Gr 1-3-All four of these titles oversimplify complicated topics. The presentations consist of 10 pages of text with corresponding color photos. Entire topics, such as each branch of the U.S. military, are covered in seven to nine sentences. Boldface type indicates terms that are included in the glossary, but there is some inconsistency from title to title. Phonetic pronunciations do not always agree with Merriam-Webster. Most of the captions are repetitions of the texts. Kevlar, used in body armor, is described as "stuff" rather than fabric or material. The Coast Guard's motto is called a "saying." Readers are given the impression that all one has to do to join the military is to show up at boot camp and go through the "hard training"; and in order to stay safe, the bomb technicians ride in a bomb truck. The space shuttle Columbia did not crash as stated here. No mention is made of the Apollo launchpad fire in the chapter on space program accidents. A slim index and a link to the publisher's Web site are included in each title. Look further if there is a need for materials on these topics at this level.-Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.