(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. Beginning with his historically significant accomplishments at the 1936 Olympics in Germany--"Hitler's Olympics"--this accessible (if somewhat superficial) biography provides basic information on the early life, career, and legacy of the great African American track-and-field star Owens. Numerous archival photographs and occasional sidebars provide historical context. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. This competent (if uninspired) biography presents information about President Obama's background, including his early interest in politics, then focuses on his later accomplishments. The formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes. This revised and expanded edition is updated through the 2009 inauguration; Sean "P. Diddy" Combs gets the last word ("...this is truly what America is, what America's about"). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These competent (if uninspired) biographies present information about their subjects' backgrounds and then focus in on their later accomplishments. Wells-Barnett describes her journalistic work on behalf of education, voting rights, and anti-lynching laws. Obama (which ends with his entry into the presidential race) highlights the candidate's early interest in politics. Formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Barack Obama.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These competent (if uninspired) biographies present information about their subjects' backgrounds and then focus in on their later accomplishments. Wells-Barnett describes her journalistic work on behalf of education, voting rights, and anti-lynching laws. Obama (which ends with his entry into the presidential race) highlights the candidate's early interest in politics. Formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Barack Obama.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These volumes ably (if somewhat blandly) chronicle the lives of their subjects, whose contributions in the arts are of historic importance. In Ray, Ford interweaves the man's trials, triumphs, and human foibles into an accurate but unexciting text. Zora is informative but doesn't manage to capture the exuberance of Hurston's outgoing personality. Many photos are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Ray Charles and Zora Neale Hurston.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These entries in the competent series trace the lives and contributions of outstanding personalities in the performing arts. Information in each title includes a well-balanced presentation of the trials and triumphs of the subject, fostered by social attitudes during his time. The text, though uninspired, is useful. Formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes throughout each book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, and Louis Armstrong.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These entries in the competent series trace the lives and contributions of outstanding personalities in the performing arts. Information in each title includes a well-balanced presentation of the trials and triumphs of the subject, fostered by social attitudes during his time. The text, though uninspired, is useful. Formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes throughout each book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, and Louis Armstrong.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These volumes ably (if somewhat blandly) chronicle the lives of their subjects, whose contributions in the arts are of historic importance. In Ray, Ford interweaves the man's trials, triumphs, and human foibles into an accurate but unexciting text. Zora is informative but doesn't manage to capture the exuberance of Hurston's outgoing personality. Many photos are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Ray Charles and Zora Neale Hurston.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These entries in the competent series trace the lives and contributions of outstanding personalities in the performing arts. Information in each title includes a well-balanced presentation of the trials and triumphs of the subject, fostered by social attitudes during his time. The text, though uninspired, is useful. Formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes throughout each book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, and Louis Armstrong.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These accessible (if somewhat simplistic) biographies provide basic information on their subjects. Angelou highlights her careers in writing, entertainment, and civil rights; Washington depicts as a peaceful educator whose nonconfrontational methods drew criticism; Hughes focuses on his world travel, literary relationships, and celebration of African American culture. Numerous archival photographs, drawings, and other materials provide historical context. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Maya Angelou, Booker T. Washington, and Langston Hughes.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These accessible (if somewhat simplistic) biographies provide basic information on their subjects. Angelou highlights her careers in writing, entertainment, and civil rights; Washington depicts as a peaceful educator whose nonconfrontational methods drew criticism; Hughes focuses on his world travel, literary relationships, and celebration of African American culture. Numerous archival photographs, drawings, and other materials provide historical context. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Maya Angelou, Booker T. Washington, and Langston Hughes.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) YA African-American Biography Library series. These accessible (if somewhat simplistic) biographies provide basic information on their subjects. Angelou highlights her careers in writing, entertainment, and civil rights; Washington depicts as a peaceful educator whose nonconfrontational methods drew criticism; Hughes focuses on his world travel, literary relationships, and celebration of African American culture. Numerous archival photographs, drawings, and other materials provide historical context. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Maya Angelou, Booker T. Washington, and Langston Hughes.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr