(4) 4-6 Sports Star Champions series. These formulaic biographies feature accessible texts describing the careers of famous athletes and plenty of full-page color photographs. The open, non-intimidating pages and information that should satisfy book-report requirements recommend the titles for purchase. Difficulties some of the athletes have had (such as "personal problems" for Bryant and steroid use for Rodriguez) are acknowledged but not sensationalized. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Star Champions titles: Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Payton Manning, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 SportsZone: Playmakers series. Focusing on the stars' sports accomplishments and game highlights, these brief, adulatory profiles also touch on the players' childhoods and personal lives along with mentioning charitable contributions to their communities. Brees and Bryant are slightly better organized than the other two. The many clear photographs will satisfy sports fans. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Playmakers titles: Drew Brees, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Sidney Crosby.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard: Awesome Athletes series. These books for reluctant readers briefly cover each subject's early years before focusing on his or her athletic career. The coverage is superficial and adulatory but accessible; controversy and adversity are ignored. Action photos, a timeline, and stats help break up the text. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard: Awesome Athletes titles: Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki, Tony Hawk, Kobe Bryant, Venus & Serena Williams, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. These sports biographies feature large color photographs and readable texts. While plenty of books about the profiled athletes already exist, these books are noteworthy for their interesting anecdotes and well-balanced accounts of the stars' lives. Photos and stories from childhood through current competitions are included. Kobe doesn't mention his recent legal troubles. Reading list, stats, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Derek Jeter, Jeff Gordon, Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, and Venus Williams.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. These formulaic biographies outline the athletic careers of four professional basketball players. With only stock photographs from each player's professional team and a brief chapter on his childhood, the books offer little depth. The large print, readable text, and color photographs, however, may encourage young fans. Career statistics and contact information are included. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Super Sports titles: Super Sports Star Gary Payton, Super Sports Star Penny Hardaway, Super Sports Star Kevin Garnett, Super Sports Star Kobe Bryant.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 The struggles and meteoric success of the young Los Angeles Lakers' superstar are summarized in this adequate sports biography. Bryant grew up in Italy where he followed his father's basketball career. Bryant's own career took off when his family returned to live in the United States. Drafted out of high school, Bryant became the youngest athlete to play in the NBA All-Star Game. Plenty of action shots are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 New Wave series. Each laudatory profile traces a gifted child-athlete's rise to top-notch sports star. Most chapters are devoted to play-by-play descriptions of crucial games, which will satisfy many fans, but readers interested in a glimpse of the athletes' lives off the field will have to look elsewhere. Statistics and quotes from coaches and teammates are sprinkled throughout each book. Black-and-white and color photos are included. Ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Basketball Legends series. Several black-and-white action photographs accompany the career statistics and play-by-play game details of six noteworthy and popular NBA players. While their athletic accomplishments are impressive, their "legendary" status may be premature, since most in this group have only entered the league within the last four years. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck