GRAY, Leon . Life in Extreme Places . ISBN 978-1-4339-8715-1 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-8718-2 . LC 2012026470. GRAY, Leon . Plant Classification . ISBN 978-1-4339-8719-9 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-8722-9 . LC 2012023552. ROYSTON, Angela . Animal Classification . ISBN 978-1-4339-8703-8 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-8706-9 . LC 2012026469. ROYSTON, Angela . Life Cycles . ISBN 978-1-4339-8711-3 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-8714-4 . LC 2012026471. SPILSBURY, Louise &; Richard Spilsbury . Adaptation and Survival . ISBN 978-1-4339-8699-4 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-8702-1 . LC 2012026472. ea vol: 32p. (Life Science Stories Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Gareth Stevens. 2013. PLB $26.60; ebook $26.60. Gr 3-5 This series tries to relay complex science information with unsuccessful results. The content is presented in chapter spreads with little space devoted to the main text. Photos (usually two) and a text box fill up the remaining real estate. The quality of the color photos is satisfactory, but occasionally they are misrepresented by their captions or are at odds with the main text. There are several instances that lack necessary diagrams and labels to clarify the science. Poor word choice and simplistic definitions detract from the instructional value. For example, Classification describes a shark's cartilage as "bendier than bone." Overall, individual volumes may serve as springboards for a unit or to fill a gap in a collection, but many more successful titles are available.