(3) YA Oxford Portraits in Science series. This thorough account of the famous astronomer's life includes the development of the Laws of Planetary Motion and detailed consideration of the history and politics of practicing science in the seventeenth century. The readable text is sometimes grandiose, yet presents a good narrative for advanced readers with strong science backgrounds. Black-and-white historical illustrations help clarify complex scientific ideas. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Importance Of series. Thorough biographies trace the lives and work of four notables from different fields, placing their legacies within historical context. The texts are accompanied by the muddy black-and-white photographs that are this series' unfortunate hallmark. Boxed passages from a variety of primary and secondary sources supplement the books. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Girls Know Best series. Illustrated by Jerry McCann. These brief biographies describe women who accomplished great things in their teens. With unflagging cheerleading spirit, the pro-girl entries range from novelist S. E. Hinton to Marie Curie's daughter Irène. Quotes from contemporary teens on how they want to "rock the world" end each chapter. Unsophisticated line drawings and fuzzy black-and-white photographs illustrate both the biographies and the quotes.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Dan Andreasen. In this shortened, simplified version of Mary Antin's memoir, The Promised Land, Wells describes conditions in late-nineteenth-century Russia, Mary's passage across the ocean to America, and her first year in school, which culminates in the publication of a narrative poem the new immigrant writes about George Washington. The writing is smooth, rich, and filled with memorable images; the oil paintings are warm and detailed.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 United States Presidents series. Each of these ten books includes brief biographical information, a list of stats about the individual (place of birth, parents' names, religion, etc.), a time line of the president's life and achievements, and two pages explaining the role of the president and the other two branches of government. Report writers will find the basic facts but will need to look elsewhere for substantive information. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. Each of these mini-biographies opens with a general introduction to its subject; the following chapters (most of which are two pages) skim the surface of childhoods, achievements before and after being elected, and post-presidential work. Historical photographs and illustrations (one per spread), vital statistics, time lines, and "Fun Facts" are included in all the books. Report writers will glean the facts, but not much more. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. Each of these mini-biographies opens with a general introduction to its subject; the following chapters (most of which are two pages) skim the surface of childhoods, achievements before and after being elected, and post-presidential work. Historical photographs and illustrations (one per spread), vital statistics, time lines, and "Fun Facts" are included in all the books. Report writers will glean the facts, but not much more. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. Each of these mini-biographies opens with a general introduction to its subject; the following chapters (most of which are two pages) skim the surface of childhoods, achievements before and after being elected, and post-presidential work. Historical photographs and illustrations (one per spread), vital statistics, time lines, and "Fun Facts" are included in all the books. Report writers will glean the facts, but not much more. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. Each of these mini-biographies opens with a general introduction to its subject; the following chapters (most of which are two pages) skim the surface of childhoods, achievements before and after being elected, and post-presidential work. Historical photographs and illustrations (one per spread), vital statistics, time lines, and "Fun Facts" are included in all the books. Report writers will glean the facts, but not much more. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne

(4) YA A & E Biography series. These biographies examine the lives of four twentieth-century figures who achieved fame in vastly different fields (though two--Glenn and Ventura--both ended up in politics). The books, illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs, provide a broad overview of each individual's achievements in prose that is more serviceable than inspired. Lucas contains a filmography. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Oxford Portraits series. Though the writing style is somewhat cold and detached, the life of Holmes is thoroughly covered in this scholarly biography. The book traces his Civil War service, his tenure on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and his three decades on the U.S. Supreme Court. Excerpts from his writings and notable judicial opinions provide added insight. Black-and-white archival photos and a time line are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Giants of Science series. Each of these books about a scientific pioneer starts with the critical events or ideas each developed, then carefully situates discussion of the individual's life in historical context. Alongside the main text are quotes from primary historical documents and secondary research sources. The inclusion of color photographs along with historical black-and-white images adds interest. All the books include a time line. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Giants of Science series. Each of these books about a scientific pioneer starts with the critical events or ideas each developed, then carefully situates discussion of the individual's life in historical context. Alongside the main text are quotes from primary historical documents and secondary research sources. The inclusion of color photographs along with historical black-and-white images adds interest. All the books include a time line. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) YA Makers of the Media series. Hearst's importance in the history of American journalism is conveyed in a volume that also examines his roles as publishing tycoon, political aspirant, and unfaithful husband. The text, which is illustrated with average-quality black-and-white photographs, is objectively written. A time line is included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Makers of the Media series. This concise biography traces Pulitzer's life from his early years as an impoverished Hungarian immigrant to his success as a newspaper publisher who helped redefine American journalism for the twentieth century. The text adequately explores Pulitzer's public persona, but requires some reading between the lines in order to attempt to understand the private lives of the eccentric millionaire and his family. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Book Report Biography series. A disparate group of individuals are featured in this series of books, each beginning with an important moment in the subject's life and then looking back at his childhood and forward to his important personal achievements. The books are readable, though the accompanying black-and-white photos and reproductions are often dark. All the books contain chronologies; Lucas and MacArthur include glossaries. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(2) K-3 This picture book biography is both an introduction and a tribute to Bach. Although no source is given, the facts selected present an accessible if selective view of his life, and the storytelling quality of the narrative complements the paintings, which have a naïve quality, like squares in a quilt. The book ends with Bach's admission to "the choir of angels"--an appropriate figure of speech for an individual noted for his church music.

Reviewer: Mary M. Burns | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 1999

(4) YA History Makers series. Each volume begins with an overbroad historical survey, followed by six to eight individual profiles. Illustrated with mediocre black-and-white photos, reproductions, and maps, the books contain limited personal information, focusing mostly on what made each individual famous (or infamous). Limited by their brevity, these profiles may serve as a starting point for report writers seeking basic biographical information. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA People in the News series. Tracing the lives and careers of six notable figures, these admiring biographies are generally superficial in tone. The most recent events in the subjects' lives are sometimes given brief coverage but are not explored in any depth--making the books seem already dated. Murky black-and-white photographs of varying quality illustrate the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA African-American Biographies series. Four clearly written biographies cover major figures--two historical, two contemporary--who, despite some early difficulties, achieved major personal and professional success. Winfrey, Du Bois, and Banneker have been featured in numerous biographies, but this full-length work on Myers, which includes discussions of his books and how they came to be written, is particularly welcome. Black-and-white photos accompany the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta