(3) 4-6 Earth's ambassador, Gabe Fuentes, is stranded on the moon when he should be fighting off the Outlast from galaxy take-over and finding his father, who was deported to Mexico. With Nadia, Earth's preceding ambassador, and Kaen, ambassador of a human-like alien race, Gabe fights to save both the galaxy and his earthly family. Alexander builds believable worlds in this entertaining sequel to Ambassador.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) YA Embassy Row series. It's been three years since Grace's mother died, and now she's been sent to live with her grandfather at the American Embassy in Adria. Everyone says her mother's death was an accident, but Grace knows better: she saw the scarred man murder her mother, and now she's seen him again. Grace's unreliable narration makes her frantic quest for the truth even more compelling.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(2) 4-6 A shape-shifting creature called "the Envoy" informs eleven-year-old Gabe that it has appointed him Earth's ambassador to "everyone else." Gabe travels across space (while he's asleep) to the Embassy. When he wakes up back home, he discovers his father is to be deported to Mexico the next day--and one of the other ambassadors is trying to kill Gabe. A meaty and entertaining novel.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2014

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Stories of Famous Americans series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. Covering Adams's major contributions to U.S. history, including his stirring speech in favor of independence, ambassadorship to France, vice-presidency, and presidency, this book reflects the difficulties of writing complicated material for early readers. Its sentences are somewhat truncated and it emphasizes excitement, such as a dangerous voyage, instead of Adams's more nuanced statesmanship. Soft-edged illustrations accompany the text. Timeline.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Notable Americans series. This lucid, considered biography examines how Albright's Czechoslovakian family's experience as Jews during World War II informed her character as she pursued a political career culminating in her stint as the first female U.S. secretary of state. The book is marred by poorly reproduced black-and-white images of Albright and her colleagues and by its blurry color close-up cover shot. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Uncondescendingly, Harness begins with the Roosevelts' privileged early lives, then emphasizes their groundbreaking efforts for social justice and wartime leadership amid complex personal lives, including Eleanor's unhappy childhood and domineering mother-in-law and Franklin's polio, but excluding some other difficulties. Though Harness's color illustrations are effective, the sepia-toned ones convey even more emotion. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Who Was...? series. Illustrated by Elizabeth Wolf. This look at the first lady is a welcome alternative to the just-the-facts biographies that give no indication that their subject has an interior life. This book explores Roosevelt's character--as informed by her privileged upbringing, mother's inaccessibility, etc.--as much as it examines her public service. Throughout are expressive black-and-white illustrations. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA People to Know series. Well-known Americans who have achieved success in government, the arts, and popular culture are the subjects of these clearly written biographies. The emphasis is on public success and career growth, never going much deeper to acknowledge idiosyncrasies or personal flaws. Still, the books will be sufficient for those seeking basic biographical information. Illustrated with average-quality black-and-white photos. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Library of Famous Women series. Short chapters covering childhood, education, early careers, and current success are amply illustrated with color photographs. The books' casual tone is not appropriate to every topic, however. Albright particularly contains unnecessary personal information, such as her taste in jewelry and where she as U.N. ambassador hosted lunches. A list of websites is included in both books. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Burgan documents Albright's career, particularly her responsibilities as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and as Secretary of State, consequently providing an account of U.S. involvement in foreign affairs since WWI. The accessible text, illustrated with dark black-and-white photos, briefly touches on this influential woman's family history and personal life, but focuses on her outspoken, cut-to-the-chase style in her political role. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Mary Burkey

(3) 4-6 Women of Achievement series. Published spring 1998.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) YA A & E Biography series. These books provide plenty of information and detail about the personal and professional lives of these individuals. The occasionally dry texts succeed in providing historical context, events, and insights on each person's life, although Albright doesn't measure up to the other two titles. The volumes are illustrated with photographs. Mandela contains a pronunciation guide. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee