(4) 4-6 American War Biographies series. Three Revolutionary war heroes (one turned traitor) and three Civil War figures are featured in these generally well-written, though repetitive, biographies. Timelines are featured in each copiously illustrated chapter, and sidebars cover such related topics as prisoners of war and other important persons. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these American War Biographies titles: Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen, and John Paul Jones.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 When she's picked to give the coveted sixth-grade oral report on local hero Ethan Allen, maverick Tessy intentionally botches her report with crude, made-up stories. Given another chance, Tessy finds the history gets under her skin. Allen is a soulmate, another radical who refused to bow to pressure. Gauthier's occasional classroom raillery provides some life, but the story lacks focus and direction.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom