II reference.  Ng provides a full history of Japanese Americans before, during and after, black and white photographs, biographies, as well as a primary source section and annotated bibliography, which includes websites and film resources.  Joyce Valenza

*Nolan, Cathal J. Greenwood Encyclopedia of International Relations.  Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002. 4 vol. $475. 0-313-30741-5. Gr. 9+. Six thousand A-Z entries offer students much-needed context to understand the complicated relationships of the nations of our modern world.  If you can afford it, youíll return to this one again and again!                  Joyce Valenza

Oakes, Elizabeth H. International Encyclopedia of Women Scientists. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2002. 0-8160-4381-7. $82.50. Gr. 9+. Profiles of 500 female scientists from 400 BC to present.  These fascinating stories provide fine alternative starting points for student research in science history.          Joyce Valenza       

Office of Intellectual Freedom. Intellectual Freedom Manual. Chicago: American Library Association, 2002. 0-8389-3519-2.  $45.00.  This volume should be in every librarian's professional library because it gathers many important documents, policies, and doctrines of library usage in one place. From the concepts of intellectual freedom and rights of users to how to deal with challenges to how to develop internet usage policies and more, this volume contains much information that all librarians should know. It includes the revised ALA Code of Ethics and  Freedom to Read statement, and is updated from the previous edition to include information on the Internet as well as electronic access issues, including such topics as filtering software and developing an Internet usage policy for public libraries. There is a wealth of information for librarians in this volume. Professional  Nancy Chrismer 

Pendergast, Tom, and Sara Pendergast. World War I Almanac. Detroit: UXL- Gale Group, 2002.  0-7876-5476-0. 210p. $55.00 Gr. 7-12. This volume in UXL's World War I series could be read cover to cover by interested students as well as it can be used as an excellent reference book.  The book begins with a timeline, a glossary, and a reader's guide, which includes project and activity ideas for teachers. There are twelve chapters which tell the story of World War I, illustrated with black and white photographs, and enhanced by sidebars of explanatory material and notes. A comprehensive index allows students to quickly find specific information in the text. It is easy to read, and is a valuable addition to World War I collections.                    Nancy Chrismer

Pendergast, Tom and Sara Pendergast. World War I: Primary Sources. Detroit: UXL-Gale Group, 2002. 0-7876-5478-7. 215p.  $55.00   Gr. 7-12. This unique volume gathers together many important documents to help students understand World War I. Excellent for research or  browsing,  the speeches, letters, telegrams, treaties, posters, poems, literary excerpts, and other documents provide glimpses of the war  from many different viewpoints. A timeline gives an overview of the events, and each primary source document has explanatory text and notes. Lists of additional sources of information are included in each chapter.  There is also a glossary at the beginning of the book which explains terms that are used throughout.  A valuable resource for World War I research.               Nancy Chrismer

Peoples of Europe. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2002. 0-7614-7378-5. 11Vol. $329.95. Gr. 5+. Organized alphabetically, this beautifully illustrated cultural treatment of the nations of the world will serve well for middle school projects.  Articles examine: religion, myth and ritual; houses and homes; clothing; language; health and education; food and drink; social life; arts and crafts; and music and dance. Includes recipes, timelines, glossaries, and interesting sidebars. Joyce Valenza

*Presidents From . . . Washington Through Monroe (0-313-31387-3); T. Roosevelt Through Coolidge (0-313-31388-1)s;Hoover Through Truman (0-313-31441-1); Reagan Through Clinton (0-313-31411-X): Debating the Issues in Pro and Con Primary Documents.  Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002.  $59.95 ea. Gr. 10+. Any seriously academic high school US History program will welcome this series which engages students in such great debates as the Whiskey Insurrection, the Missouri Compromise, Womenís Suffrage, the Panama Canal, Prohibition, Social Security, Civil Rights, McCarthyism, Gun Control, Peacekeeping in Rwanda, and the first Persian Gulf War.  Each section sets the issue in context and offers short, well-selected readable documents for students to analyze. Joyce Valenza

Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices.  J Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann, eds.  4vol. 1-576-7-223-1 Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2002.  $385. Gr. 9-12. This full discussion of the "contemporary religious community" around the world includes core essays and basic data about sixteen major religious traditions, as well as entries describing the religious situation in each of 240 countries.  Approachable, scholarly content written by experts in the fields of sociology, anthropology, religious history, and government.  The set includes black and white maps, tables and is an important addition to any serious high school reference collection.                  Joyce Valenza

Rubenstein, Jeff and Adam Robinson. Cracking the PSAT/NMSQT. New York; The Princeton Review, 2002. 0-375-76254X. 328p. $19.00. Gr. 10-12. This reference source helps students prepare for high-stakes tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Tests and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Tests. It explains what the tests are, how they are scored, and gives strategies for understanding the test questions and procedures. Also included are sample questions in math, verbal and grammatical skills, vocabulary, writing skills, and the book contains practice tests and a vocabulary list. For those students who want to be as prepared as possible for these tests.            Nancy Chrismer

