(3) 4-6 History's Worst series. The breathless rise and inevitable fall of America's famous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are recounted in satisfying detail in this middle-grade narrative biography. Buckley has recreated an exciting, shocking story of the couple's crimes while also addressing what the press and popular culture often got wrong. Despite a lack of photographs, the strong subject matter helps the book hold its own. Bib.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Animal Planet Chapter Books series. This high-interest installment starts with a photo diagram of some distinguishing snake features and moves on to explore various species and their adaptations. Occasional "Newsfeed" boxes and "Fact File" inserts add more information, but the general format is a profusely illustrated (with photos), continuous chapter-book narrative that provides just-right nonfiction reading for newly independent readers. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Animal Planet Chapter Books series. This high-interest installment starts with a photo diagram of some distinguishing insect features and moves on to explore various species and their adaptations. Occasional "Newsfeed" boxes and "Fact File" inserts add more information, but the general format is a profusely illustrated (with photos), continuous chapter-book narrative that provides just-right nonfiction reading for newly independent readers. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Who HQ: Who Was...? series. Illustrated by Andrew Thomson. Grosset's long-running Who Was...? series is re-branded. This readable, informative biography is marred only by the caricatured cover illustrations (typical of the classic series) and interior pencil illustrations that are inconsistent in style. Otherwise, the book will give young readers a good sense of who the Williams sisters are. Occasional full- and double-page text boxes successfully illuminate related topics. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 History's Worst series. The life and actions of infamous historical figures are recounted in these engaging but uneven middle-grade biographies. In Hitler, Buckley's use of colloquialisms can be off-putting, and readers will learn little new information. In Ripper, Burgan shares grisly details, but the narrative gets bogged down overviewing the many theories regarding the killer's identity. Ripper lists suggested resources; both books include a timeline and notes. Review covers the following History's Worst titles: Adolf Hitler and Jack the Ripper.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Penguin Young Readers: Smithsonian series. In nine leveled-reader chapters, this volume provides information about the moon, focusing mainly on science and exploration. The text also touches on storytelling (that old green cheese myth) and veers into speculation: "Could there be other life in the universe? Do you think they look up at their own moons like we do?" Well-chosen photographs and illustrations support the occasionally vague text. Glos.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Chad Geran. A zany character (based on the science-teacher author) over-enthusiastically narrates this clearly organized collection of general science and engineering experiments. Though the activities are nothing new and the layouts are busy with content, instructions, cartoony illustrations, and additional facts, the experiments are designed well; use easy-to-obtain materials; and encourage observation, multiple trials, and further exploration. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Sterling Biographies series. Opinionated yet informative, these latest additions to the series blend anecdotes, quotations, and facts to create engaging portraits of six of America's greatest sports stars. With some of the subject matter overlapping, these biographies focus on their athletes' careers, but also offer insight into the social and political realities of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Photographs and sidebars are incorporated into the reader-friendly designs. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Sterling Biography titles: Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammad Ali.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(3) 4-6 Eyewitness Books series. A short but informative narrative highlights the memorable moments of World Series history in this colorful, appealing photo collage of World Series game action; artifacts, uniforms, and equipment; and famous players and managers. An appendix lists the Most Valuable Player selections and the results of playoff and World Series contests. Ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness Books series. This busy overview of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game, is mostly a collection of captioned cropped photographs on a white background. Brief paragraphs of information cover each of the Super Bowl games played through 2003; coaches, rings, and records; as well as the pre-game and halftime shows. This volume offers some great browsing for young fans. Ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Photographs by Mike Eliason. An introduction to fielding, batting, and other key baseball skills is offered in a basic volume for budding baseball players. Color photos of young players (almost all boys) are used effectively to illustrate techniques, and quotes and tips from Major League stars add interest. A brief bibliography includes only titles from this publisher. Ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Three serviceable titles about baseball's biggest contemporary stars will appeal to fans and reluctant readers. Because they focus primarily on active players, the books are already outdated (e.g., Shortstops precedes A-Rod's recent trade and history-making contract). Generous color photos and drawings enhance every page. Home Run Heroes is written at an easier level than the other series titles. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. This entry follows the series format, with each double-page spread devoted to an aspect of baseball and illustrated with copious photographs and drawings. Most aspects of the game are afforded a surprisingly high level of detail, with attention paid to related topics such as softball, Little League, and the game's growing international presence. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. This entry follows the series format, with each double-page spread devoted to an aspect of baseball and illustrated with copious photographs and drawings. Most aspects of the game are afforded a surprisingly high level of detail, with attention paid to related topics such as softball, Little League, and the game's growing international presence. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. This biography for newly independent readers focuses on the first Hispanic baseball player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The readable Spanish text, accompanied by black-and-white and color photos, tells of Clemente's childhood in Puerto Rico, his leap to the Major Leagues, his fight against prejudice, and his humanitarian efforts to help the poor. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elena Abos Alvarez-Buiza

(3) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Manning introduces readers to one of football's most talented young quarterbacks. Rumbling introduces some of the sport's most famous running backs, past and present. With its singular focus, Manning provides a bit more detail than Running Backs and is targeted for kids at a slightly lower reading level. Lots of color photos add appeal to the books, sure to interest young fans. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Dorling Kindersley Readers titles: Peyton Manning and Rumbling Running Backs.]

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Manning introduces readers to one of football's most talented young quarterbacks. Rumbling introduces some of the sport's most famous running backs, past and present. With its singular focus, Manning provides a bit more detail than Running Backs and is targeted for kids at a slightly lower reading level. Lots of color photos add appeal to the books, sure to interest young fans. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Dorling Kindersley Readers titles: Peyton Manning and Rumbling Running Backs.]

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) 4-6 Dorling Kindersley Visual Dictionaries series. This entry follows the series format, with each double-page spread devoted to an aspect of baseball and illustrated with copious photographs and drawings. Most aspects of the game are afforded a surprisingly high level of detail, with attention paid to related topics such as softball, Little League, and the game's growing international presence. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) 1-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Kids who enjoyed the live action film but are unfamiliar with the comic-book series will appreciate these introductory volumes. The books, although somewhat redundant, explain how high school student Peter Parker became Spider-Man and describe the various superhuman skills he possesses. The busy format, jammed with text, color illustrations from the comics, and supplemental marginalia, may confuse early readers. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Books series. This busy compendium provides highlights from Super Bowls I-XXXIV and includes snippets of information about trophies, rings, records, glitzy pregame and halftime shows, collectibles, the media, and "super stadiums." Small photos (action shots, pictures of star players and coaches, images of memorabilia) compete for space in each double-page spread, with a paragraph of text and lengthy captions printed in small type. Ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck