Books are an ideal way for young people to explore and confront complicated social issues. The social sciences, in particular, can help children and teens navigate the world around them with the use of straightforward, reliable information and helpful resources. The series below cover a variety of topics that students will most likely encounter in their daily lives—especially those looking to improve themselves (through physical and mental well-being) and the world around them by understanding how society works and how an individual can have a positive role. In addition, some of the series touch upon current events and topics of high interest for kids and will benefit public or school library collections.

Elementary

K-Gr 2 –Community-based assignments to help students improve and expand their understanding of the world are a staple in elementary schools. This series introduces young readers to different areas, using very simple sentence structure to describe common main features such as transportation methods, local government, and housing. The text lightly touches upon how different communities can interact, and puts larger society into context for children just starting to learn about the world. Full-page color photos on every other page catch the eye and effectively illustrate concepts. A brief index is provided, and although there is no formal glossary, there is a “words to know” component that shows a picture of an important concept along with the word. VERDICT A basic but informative introduction to a study of communities.

Gr 4-6 –Climate change is an important current issue, often the focus of school projects and assignments. These volumes present environmental issues from a local and global perspective, framing the discussion around kids’ everyday lives. Topics discussed are timely, including various types of pollution (e-waste), fracking and its effects, the importance of recycling, and more. While the information is at times dire, it is fact-based, not alarmist. “How You Can Help” sections make a connection between personal activities and global effects, motivating kids to get involved with community cleanup and to write to encourage politicians to pass laws to improve the environment. VERDICT This informative series will inspire young readers to join the cause for climate change.

Gr 2-5 –This series aims to inform children about nutritional issues and encourage healthy and diverse food selections. Various topics are covered, including the five food groups, veganism, and food safety. The format is eye-catching, the large, highly readable text complemented by captioned color photographs. A “Try This” section at the end of each book provides different ways students can get invested in their nutritional health by offering tips like checking expiration dates and keeping a food journal, along with mini-recipe ideas. “Fun Facts” provide additional tidbits on vitamins. VERDICT A simple yet engaging look at food and nutrition for elementary-age readers.

Gr 2-5 –Delving deep into the specific situations that military families face, these titles aim to educate young readers about the history of and difference among military branches—useful whether readers have a relative in the military or not. By employing a simple first-person narrative from the perspective of a child, complicated concepts (how people enlist, what training entails, and what life on an army base is like) are broken down into easily understandable terms. The discussion of how life will change when a parent or loved one joins the military, and the difficulties of deployment, is well done and necessary. Captioned color photos help to further illustrate the concepts being discussed in the text. VERDICT This series is useful for military families and general collections as well.

Gr 4-6 –Like a science fiction dream come true, drones are quickly becoming part of our daily lives. This collection helps students familiarize themselves with the ways drones are used, their design, and their different applications in modern life, from filming movies to assisting with search-and-rescue missions. The text highlights the positive uses of drones for commercial and entertainment purposes but also touches upon concerns about privacy and safety (as well as problematic military applications), and discusses how the FAA is developing strategies to regulate their use. While the work is text-heavy and has some mechanical jargon, the clarity of the writing along with the glossary will assist hesitant readers. Color photos and text boxes break up pages and supplement the narrative, keeping the interest level high. VERDICT A good resource for kids curious about technology.

Gr 3-6 –It is never too early to develop a new skill, and coding is quickly becoming a popular activity for kids and adults alike. This series provides a basic overview of seven popular programs, devices, and coding languages. The goal is to encourage students to experiment in order to increase ability and appreciation. Each title provides details on how to get started with the specific systems, while differentiating among their respective applications, capabilities, and features. Despite its accessibility, some prior technical knowledge might be required before diving into coding as outlined in the books. A glossary does assist with this, as do multiple charts and numbered steps provided for certain processes. VERDICT A comprehensive look at the basics of coding, this series is perfect as an introduction or addition for tech-savvy collections.

Gr 3-6 –In a clear, appealing, and non-partisan way, these titles explain the responsibilities of the different branches of government, delineate what each political position entails, and give ways in which kids can involve themselves politically in their schools or communities. There is a lot of specific information discussed about topics, such as candidate eligibility, campaigning, and elections, but it’s presented in an easy-to-understand language with the help of text boxes, charts, and captioned color photos. With many political terms being used, the glossary is useful here, and the vocabulary words are bolded throughout for easy lookup. VERDICT An engaging look at government and politics that will help students relate to modern elections and inspire them to get involved.

Gr 4-6 –As the Internet is increasingly a part of all of our lives, it is important for children to gain awareness of their role in a larger digital society. This series promotes effective and responsible use of technology by discussing topics such as internet safety, smart Internet searches, reliable sources, cyberbullying, and many others. It also stresses the permanent nature of the Internet, and its ability to impact future employment opportunities, an important concept for children to learn early. The information is detailed and organized, with visual aides (photos, diagrams) to accompany the text. VERDICT This series would be a useful addition to any public or school library collection to assist with lessons on technology and how to be a good digital citizen.

Gr 4-6 –The youth of today are surrounded by the Internet. Given the correct resources, young adults can effectively navigate both the good and bad aspects. By covering relevant topics, such as privacy, gaming, and cyberbullying, this series aims to show teens how to positively shape their online world. Each chapter heading is a question, such as “What Shouldn’t I Post on Social Media?” Text boxes with supplemental information and skill-sharpening exercises are found throughout the titles. A “Fact Sheet” section at the end of each volume highlights important concepts in bullet points. VERDICT A useful series to help young people have a positive experience when dealing with online technology.

K-Gr 2 –Though physically small, these titles are packed with useful information for early readers learning about their body systems. The simple presentation of how to identify, confront, and prevent sometimes scary situations (losing a tooth, or dealing with allergies) will do a great deal to help alleviate fears and anxiety. A “Fast Facts” section provides additional information, while color photos and diagrams complement the text. A “Your Turn” section at the end of each book has kids answer true/false questions to see what information they retained, and “Just for Fun” sections end with a lighthearted health-related joke. VERDICT This series is an upbeat introduction to health and body-related issues for young readers.

Gr 2-4 –This series aims to help elementaryage kids become more aware of their physical and emotional health by developing good habits, with an overall sense of well-being. Commonly discussed health-related issues are explored (nutrition and exercise), along with less common, like getting enough sleep and decreasing stress levels. In addition to explaining why certain things are beneficial or not, the text gives helpful tips on incorporating easy ways to get fit and eat better. Kids are encouraged to take agency over their health by doing things like creating sleep journals and talking through issues with a trusted adult. This series has a positive and cheerful tone, with the topics discussed in a relatable way. VERDICT While not groundbreaking, this series is informative and will appeal to young readers.

Middle to High School

Gr 10 Up –Using a “From the Headlines” approach, this series explores several current news topics and analyzes them in relation to current, past, and future events. There is a range of topics, some of which are considered contentious or controversial, but the authors approach them from multiple viewpoints with sensitivity, balance, and impartiality. The topics are well-researched and indexed; additional resources, footnotes, and extended source notes are provided. These are relatively dense volumes, but the text is clear and accessible. The use of boxes, charts, and color photos successfully adds information while providing relief from the formal text. VERDICT Beneficial for research projects, but also useful for general interest reading and to encourage critical thinking about complicated issues.

Gr 9 Up –With eating disorders an ever-present problem among youth, this series strives to help those directly and indirectly affected by discussing the causes, associated risks, and possible treatments of various conditions. Both the internal and external factors that might cause eating disorders are discussed, along with potential warning signs and how to seek treatment. The text uses straightforward and nonjudgmental language. Tips for creative mental exercises are given with the goal of addressing and changing negative thought patterns to help readers achieve a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. Studies are cited, as well as anecdotes to illustrate realistic examples. Common misconceptions about eating disorders are debunked. This series encourages readers to educate themselves, ask questions of medical professionals, and practice self-acceptance. VERDICT A well-rounded resource for teens either seeking assistance or merely studying the issue.

Gr 10 Up –Many teens facing difficult issues don’t always have the proper resources to deal with them. This series strives to fill the gap by identifying and addressing potentially life-altering issues (stress, violence, depression, and addiction) in a straightforward, nonjudgmental way. Statistics, anecdotes, and pop culture references are used to discuss the roots of these issues. The text also explores teen-friendly solutions—for example, an app that helps maintain sobriety. Despite containing a lot of text, clearly labeled sections within each chapter make this easy to navigate. These titles would be most appropriate for older readers, with mature themes (drugs, alcohol, and violence), but may also be helpful to younger students dealing with these issues. VERDICT This series successfully encourages teens to think critically about complicated issues, while offering resources for support.

While all of the social science series reviewed above offer tools on individual and community improvement, there are a few standouts. In terms of health-related series, there is something for every age group. Children’s Press’s “Rookie Read-About Health” helps the youngest of readers learn about how their body works. Lerner’s “Healthy Eating” targets school-age kids to help them make smart choices. Rosen YA’s “Conquering Eating Disorders” is beneficial for teens struggling with these issues or for those who might know someone suffering with a disorder. For the politically minded, Gareth Stevens’s “Who’s Your Candidate” offers a complete picture of the political process and helps them understand how government works in simple terms. On the tech side, Powerkids’ “Kids Can Code” provides a comprehensive look at a skill that is fast becoming popular with kids, especially in library programs and maker spaces. Lerner’s “What Is Digital Citizenship?” will help students have a safe, positive online experience.

Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library