(4) YA Essential Lives series. This series offers serviceable if bland biographies of people famous in a variety of arenas. Bono focuses on the history of U2 and the lead singer's later humanitarian work. Clinton describes her roles both as First Lady and presidential candidate. The writing is straightforward, and frequent sidebars help with historical context. Some photographs and archival materials also break up the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Lives titles: Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bono.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 People to Know Today series. Opening with a highlight or turning point in the subjects' lives, these generally laudatory biographies provide adequate (though generic) introductions to well-known personalities. Some of the accompanying photographs and sidebars are interesting, but others do little to enhance or elevate the texts. Hillary Clinton frequently shifts its focus to Bill. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People to Know Today titles: Hillary Clinton, Steven Spielberg, and Bono.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale