PORTERFIELD, Jason . How a Recession Affects You . ISBN 978-1-4488-8345-5 . LC 2012018784. STRAZZABOSCO, John . How Spending and Saving Affect You . ISBN 978-1-4488-8344-8 . LC 2012017552. ea vol: 80p. (Your Economic Future Series). bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Rosen . 2013. lib. ed. $33.25. ebook available. Gr 7 Up Highly accessible entries about the often-complicated world of economics. Each book opens with a fictional scenario showing how the economy personally impacts an individual, such as rising prices, losing a job, or delaying purchases. The factors and mechanisms driving the U.S. economy are examined level by level, from global, federal, state and municipalities, big corporations and local businesses to families and individuals. Statistical data, legislative actions, historical events, and expert opinions are integrated smoothly into the clear, informative writing. The texts feature sidebars offering concise supplementary material; large, color photographs, and smooth transitions between chapters. The books focus on how inflation, recession, and spending and saving affect and, in turn, are affected by people, businesses, cities, states, the nation, and the world. The authors provide a balanced discussion, presenting the arguments for and against hotly debated issues such as bank bailouts, federal stimulus plans, and government regulations. These books give excellent overviews of core economic concepts, such as import/export, supply and demand, inflation, recession, and depression. They also promote financial literacy and provide an understanding of economic basics. They take economics from a broad, world view, systematically peeling back the levels (federal, state, city, business) down to the individual. June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA