Part of the series called “A Class of Their Own,” this photo-rich book addresses the biology of plants in general and then gets into specifics. Well organized and easily understood by middle-grade readers, the book explains the life cycles and reproductive strategies of different kinds of plants, such as non-seed-bearing plants (mosses and liverworts), ferns, gymnosperms (conifers), and angiosperms (flowering plants). For angiosperm, the authors write, “Flowers are the plant’s way of advertising that lovely pollen and nectar are to be found within. It is their purpose to attract animals that can carry pollen from one plant to another. Certain flowers are so closely tied to the insects that pollinate them that if the insects die out, so do the flowers.” Although there is a section and several sidebars describing the ways that humans and plants interact, this book is mostly about the plants’ role in the food chain and the environment. The brilliant photos and illustrations keep the eyes moving across the page. Although the series title is confusing because the term class is also used when grouping species correctly, it is an excellent book. Backmatter includes a glossary, list of more information, and index. Reviewer: Amy S. Hansen