(4) K-3 Illustrated by Don Tate. Young Ron (astronaut Ronald McNair) doesn't have time for breakfast or basketball: "I've got something important to do." He's going to the library to check out aviation books. But in his segregated town, Ron is forbidden from having a library card. Contemporary-looking caricatures plus lack of context make it difficult to situate the fictionalized story in time, but the events described are inspiring.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA World Leaders series. This well-written biography gives an accessible overview of Chinese history in addition to detailed information about the life of Mao Zedong, focusing on his influences and lasting legacy. The well-captioned photographs, maps, and sidebars (e.g., "Quotes from Mao's 'Little Red Book'") add interest. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA This book gives a detailed, evenhanded account of the life of the Cuban leader, from his privileged childhood through his youth as a revolutionary through his rise to power on the world stage. Plenty of historical context is provided, helping readers understand the bigger picture. Well-captioned illustrations, maps, and photographs (including Castro as a child) further illuminate the text. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. These informative texts are organized chronologically by different explorers' journeys. In an uninviting format, archival illustrations, photos, and maps extend the text, which occasionally assumes some prior knowledge of climate, landscape, and Native American populations. Arctic includes a timeline. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring the Arctic and Exploring the Western Mountains.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. These informative texts are organized chronologically by different explorers' journeys. In an uninviting format, archival illustrations, photos, and maps extend the text, which occasionally assumes some prior knowledge of climate, landscape, and Native American populations. Arctic includes a timeline. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring the Arctic and Exploring the Western Mountains.

Reviewer: Kate Murphy

(3) YA Supreme Court Milestones series. Five landmark Supreme Court decisions are examined in detail in these books, beginning with the actual incidents that prompted the cases, to the case law preceding it, to the effects of the decision on future laws. The books do a good job of explaining complex legal issues, and all but Roe have a timeline. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Supreme Court Milestones titles: Brown v. Board of Education, The Pentagon Papers, Roe v. Wade, Dred Scott, and Marbury v. Madison.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) YA Supreme Court Milestones series. Five landmark Supreme Court decisions are examined in detail in these books, beginning with the actual incidents that prompted the cases, to the case law preceding it, to the effects of the decision on future laws. The books do a good job of explaining complex legal issues, and all but Roe have a timeline. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Supreme Court Milestones titles: Brown v. Board of Education, The Pentagon Papers, Roe v. Wade, Dred Scott, and Marbury v. Madison.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. Highlighting major discoveries in American exploration, each chapter in these books focuses on the findings and discoveries of one or two explorers. In a chronological progression, the profile builds on the previous discussion. Two columns of text on each page give the books a textbook-like look; archival illustrations, maps, and contemporary photographs appear frequently in a bland layout. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring Northeastern America, Exploring the Mississippi River Valley, Exploring the Pacific Northwest, and Exploring the Southeastern United States.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. Highlighting major discoveries in American exploration, each chapter in these books focuses on the findings and discoveries of one or two explorers. In a chronological progression, the profile builds on the previous discussion. Two columns of text on each page give the books a textbook-like look; archival illustrations, maps, and contemporary photographs appear frequently in a bland layout. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring Northeastern America, Exploring the Mississippi River Valley, Exploring the Pacific Northwest, and Exploring the Southeastern United States.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. Highlighting major discoveries in American exploration, each chapter in these books focuses on the findings and discoveries of one or two explorers. In a chronological progression, the profile builds on the previous discussion. Two columns of text on each page give the books a textbook-like look; archival illustrations, maps, and contemporary photographs appear frequently in a bland layout. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring Northeastern America, Exploring the Mississippi River Valley, Exploring the Pacific Northwest, and Exploring the Southeastern United States.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. Highlighting major discoveries in American exploration, each chapter in these books focuses on the findings and discoveries of one or two explorers. In a chronological progression, the profile builds on the previous discussion. Two columns of text on each page give the books a textbook-like look; archival illustrations, maps, and contemporary photographs appear frequently in a bland layout. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring Northeastern America, Exploring the Mississippi River Valley, Exploring the Pacific Northwest, and Exploring the Southeastern United States.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. Each book details the discoveries made by six to eight explorers of the featured region, paying particular attention to all the consequences--not just the glorified ones--of their explorations, including their mistreatment of the native populations. These well-written books are illustrated with maps, reproductions, and present-day photos, some poorly reproduced. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean; Exploring South America; Exploring the St. Lawrence River Region; and Exploring the Southwestern United States.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. Each book details the discoveries made by six to eight explorers of the featured region, paying particular attention to all the consequences--not just the glorified ones--of their explorations, including their mistreatment of the native populations. These well-written books are illustrated with maps, reproductions, and present-day photos, some poorly reproduced. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean; Exploring South America; Exploring the St. Lawrence River Region; and Exploring the Southwestern United States.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. Each book details the discoveries made by six to eight explorers of the featured region, paying particular attention to all the consequences--not just the glorified ones--of their explorations, including their mistreatment of the native populations. These well-written books are illustrated with maps, reproductions, and present-day photos, some poorly reproduced. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean; Exploring South America; Exploring the St. Lawrence River Region; and Exploring the Southwestern United States.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Exploring the Americas series. Each book details the discoveries made by six to eight explorers of the featured region, paying particular attention to all the consequences--not just the glorified ones--of their explorations, including their mistreatment of the native populations. These well-written books are illustrated with maps, reproductions, and present-day photos, some poorly reproduced. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring the Americas titles: Exploring Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean; Exploring South America; Exploring the St. Lawrence River Region; and Exploring the Southwestern United States.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) 4-6 Black Americans of Achievement series. The civil rights activist and three prominent entertainers are profiled in readable biographies, illustrated with black-and-white photos. Though the Berry volume is somewhat padded by extraneous material, all the books successfully balance their subjects' professional achievements with their personal insights to create fully rounded portraits. Each volume contains a timeline and, when relevant, a filmography. There are four other new books in this series. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: Danny Glover, Queen Latifah, Al Sharpton, Halle Berry.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Gateway Green Biography series. This account of the scientist discusses her motivation and experience studying gorillas in the Virunga Mountain region of Africa. Though brief, the text does give a basic sense of Fossey's personality, and clear photos of Fossey and the mountain gorillas provide context. Additional information describes the habits and physiology of this largest of primates. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Gateway Biography series. Illustrated with archival photos and drawings, this serviceable, somewhat dull biography recounts the life of "America's first black man of science." Banneker's family history, childhood, and schooling, both formal and self-taught, are discussed, as well as his late-in-life accomplishments of helping to survey the site for the new federal capital and becoming the first African-American man to be published. A time line is included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) YA African-American Achievers series. Supplemented by black-and-white photos and reproductions, this brief but accessible history also discusses related topics, such as the civil rights movement and the effects of slavery on black culture and on the development of gospel music. Important gospel musicians are discussed as are blacks who made major contributions to jazz and pop music. A lack of clear sources is disappointing, however. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Overcoming Adversity series. Illustrated with standard black-and-white photos, these well-rounded biographies chronicle the lives of three athletes who have survived challenges. Seles fought post-traumatic stress disorder after being assaulted; Lemieux battled Hodgkin's disease; Devers's thyroid condition nearly ended her career. Their portraits of perseverance are inspiring. Seles and Lemieux contain career statistics; Devers lists related websites; all feature timelines. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: Monica Seles, Mario Lemieux, Gail Devers.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta