(3) YA Out in Front series. At fifteen, Grace Akallo was abducted from her Catholic girls' school and spent seven months as a child soldier in a Ugandan militia. Sawyer tells her story of capture, survival, and healing, while a historical overview of child soldiers being used in conflicts helps frame Grace's tale. The clear, structured narrative and moving photographs impel readers' empathy. Websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) YA Champion of Freedom series. Color and black-and-white archival photographs (often poorly reproduced), maps, and sidebars combine with a comprehensive text to present an accessible chronological biography of each notable activist. First-hand accounts, drawn from a variety of sources, lend an authentic voice, while the discussion of historical events and figures provides the political and historical contexts that motivated such determination and sacrifice. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Champion on Freedom titles: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Nelson Mandela.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Stories in American History series. The updated volumes in this series spotlight key moments in U.S. history, framing the discussions with coverage of the events leading up to and following those periods. The presentation of topics is adequate; occasional drawings and photos, which vary in relevance and clarity, give the merest hint of the period in each book. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Stories in American History titles: The California Gold Rush, The Amazing Underground Railroad, The Legend of the Alamo, Surviving the Oregon Trail, and The Incredible Transcontinental Railroad.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) YA Champion of Freedom series. Sawyer chronicles the life and work of Mohandas Gandhi, paying particular attention to his influences, promotion of self-reliance, and work as an author and political activist; also briefly mentioned are his complicated beliefs regarding family and women. More context or analysis in the text would have been useful. Black-and-white photographs appear throughout. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) 4-6 DK Biography series. Well-rounded biographies of four twentieth-century notables are hampered by an occasional glibness of tone (e.g., a discussion of overcrowded hospitals in Kennedy includes the phrase "you do the math"). Nearly every page contains a photo or a reproduction, increasing the books' accessibility, although the pages are a bit crowded due to the small trim size. Each book features an illustrated timeline. Websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these DK Biography titles: Helen Keller, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Anne Frank.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta