(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Awesome Athletes series. Geared toward middle-grade readers, these slight overviews cover each star athlete's childhood and early career, including personal obstacles overcome (gender/racial barriers, single-parent families, truancy), before focusing on professional success and achievements. Two-page chapters don't offer any depth, but lots of game/competition highlights, stock photos, and action shots will please fans. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Awesome Athletes titles: Danica Patrick, Gabby Douglas, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Biographies series. Highlighting Douglas's success as the first African American gymnast to win gold in the individual all-around event at the Olympics, this profile moves largely chronologically through its subject's life and career. The content-light text is easy to read and should appeal to new and reluctant readers. Many promotional-looking photos add to the books' teen-magazine appearance. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Allison Cole