(4) K-3 Premier Presidents series. The cursory presidential biography series continues. The texts, written in short, choppy sentences, provide little in the way of detail or new information, but an age-appropriate layout features a large font, plenty of white space, and several captioned photos or paintings. Trump focuses (by publication-date necessity) on the 2016 campaign and his pre-presidency business ventures. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Premier Presidents titles: Donald Trump, James Monroe, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George H. W. Bush, Andrew Jackson, Grover Cleveland, James Carter, and Woodrow Wilson.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Books: United States Presidents series. These large-print biographies include very general information related to each president, beginning with a brief biographical timeline and continuing with succinct descriptions of events leading up to and during their presidency. Relevant paintings and photographs and occasional sidebars accompany the unoriginal texts. Back matter highlights the three branches of government, the line of succession, and an inspiring quote from that president. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Buddy Books: United States Presidents titles: Chester Arthur, George H.W. Bush, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, James Buchanan, and George W. Bush.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) YA America's Great Political Families series. This well-written, thoroughly researched series delves into the lives and careers of presidential families, providing in-depth looks at multiple family members. From family histories and drama to political scandals, criticisms, and maneuvers, each subject is explored in a clear, objective, and engaging way. Each volume includes archival photos, a family tree, and appended "fun facts." Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following America's Great Political Families titles: The Kennedys, The Roosevelts, The Bushes, and The Clintons.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Presidential Perspectives series. These books look at significant events by focusing on the sitting presidents' actions and motivations. The simply written texts are informative; some events are presented out of chronological order, but timelines help reorient readers. Sidebars include opposing viewpoints, primary source quotes, writing prompts, and critical-thinking questions. The open design includes archival reproductions and photos. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Presidential Perspectives titles: The Civil Rights Movement through the Eyes of Lyndon B. Johnson, World War I through the Eyes of Woodrow Wilson, September 11 through the Eyes of George W. Bush, and The Louisiana Purchase through the Eyes of Thomas Jefferson.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Books: United States Presidents series. These large-print biographies include very general information related to each president, beginning with a brief biographical timeline and continuing with succinct descriptions of events leading up to and during their presidency. Relevant paintings and photographs and occasional sidebars accompany the unoriginal texts. Back matter highlights the three branches of government, the line of succession, and an inspiring quote from that president. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Big Buddy Books: United States Presidents titles: Chester Arthur, George H.W. Bush, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, James Buchanan, and George W. Bush.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Real-Life Story series. These well-researched biographies (accompanied by black-and-white photo inserts) detail the subjects' lives, starting with early childhood and moving thoughtfully through career highs and lows. Engaging, accessible descriptions of complicated issues in Bush and Obama balance the mostly complementary tone and provide a compelling introduction to the political process. Jobs respectfully traces the evolution of a sometimes challenging but visionary personality. Timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Real-Life Story titles: Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Steve Jobs.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) YA Landmark Supreme Court Cases series. These books chronicle events leading to and results stemming from selected Supreme Court decisions. Basic information includes key individuals as well as specifics related to the cases, the court challenges, and the final decisions. Photographs, archival images, and maps are included. Numerous sidebars extend and clarify the readable texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib. glos., ind. Review covers these Landmark Supreme Court Cases titles: Miranda v. Arizona, Dred Scott v. Sandford, Korematsu v. The United States, and Bush v. Gore.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Modern World Leaders series. By placing the featured leader in a historical context, this series, part history and part biography, challenges the reader to consider the concept of leadership. Each book features a comprehensive discussion of the subject's childhood experiences and rise to power, significant historical events, international relationships, and ideology. The text is dense; some photographs and drawings help break up the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Leaders titles: Jacques Chirac, Tony Blair, George W. Bush, Hugo Chávez, The Saudi Royal Family, Pope John Paul II, Vladimir Putin, and Pervez Musharraf.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Presidential Leaders series. Focusing primarily on Bush's youth, college years, and the road leading to the presidency, this biography effectively uses quotes from Bush to highlight his history and beliefs. Black-and-white photos illustrate the pages without extending the text. Report writers may be disappointed by the lack of information about his presidential years. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 People to Know Today series. All five of these biographers write about their subjects in glowing terms. With the exception of Frost, the books offer limited, anecdote-heavy information. Many photographs, sidebars, and pull-out quotes support the texts, and their clean design makes the chronologies easy to follow. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People to Know Today titles: Laura Bush, J.K. Rowling, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert Frost, and George W. Bush.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. A clearly written, if overly favorable portrait recounts Bush's life from boyhood through his schooling and career successes and failures up until June 2003. His strongly held positions on contentious national issues are described and balanced by explanations of his opponents' views. The text is complemented by sidebars of document excerpts (e.g., his first Inaugural Address) and black-and-white photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Landmark Supreme Court Cases series. Starting with the background of the lower-court cases in the Florida recount, this title examines the points of law, arguments, and decision in Bush v. Gore. Hewing closely to the legal aspects of the contest, the book nevertheless gives some of the atmosphere surrounding the decision, maintaining a balanced tone without avoiding the tough questions. Discussion questions end the book. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Adulatory prose traces Bush's life from prep school student and World War II hero through his years as congressman, CIA director, and president of the United States. Illustrated with black-and-white photos, the volume provides more depth and detail than George H. W. Bush by Michael A. Schuman, also reviewed in this issue. Directory, timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Headliners series. The campaign, election-night confusion, and long court battles over hand-counting ballots in the 2000 presidential election are described in strong narrative prose, illustrated with sometimes blurry color photos. A chapter on the history of the electoral college is helpful but could have been more clearly organized. Minor errors aside, this version of events (with timeline) generally captures the situation. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Major World Leaders series. Students researching current events will appreciate these volumes about six newsworthy subjects. Workmanlike prose balances biographical details with information--both positive and negative--about how these political figures have led, or continue to lead, their countries. The accompanying color photos are often pallid. Timelines are included. There are six other fall 2002 books in this series. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Major World Leaders titles: Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, Anwar Sadat, Saddam Hussein, Vladimir Putin, and Yasir Arafat.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. This somewhat rushed overview presents a balanced portrait of Bush's personal life and professional triumphs as senator, vice president, and commander in chief without ignoring the image problems that sometimes dogged his political career. A final chapter discusses his legacy. The book is illustrated with standard black-and-white photos and samplings from source documents. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 War on Terrorism series. Each volume in this series covers a different aspect of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including homeland defense, rescue workers, and the response of the global community. The prose is adequate, and the accompanying color photos are not always well reproduced, but the events are so intrinsically dramatic that the books are sure to garner readers. All but Leaders and Eagle contain timelines. Glos., ind. [Review covers these War on Terrorism titles: Operation Noble Eagle; Ground Zero; Heroes of the Day; United We Stand; America's Leaders; September 11, 2001.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Notable Americans series. In chronicling his life from birth through the middle of his first year as president, this admiring biography emphasizes Bush's winning personality but reports his various scrapes as well. The writing style is poor and often pretentious, but the inclusion of the more controversial aspects of Bush's life is commendable. The book contains a time line and several black-and-white photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Though centuries may separate the subjects of the volumes in this series, all have played prominent political or cultural roles. Their life stories are relayed in sometimes rushed prose, but these books will make acceptable starting points for those seeking basic biographical information. The texts are accompanied by average-quality photos and historical reproductions in black and white and in color. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, Oprah Winfrey, George W. Bush, The Beatles, Benjamin Franklin.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 United States Presidents series. Each of these ten books includes brief biographical information, a list of stats about the individual (place of birth, parents' names, religion, etc.), a time line of the president's life and achievements, and two pages explaining the role of the president and the other two branches of government. Report writers will find the basic facts but will need to look elsewhere for substantive information. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow