Gr 8 Up-There are many books that cover this landmark decision but several interesting points set this one apart from the crowd. It opens with an "Important People, Places, and Terms" section and a detailed chronology that takes readers from an 1849 school-segregation case to the 2003 University of Michigan rulings on student diversity. The book includes a narrative overview, biographies of individuals involved, and primary sources. This latter, impressive section gives this treatment of Brown v. Board of Education depth and promotes a greater empathy from readers. Numerous sidebars provide background information such as describing how the civil court system works or the founding of the NAACP. Archival photos and shaded boxes help to break up the more tedious legal details of the text. Telgen has done a fine job of making this topic accessible to and engaging for today's students. Look no further to find an all-in-one source for class assignments.-Lori Matthews, Loyola School, New York City Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

This series focuses on the most important events of the past century, with each entry covering one event and following the same structure. The titles are divided into three main sections: Narrative Overview, Biographies, and Primary Sources. The Internet Revolution explains how the Internet was conceived during the Cold War and used as a tool of the United States government for several decades. It explores how and why it was made available to the general public in the late 1980s, quickly exploding into the indispensable tool it is today. The book carefully and clearly describes the differences between often-interchanged terms such as "Internet" and "World Wide Web," and provides interesting anecdotes of how everyday tools (such as e-mail) were invented. Effects of the Internet on commerce, the stock market, and society are explored in detail. Brown v. Board of Education provides a thorough history of the social and political events surrounding the 1954 Supreme Court decision making school segregation illegal. It also gives readers a clear explanation of how a case makes its way to the Supreme Court. Important historical figures, such as Thurgood Marshall and Chief Justice Earl Warren are profiled and placed in historical context, alongside interviews with people who experienced segregation. Books in the series are meticulously researched and very well organized, making them excellent sources for research. Other titles include Prohibition (Omnigraphics, 2004), Women's Suffrage (2005) and Watergate (2004). The authors are careful to include information from all sides of controversial issues (such as a current belief that resegregating schools would allow African American students a more supportive environment for learning). The series is a good choice for schools that teach twentieth-century history and current events, although the Internet book will be quickly outdated.-Stephanie L. Petruso.