Science, Technology, and Society:  The Impact of Science in the 20th Century.  Detroit: Thomson Gale. 2002.  0-7876-5649-6 (Set).  476p. $145. Gr. 8-12. A fascinating exploration of 20th Century scientific discoveries in life sciences, mathematics, medicine, physical sciences, and technology.  Each chapter includes a chronology of discoveries in the specific scientific field, an overview of each discovery, relevant essays, a glossary, and brief biographies of scientists involved in the discovery.  3 Volume set.  Each volume includes a set index.     Michelle Stone

Serritella, Judy.  Look Again! Appealing Bulletin Board Ideas for Secondary Students. Worthington, OH: Linworth, 2002.1-58683-053-8 $36.95            Professional   Very replicable ideas collected from media specialists around the world and appropriate for any secondary library. Them-atically arranged.  Includes interactive quizzes. Appendices offers literary quotations, calendars, and samples.  Joyce Valenza

Sherrow, Victoria. A to Z of American Women Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2002. 0-8160-4556-9. $44.00. Gr. 9-12.High school business departments will appreciate these profiles of women models in the business arena.  Suggestions for further reading include books, journals, and links.                       Joyce Valenza

Stand Up Speak Out. London: Two Can Publishing, 2002.1-58728-541-X. 96 p. $9.95. Gr. 6-Adult. Professional      The international organization Peace Child has gathered together poetry, drawings, and stories on childrenís rights.  The selections are grouped by topics such as AIDS, child labor, and child soldiers and war.  It also includes information about the UNís Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEFí s work in the world and action ideas.  This is a book teachers can use as a resource to raise their studentsí awareness regarding the lives of children both at home and around the world. Civil Rights                    Sandra Krieg

*Teeple, John B. Timelines of World History. London: DK Publishing, 2002. 0-7894-8926-0. $40.00.  Gr. 8+. If you buy one history reference book this year, this is the one.  The timelines are gloriously illustrated and the work is fabulously organized.  The maps of ìThe World in . .î allow the work to function as an historical atlas.  Each period features overview essays and columns follow history in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas and Australia. The glossary/analytical index at the end includes timelines for each nation.                  Joyce Valenza

Tracey, Grant.  Filmography of American History.  Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002. 0-313-31300-8 $59.95 Professional   This one volume will nicely guide US history teachers through 200 films to support curriculum. Times are given so that teachers can plan to show historically relevant clips. Films are grouped in the following broad categories: Before the Civil War;  The Civil War;  Way West; Country vs. the City; Immigration and the Challenge to the Anglo-Conformity; World War I; the Depression;  World War II; Post-War Alienation and Despair; the Atomic Bomb/Cold War Paranoia; Civil Rights and the American Dream; Viet Nam; Counterculture Rebellion; Watergate, Political Cynicism and Hope.  An appendix lists Multicultural and Women-Centered Films.  A very handy volume for any school using video or building a collection.                     Joyce Valenza  

Tucker, Spencer C.  Naval Warfare: An International Encyclopedia.  Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 2002. 3 vols. 1-57607-219-3. $295.00. Adult. The editor of such reference works as the Encyclopedia of the Korean War: Political, Social, and Military History, and the Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: Political, Social, and Military History scores another hit with Naval Warfare: An International Encyclopedia.  Richly illustrated with over 200 illustrations and 30 maps, these 3 volumes cover naval warfare from ancient times to the present.  With over 1500 articles by 157 contributors, Tucker covers naval battles, ships, and commanders, as well as tactics and strategies.  Most entries include cross references and brief bibliographies for the interested reader.  This comprehensive title also provides a extensive glossary, a detailed index, and a bibliography of 350 sources.  International in scope, the articles include such recent events as the recovery of the Russian submarine Kursk, as well as recent research on the Maine and the Bismarck.  An excellent, comprehensive work on the subject.   Jennie Pittman

UXL Hispanic American Library, 2nd ed.  Sonia G. Benson, Nicolas Kanellos and Bryan Ryan, eds.  Detroit: UXL, 2003.  0-7876-6602-5 (set).  $185 for 4 vol set.  Gr. 7-12  (series reviewóindividual title reviews below). ìNew and improvedî is an apt description for the 2nd edition of this valuable reference set.  First published in 1997, these updated titles provide detailed information about Hispanic American history and culture.  All titles in the series include new information not available in the 1st edition.  A paperback cumulative index, covering all 4 volumes is provided. Highly recommended for all middle and high school libraries that serve Hispanic American communities.  

UXL Hispanic American Almanac (0-7876-6598-3) $55.00. Gr. 7-12.

Beginning with their original cultures (Native American, Spanish, and African), the Almanac traces the history of Hispanic Americans, including their immigration, from the early days of Spanish explorers to todayís immigrants from Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba.  This volume describes the everyday life of Hispanic Americans (family, religion and work), as well as the culture and influence of Hispanic Americans in such areas as language, literature, theater, music, art, and sports.  A glossary, bibliography, and index are provided.      

UXL Hispanic American Biography (0-7876-6599-1) $55.00. Gr. 7-12.

All Biography entries have been updated, with 8 new entries added. Accompanied by a photo or illustration, each article covers the early life, work and contribution of Hispanic men and women in such fields as business, medicine, science, government, religion, education, literature, art, music, fashion, acting, and entertainment.  Indexed by name and subject, each entry offers a bibliography of related titles.

UXL Hispanic American Chronology (0-7876-6600-9) $55.00. Gr. 7-12.

Chronology follows significant events in the history of Hispanic Americans, from 25,000 B.C. to 2002.  This annotated timeline focuses on the social, political, cultural and educational achievements of Hispanic men and women, who immigrated from Spanish speaking countries in Europe and Latin America, as well as Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba.  Over 100 photos and illustrations enrich the text.  A glossary and index are also provided.

UXL Hispanic American Voices (0-7876-6603-3) $55.00. Gr. 7-12.

Voices provides 21 primary sources, either full text or excerpts, on such topics as affirmative action, bilingualism, family life, civil rights, discrimination, work, health, housing and immigration.  Entries include speeches, memoirs, essays, and letters from eminent Hispanic Americans.   These documents are grounded in history, with the help of introductory essays and fact boxes. Indexed by name and subject, each entry offers a bibliography of related titles. A timeline of important events in Hispanic American history is also provided.         Jennie Pittman

*UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. Laura B. Tyle, ed.  Detroit: UXL, 2003. 10vol. , 0-7876-6465-0 (set) $425.00.  Gr. 7-12.    With almost 750 biographies of famous people from history and today, UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography deserves a spot on your reference shelf.  Selected to support most middle and high school curriculum, entries include notable people in U.S. and world history, literature, science, mathematics, art, social science and entertainment.  Accompanied by a photo or illustration, each essay covers the early life, work and importance of men and women from many cultures and ethnic groups.  Indexed by name, subject and nationality, this set also provides a bibliography of related sources with each entry.  Highly recommended.      Jennie Pittman

Valenza, Joyce Kasman.  Power Research Tools: Learning Activities and Posters.  Chicago: American LibraryAssociation, 2003.  0-8389-0838-1. 113 p. $55.  This ready-to-use manual is a wonderful resource for todayís busy librarians.  Ms. Valenza has provided teachers and students with a resource that breaks down the research process into various segments including searching, ethics, evaluation, organizing and communicating.  The book includes a series of 18 bright and colorful posters that review the important research and library skills.  Those posters will be hanging in school libraries across the nation because they showcase the skills that are essential for good research.  The book will assist librarians and teachers as they work with students to develop their skills as information seekers and will also guide teachers in their development of research projects. The skills taught in the book correlate with American Association of School Librariansí Information Power: The Nine Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning.  This volume is a follow-up to Power Tools, which offered practical tools for the school librarian to manage an effective library program.  I have used various portions of this book in recent weeks and have been delighted with the suggestions and handouts that are provided by Ms. Valenza.  I would highly recommend this book for libraries!  Library Reference                      Peg Kleppinger

Van Nostrandís Scientific Encyclopedia.  9th Edition. New York: Wiley, 2002. 0-471-33230-5 $295.00 Gr. 9+ . If itís time, replace this standard science reference that belongs in every high school collection. The updated version includes references to modern technology and features new treatments of such areas as genetic engineering, medicine, diseases, global warming, and much more.        Joyce Valenza

Weil, Danny.  School Vouchers and Privatization: A Reference Handbook.  Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2002. 1-576073467. 319 p.  $45.   Gr. 12/Adult  As part of the Contemporary Education Issues, this volume would be of particular interest to teachers working on advanced degrees in education and/or students doing research on recent controversies in education.  The book has a pro-con format that debates the issues surrounding school vouchers.  There are several arguments included within each section that debate the privatization of schools, school choice programs, political differences and other controversies related to educational choice.  Entire sections are devoted to the study of the research, the laws and various programs that can be found across the nation.  There is also a directory of organizations, associations and government agencies that impact on the programs.  There are at least 11 other volumes in this series that focus on additional issues in education. Education    Peg Kleppinger

Wilkins, Sally.  Sports and Games of Medieval Cultures.  Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2002.  0-313-31711-9.  $49.95  Gr. 7+. Arranged by region, this unique work offers the perspective that ìby studying these sports and games we learn much about the cultures and traditions of our ancestors.î  Includes diagrams and black and white images and covers both the familiar and the obscure.  Useful for those ever-popular units on the Middle Ages.    Joyce Valenza

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