(3) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. From heroes and heroines to bandits and beloved American icons, these balanced titles consistently sort fact from fiction and confirm each figure's place in history. First chapters successfully introduce the subjects and draw readers in by describing dynamic events. Archival photographs, maps, primary sources, and sidebars combine with dry but informative texts to complete these well-documented biographies. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Americans--The Spirit of a Nation titles: Jesse James, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Billy the Kid, and Johnny Appleseed.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Ritter deftly sets this sports story in the Wild West, whipping up a quick-moving tall tale full of unexpected twists. Billy the Kid arrives in a California town where the local baseball team is challenging the Chicago White Stockings for high stakes. Ritter mingles historical figures with characters of his own creation at poker tables, baseball games, ice cream socials, and gunfights. Good fun.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Outlaws and Lawmen of the Wild West series. These slight biographies "drawn from firsthand reports" combine known facts about Old West outlaws and lawmen with the many legends about their exploits, leaving questions about historical accuracy. Nevertheless, readers will be drawn into the books, especially when their subjects' lives overlap. These new editions have been revised and updated, including more dramatic covers. Many photographs appear throughout. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Outlaws and Lawmen of the Wild West titles: Belle Starr, Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, Jesse James, Wild Bill Hickok, and Wyatt Earp.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA Taylor presents a fictional account of a desperate teenager who participates in a train robbery, is pursued by a posse, and dies young in a gunfight. The story is strong, and Taylor successfully adds psychological complexity to the shoot-em-up Western. In an author's note Taylor explains that his Billy bears no resemblance to the real cold-blooded outlaw.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Best of the West Biographies series. Each of these books tells the story of a legend of the American West: one lawman, an African-American cowboy, and two notorious outlaws. Archival photographs and drawings enhance the sometimes choppy texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers theses Best of the West Biographies titles: Bill Pickett, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, and Wyatt Earp.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These books present informative looks at eight American figures. For the most part, the authors dispell myths and discuss each subject's flaws as well as strengths--Billy the Kid and Mary Todd Lincoln are most successful at this, Custer is less well rounded. Black-and-white archival photos, illustrations, maps, and sidebars help to establish time and place. A chronology is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman