FEIGENBAUM, Aaron . Emergency at Three Mile Island . ISBN 978-1-59716-364-4 . LC 2006031635. GREENE, Jacqueline Dembar . The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire . ISBN 978-1-59716-359-0 . LC 2006026707. SCHER, Linda . The Texas City Disaster . diag. ISBN 978-1-59716-363-7 . LC 2006029664. ea vol: 32p. (Code Red Series). maps. photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Bearport . 2007. PLB $23.96. Gr 3-6 Titanic describes the 1912 collision of this "unsinkable" ship with an iceberg, and the resulting horror. Three Mile Island discusses the 1979 malfunction of a nuclear reactor that could have cost thousands of lives and devastated the area but, fortunately, did not. A 1911 fire in a New York City sweatshop where 146 people died because of dangerous conditions is the subject of Triangle , which also describes resulting changes in workers' rights. Texas covers the 1947 explosion of a ship loading fertilizer that set off a chain reaction in which 550 people died. The disaster might have been prevented by warning labels on the fertilizer. In each of these titles, the writing is clear and concise, and nothing is described purely for shock value; the facts are allowed to speak for themselves. The books are liberally laced with pertinent period photographs and numerous quotes from people who played significant roles in the events. Brief profiles of these figures are also provided. While none of the books actively seeks to place blame, there is also no attempt to gloss over failings. Emphasis is on the laws and policies that have been adopted to ensure that such tragedies do not reoccur. Useful additions to explain painful but important pieces of history. Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Twelve double-page spreads introduce these two disasters, providing some background, describing what happened, and discussing reactions to the events. While the writing never completely conveys the enormity of these catastrophes, the photographs show some of the drama. A final spread briefly profiles four or five people with roles in the tragedies. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.