(4) 4-6 Inspiring Collective Biographies series. These revised editions of books originally published as part of the Collective Biographies series provide surveys of pioneers in various fields (computers, the arts, exploration, etc.). Each volume contains ten biographical profiles, illustrated with black-and-white photographs. The writing can be flat, but the profiles will serve as adequate starting points for those doing basic research. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Inspiring Collective Biographies titles: Harlem Renaissance Artists and Writers, Amazing American Inventors of the 20th Century, Fighting U.S. Generals of World War II, Innovators of American Jazz, Pioneering American Computer Geniuses, and Daredevil American Heroes of Exploration and Flight.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Bizarre Science series. If readers ignore the gimmicky series title and dripping purple caption boxes, they'll find that this revised book contains informative text and engaging photos of mummified remains. Six chapters cover mummy discoveries and what we can learn about the past from these findings. Also discussed are how bodies are mummified and some history of the practice. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) 4-6 Bizarre Science series. If readers ignore the gimmicky series title and dripping purple caption boxes, they'll find this revised book contains an informative text and close-up photographs of the creatures in action. Six chapters cover specific bloodsuckers, including mosquitoes, vampire bats, lice, and leeches. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(4) 4-6 States series. This series' hallmark is its web portal linked to pertinent sites. Short, choppy chapters glossing over each state's history, citizenry, and points of interest are illustrated with color photos and screen shots. Facts are relayed in paragraphs lacking transitions, creating a scattershot narrative, but the website summaries will encourage further exploration. There are nine other spring 2003 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., ind. [Review covers these States titles: Illinois, Alaska, Indiana, Delaware, and Vermont.]

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Sports Great Books series. The books in this series look at their subjects from childhood to superstardom. Illustrated with grainy black-and-white action photos, these brief, formulaic biographies stress the importance of education and commitment, as well as the merits of sportsmanship. Career statistics and related websites are appended. Ind. [Review covers these Sports Great Books titles: Sports Great Keith Van Horn, Sports Great Derek Jeter, Sports Great Tiger Woods, Sports Great Rebecca Lobo, Sports Great Grant Hill.]

Reviewer: Kathleen S. Rourke

(4) YA Collective Biographies series. Ten or eleven Americans who have played significant military or social activist roles are introduced in each volume of this competently written series. Profiles focus on external events, rather than character or personality descriptions; each features a grainy black-and-white portrait and one or two often marginally related photographs. The Civil War volumes contain glossaries; the others include bibliographies. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.