(3) K-3 Illustrated by Katty Maurey. Skirting the less-savory aspects of Carnegie's biography (corrupt business dealings, the Homestead Strike, etc.), Larsen writes a plainspoken picture-book narrative of a hard-working and intellectually curious immigrant who grew to be a major philanthropist and builder of public libraries. Maurey's gentle, flattened figurative depictions have a subdued stateliness. The handsome, well-made book (sewn signatures, a lovely rarity!) includes an afterword with photos. Bib.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) YA Lerner Biographies series. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, the book charts Carnegie's rise from an ignoble childhood spent working in a cotton mill and as a messenger boy to his glory days as railway and steel mogul. The clear text also addresses the contradictory aspects of Carnegie's psyche, acknowledging both his ruthlessness in business and his philanthropy to schools and libraries. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. The lives of six famous figures are profiled in clear prose and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, reproductions, and maps. Information boxes provide diverting sidelights to the well-documented texts, and each volume ends with a chapter reiterating the achievements and historical legacy of the subject. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta