(4) YA African-American Icons series. These accessible, simplistic biographies trace the lives of contemporary African American leaders in the arts. The uncomplicated prose may appeal to report writers who are also reluctant readers. While the books' original design was uninspired, it did include plenty of photos--which these new editions have oddly omitted. Discography (Smith), filmography (Berry; Smith). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Toni Morrison, Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Oprah Winfrey.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) YA African-American Biographies series. Competently written and illustrated with adequate black-and-white photos and reproductions, the books in this series pay tribute to five African Americans who received acclaim in various fields, while simultaneously advancing the cause of civil rights. The biographies of activists Hamer and Lewis are particularly welcome, filling a need for book-length profiles of these individuals. Timelines are included. Bib., ind. [Review covers these African-American Biographies titles: John Lewis, George Washington, Fannie Lou Hamer, Frederick Douglass,and Richard Wright.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta