(4) 4-6 Young Reader's Shakespeare series. Illustrated by Janet Hamlin. In this solid prose retelling, a victorious Caesar returns to Rome, where some wish to king him and others conspire against him. Many of Shakespeare's original phrases are smoothly incorporated into the story, and short chapters help set a brisk pace. The red- and-gold-hued illustrations, however, are often awkwardly composed. Ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Janet Hamlin. Photographs by Michael Frost. This book describes and shows--with clear photos of children demonstrating each position--twenty yoga poses, including tree, warrior, and cobra. Each pose is accompanied by its associated feelings (e.g., "strength and confidence") and an affirmation to say while holding each position (e.g., "I feel strong and confident"). This twist makes the book a good step up from the typical yoga-for-tots volumes on the market.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) 4-6 Creative Minds Biography series. Illustrated by Janet Hamlin. These books adequately narrate the major events in the lives of their subjects: Alcott's writing to provide for her family, Mozart's musical precocity, Jones's rise in naval rank and unwillingness to accept defeat, and Whitney's invention of the cotton gin. Black-and-white drawings illustrate the texts, whose styles range from Aller's reasonable fluidity to Allman's rather abrupt account. List of works (Mozart and Alcott). Bib., ind. Review covers these Creative Minds Biography titles: Beyond Little Women, Musical Genius, I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight, and Maker of Machines.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 1-3 Illustrated by Janet Hamlin. When Janie's mother gets fed up with the condition of her daughter's elementary school, she knits beautiful monogrammed sweaters to earn money enough to move her family to suburbia. Janie, now poor in comparison to her new, wealthy peers, must find the strength and character to fit in at her new school. Though overly tidy in its final outcome, Haddix's story is heartwarming and satisfying.

Reviewer: Mary R. Holt

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Janet Hamlin. In a story based on true events, Sarah relates her fears when the Russian army and then the Nazis overrun her small Polish town. Rounded up for the concentration camps, Sarah's parents encourage her to escape and join the partisans finding refuge in the forest. Though the simply written book contains moments of power, the ending is abrupt. Information about the real incident is appended.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta