(4) YA World Writers series. Full of information, these titles explore the personal and professional trajectories of popular authors. Real Courage also delves into the social and political history of the time. The subjects are engaging, but the books would benefit from better organization. The stock photographs are often only tangentially related to the texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these World Writers titles: Rick Riordan, Real Courage, and Suzanne Collins.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA Business Leaders series. These biographies focus on the technologies that their youthful subjects developed--Facebook, Google, Amazon.com, and Twitter--and the way each company has changed from small startup to international phenomenon. The subjects' lives and inventions are explained in clear language with embedded definitions when necessary; some details are more important than others. Numerous photos (mostly relevant, some not) support the texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Business Leaders titles: Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg, Google Founders, Jeff Bezos, and Twitter.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Political Profiles series. These three uneven political biographies cover their subjects' childhoods, important life events, and present-day careers. Though the texts are marred by occasional inaccuracies (e.g, Lewis incorrectly states that Martin Luther King Jr. went to Boston College instead of Boston University), they could appeal to budding politicians. Photographs, some without captions, help illuminate history and personalities. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Political Profiles titles: Sarah Palin, John Lewis, and Joe Biden.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) YA Political Profiles series. These profiles focus on their subjects' childhoods, backgrounds, and the forces that shaped them into today's leaders. Though largely laudatory, both books also touch on foibles and scandals (e.g., Chappaquiddick). Some of the information is already out of date. Obama gives little insight into Michelle's life before Barack. Photographs help break up the texts, which will be useful for basic information. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Political Profiles titles: Ted Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(3) YA Xtreme Athletes series. Patrick focuses on Danica's drive and determination to excel in a male-dominated sport. Phelps provides a look at a young man's swift rise to Olympic gold. The volumes don't shy away from their subjects' personal struggles and public mistakes but are ultimately concerned with detailing their impressive ascents to the top of their sports. Photographs and informative sidebars support the texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Xtreme Athletes titles: Danica Patrick and Michael Phelps.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) YA World Writers series. Hurston's complicated life is represented as both a product of and a response to familial struggles, racial discrimination, and national movements. Sapet makes thoughtful use of Hurston's own words and provides historic background to shape this portrait of the writer and folklorist. Ill-considered design elements, including the blurry cover photo and dense layout, are unfortunate distractions. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Political Profiles series. These profiles of seven politicians currently in the spotlight are thorough, concentrating heavily on childhood, background, and the forces that shaped these leaders. The volumes will quickly be dated (especially in the four on presidential candidates); Gore ends before his Nobel Peace Prize award. Photographs help break up the dense pages. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Political Profiles titles: Al Gore, Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) YA World Leaders series. This comprehensive biography places Cleopatra in historical context by providing background on the Egyptian pharaohs, the Ptolemaic dynasty, Roman culture, and the political machinations of figures such as Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian. The text paints a vivid, balanced portrait of Cleopatra, but some pictures and maps bear limited connection to the text and there are some minor mistakes. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Abby Harper Kingsbury

(4) YA Political Profiles series. These profiles of seven politicians currently in the spotlight are thorough, concentrating heavily on childhood, background, and the forces that shaped these leaders. The volumes will quickly be dated (especially in the four on presidential candidates); Gore ends before his Nobel Peace Prize award. Photographs help break up the dense pages. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Political Profiles titles: Al Gore, Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) YA European Queens series. This biography of the woman who was first queen of France and then queen of England gives a thorough overview of the history and political climate that led to Eleanor's rise and fall. Although some of the relationships portrayed are oversimplified, the book's overall tone and vocabulary are sophisticated. Well-captioned illustrations (predominately maps and reproductions of period artwork) give further context. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz