(4) 4-6 Biography from Ancient Civilizations series. After introducing each of these important figures in ancient civilization with a story or legend, the authors then provide upper-elementary or middle-school students with a lively picture of the known life of the individual based on records from their times. Sidebars and archival art (without credit to artist or source) extend the information, but the dull design is uninviting. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Biography from Ancient Civilizations titles: The Life and Times of Alexander the Great, The Life and Times of Homer, The Life and Times of Archimedes, and The Life and Times of Socrates.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Biography from Ancient Civilizations: Legends, Folklore, and Stories of Ancient Worlds series. Despite bland designs (and a fictionalized first chapter in Marco Polo), both of these well-written books do a good job of introducing their subjects to upper-elementary or middle-school students. The chapter notes and bibliographies attest to careful research. Illustrations from various sources add little to the books. Maps and informative sidebars are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Biography from Ancient Civilizations: Legends, Folklore, and Stories of Ancient Worlds titles: The Life and Times of Confucious and The Life and Times of Marco Polo.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Latinos in American History series. In Paredes, which profiles the Mexican-American poet, writer, and folklorist, Murcia takes the time to illuminate her subject's character through humorous anecdotes; in contrast, Chavez seems cursory and incomplete--unaccountably, considering its subject was hardly an elusive figure. These two biographies feature photos framed with gaudy colors. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Latinos in American History titles: Americo Paredes and Cesar Chavez.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. Although these books lack documentation for quotations, they reliably relate the contributions of their subjects to science and technology. The authors begin with a pivotal anecdote, then follow a chronological path through the men's lives and contextualize their discoveries and inventions. Black-and-white photos supplement the texts. There are six other fall 2002 books in this series. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. The books in this series introduce the lives and accomplishments of their subjects. Fleming's penicillin discovery resulted from lucky coincidence coupled with hard work, Goddard's liquid rocket engine was a lifelong dream, Teller's insistence on defensive armaments is still debated, and McClintock's jumping genes are lively topics of research. A time line and black-and-white photos supplement the text. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Unlocking the Secrets of Science titles: Alexander Fleming, Edward Teller and the Development of the Hydrogen Bomb, Robert Goddard and the Liquid Rocket Engine, Barbara McClintock.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian