Gr 3-8–Middle grade readers will love this series focusing exclusively on major bays throughout the United States, including recognizable bays (Massachusetts Bay, San Francisco Bay) as well as those that might be less familiar (Apalachicola Bay and Grand Traverse Bay). These comprehensive volumes are divided into five chapters that focus on each bay’s geographic, environmental, historic, and ecosystemic elements. Their contributions to their local economies and the environmental threats caused by human intervention are covered. New vocabulary, like estuaries and tributaries, floodplain, and geosphere, are defined in a glossary. An exercise that asks readers to pretend they are a loggerhead sea turtle will encourage engagement. Bonus: Future activists will love the short passage in the back of each book that provides practical tips on how they can be environmental advocates. VERDICT This series, containing colorful photographs and rich information, champions bays as some of our most important environmental resources. Ideal for larger collections.