(3) K-3 Translated by Julie Cormier. Illustrated by Bruno Liance. From the cover showing young African American Nina reaching for black piano keys to the spread of adult Nina playing piano surrounded by white musicians, this book is simultaneously quiet and powerful. In a fictionalized first-person voice, Brière-Haquet frames Simone's tale through Nina's bedtime story to her child, introducing seminal moments in the activist and jazz legend's life. Liance's pixilated black-and-white illustrations are highly resonant.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Ready-to-Read: You Should Meet series. Illustrated by Alyssa Petersen. In this easy-reader biography, Feldman introduces Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematical prodigy. She began her career at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (later NASA) as a human computer and advanced up the ranks. Back matter includes information on stars, careers in engineering and astronomy, and space facts. Petersen's full-color cartoonlike illustrations have kid-appeal.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion series. Using a conversational tone, this engaging biography series discusses the life of each designer, his or her creative contribution within social history, and the evolution of the style to modern day. Additional facts appear at the bottom of pages as well as in "Fashion Factoid" sidebars throughout. Captioned photographs, a large font, and bright colors add appeal to the layouts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion titles: Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation, Eddie Bauer: Down Jacket Developer, Louis Réard: Bikini Designer, Mary Quant: Miniskirt Maker, Sam Foster: Sunglasses Success, and Levi Strauss: Blue Jean Genius.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion series. Using a conversational tone, this engaging biography series discusses the life of each designer, his or her creative contribution within social history, and the evolution of the style to modern day. Additional facts appear at the bottom of pages as well as in "Fashion Factoid" sidebars throughout. Captioned photographs, a large font, and bright colors add appeal to the layouts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion titles: Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation, Eddie Bauer: Down Jacket Developer, Louis Réard: Bikini Designer, Mary Quant: Miniskirt Maker, Sam Foster: Sunglasses Success, and Levi Strauss: Blue Jean Genius.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion series. Using a conversational tone, this engaging biography series discusses the life of each designer, his or her creative contribution within social history, and the evolution of the style to modern day. Additional facts appear at the bottom of pages as well as in "Fashion Factoid" sidebars throughout. Captioned photographs, a large font, and bright colors add appeal to the layouts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion titles: Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation, Eddie Bauer: Down Jacket Developer, Louis Réard: Bikini Designer, Mary Quant: Miniskirt Maker, Sam Foster: Sunglasses Success, and Levi Strauss: Blue Jean Genius.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion series. Using a conversational tone, this engaging biography series discusses the life of each designer, his or her creative contribution within social history, and the evolution of the style to modern day. Additional facts appear at the bottom of pages as well as in "Fashion Factoid" sidebars throughout. Captioned photographs, a large font, and bright colors add appeal to the layouts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion titles: Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation, Eddie Bauer: Down Jacket Developer, Louis Réard: Bikini Designer, Mary Quant: Miniskirt Maker, Sam Foster: Sunglasses Success, and Levi Strauss: Blue Jean Genius.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion series. Using a conversational tone, this engaging biography series discusses the life of each designer, his or her creative contribution within social history, and the evolution of the style to modern day. Additional facts appear at the bottom of pages as well as in "Fashion Factoid" sidebars throughout. Captioned photographs, a large font, and bright colors add appeal to the layouts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion titles: Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation, Eddie Bauer: Down Jacket Developer, Louis Réard: Bikini Designer, Mary Quant: Miniskirt Maker, Sam Foster: Sunglasses Success, and Levi Strauss: Blue Jean Genius.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 This catchy title relates Ruth Wakefield's successful career as a baker and restaurateur as well as the lore surrounding how exactly her invention of the chocolate chip cookie came about; the three speculated versions of the cookies' creation make for an interesting tale. Ford's bright, cartoony illustrations' vintage aesthetic brings out the Depression-era setting. An author's note and the original recipe are appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Giselle Potter. In Hopkinson's admittedly "made-up tale" based on the female author of American Cookery, the first American cookbook, orphan Amelia Simmons learns to cook from a Patriot townswoman and goes on to bake thirteen cakes served at Washington's inauguration. Entertaining--and informative of Revolutionary-era domesticity--the charming story pairs well with Potter's flattened folk art in watercolor and ink. A historical author's note is appended. Websites.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion series. Using a conversational tone, this engaging biography series discusses the life of each designer, his or her creative contribution within social history, and the evolution of the style to modern day. Additional facts appear at the bottom of pages as well as in "Fashion Factoid" sidebars throughout. Captioned photographs, a large font, and bright colors add appeal to the layouts. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: 1st in Fashion titles: Chuck Taylor: Sneaker Sensation, Eddie Bauer: Down Jacket Developer, Louis Réard: Bikini Designer, Mary Quant: Miniskirt Maker, Sam Foster: Sunglasses Success, and Levi Strauss: Blue Jean Genius.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Faulkner. This unique title puts readers in first family members' shoes as it introduces the evolving roles of presidents' spouses throughout American history. Shamir, in lively, humorous language, shares both lesser- and well-known facts pertaining to First Ladies' personalities, occupations, causes, and more. Caricature-like watercolor and pencil illustrations underscore the levity. Concludes with a chronological list of First Ladies and an author's note with resources.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Zoom In on First Ladies series. These starter biographies have fact-driven texts illustrated with uncaptioned photos (or historical art in Washington). The choppy writing is easy to read, but the volumes provide little in the way of substantive background about these First Ladies. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on First Ladies titles: Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Martha Washington, Michelle Obama, and Nancy Reagan.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Zoom In on First Ladies series. These starter biographies have fact-driven texts illustrated with uncaptioned photos (or historical art in Washington). The choppy writing is easy to read, but the volumes provide little in the way of substantive background about these First Ladies. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on First Ladies titles: Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Martha Washington, Michelle Obama, and Nancy Reagan.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. Lively if wordy text recounts how First Lady Jackie Kennedy, who restored a then "dreary" White House "into a stately home," waged a long, tough campaign to preserve NYC's historic, iconic Grand Central Station. The impressionistic watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations convey the story's emotions and the station's grandeur, but Boiger oddly renders Jackie as a stilted, peg-legged character. Concludes with author's and illustrator's notes. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series. These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series. These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Changing Face of Modern Families series. These well-meaning but bland volumes attempt to debunk the myth of a standardized American family, focusing on such issues as adoption, gay parents, and interfaith and mixed-race marriages. Facts and opinions are provided from various professionals in addition to individuals' personal accounts. "What Do You Think?" questions invite discussion. There are eight other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, website. Bib., ind. Review covers these Changing Face of Modern Families titles: Gay & Lesbian Parents, Multiracial Families, Adoptive Parents, Blended Families, Teen Parents, and What Is a Family?

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Changing Face of Modern Families series. These well-meaning but bland volumes attempt to debunk the myth of a standardized American family, focusing on such issues as adoption, gay parents, and interfaith and mixed-race marriages. Facts and opinions are provided from various professionals in addition to individuals' personal accounts. "What Do You Think?" questions invite discussion. There are eight other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, website. Bib., ind. Review covers these Changing Face of Modern Families titles: Gay & Lesbian Parents, Multiracial Families, Adoptive Parents, Blended Families, Teen Parents, and What Is a Family?

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Great Idea series. These books look at preserving, protecting, and perfecting crops. Sunscreen follows the development of a product that shades plants from too much sun; Vault discusses local and global efforts to sustain and improve vegetation. "Did You Know?" sidebars and illustrations add to accessibility for readers, but babyish book design may deter them. Vault includes a reading list. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Idea titles: The Seed Vault and Sunscreen for Plants.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series. These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr