(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 Masters of Music series. Well-researched and clear, these books in five or six chapters relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. Photographs and reproductions illustrate chapters, which are interrupted by "FYInfo" pages that supply further cultural details of varying relevance. There are four other fall 2004 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of Scott Joplin, The Life and Times of Hector Berlioz, The Life and Times of Igor Stravinsky, and The Life and Times of Richard Wagner.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(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 Masters of Music series. Well-researched and clear, these books in five or six chapters relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. Photographs and reproductions illustrate chapters, which are interrupted by "FYInfo" pages that supply further cultural details of varying relevance. There are four other fall 2004 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of Scott Joplin, The Life and Times of Hector Berlioz, The Life and Times of Igor Stravinsky, and The Life and Times of Richard Wagner.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. Well-researched and clear, these books in five or six chapters relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. Photographs and reproductions illustrate chapters, which are interrupted by "FYInfo" pages that supply further cultural details of varying relevance. There are four other fall 2004 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of Scott Joplin, The Life and Times of Hector Berlioz, The Life and Times of Igor Stravinsky, and The Life and Times of Richard Wagner.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. Well-researched and clear, these books in five or six chapters relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. Photographs and reproductions illustrate chapters, which are interrupted by "FYInfo" pages that supply further cultural details of varying relevance. There are four other fall 2004 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of Scott Joplin, The Life and Times of Hector Berlioz, The Life and Times of Igor Stravinsky, and The Life and Times of Richard Wagner.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(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 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. This biography of the eleven-time president of Mexico most famous for storming the Alamo and for his role in the Mexican-American War takes a while to get going. For much-needed comic relief, Bankston notes Santa Anna's emulation of Napoleon's hairstyle and other humorous tidbits. The book features color portraits of Santa Anna, often in action, and key players in his life. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Latinos in American History series. This biography of Mexican explorer Anza, who helped develop a land route between Mexico and California and became governor of New Mexico, is dramatic in the telling. Bankston supplies hypothetical impressions ("As a youngster, Juan must have heard countless stories...") for added dimension. A map and color reproductions appear throughout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(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 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 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Latinos in American History series. Whiting describes the life of the eighteenth-century Majorca-born priest, known as the "Father of California," who went first to Mexico and then to California to establish missions. Lack of any critical debate about Serra's work (converting others to Christianity) may disappoint some readers. The book features color portraits of Serra and photos of statues bearing his likeness. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram