(3) K-3 Illustrated by Oliver Dominguez. This affectionate picture-book biography of Pope Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, briefly covers his childhood and early years as a Jesuit priest dedicated to helping others before describing his papal achievements thus far. Dominguez's warm acrylic, gouache, watercolor, and ink art highlights the hopeful enthusiasm that permeates the text. Otheguy's appended note discusses her Latinx family's connection to Catholicism. Timeline. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Real-Life Story series. This in-depth biography examines the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who became Pope Francis in 2013, richly detailing his upbringing in Argentina and his progression from Jesuit novice. Bergoglio's humility, love for the poor, and dedication to social justice are emphasized alongside political and social upheavals in Argentina and within the Catholic Church. A well-rounded and -researched portrait. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Who HQ: Who Was...? series. Illustrated by Dede Putra. Grosset's long-running Who Was...? series is re-branded. These readable, informative biographies are marred only by the caricatured cover illustrations (typical of the classic series) and interior pencil illustrations that are inconsistent in style. Otherwise, these will give young readers a good sense of who these people were (or are). Occasional full- and double-page text boxes successfully illuminate related topics. Timeline. Bib. Review covers these Who HQ: Who Was...? titles: Who Was Jane Austen?, Who Was Chuck Jones?, Who Was Coretta Scott King?, Who Is Ralph Lauren? Who Was Alexander Hamilton?, Who Was Lewis Carroll?, Who Is Pope Francis?, and Who Was Andrew Jackson?.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. These beginning-reader biographies provide very basic outlines of their subjects' lives and importance. Readers will come away with enough background information to get a sense of how each subject has made an impact on the world. The photographs and sidebars are informative, but the overall layout is excessively busy. Timeline. Glos. Review covers these National Geographic Readers titles: Rosa Parks and Pope Francis.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 4-6 Newsmakers series. This accessibly written series is notable for its clean layout, including color photographs, sidebars, and charts. The mostly complimentary narratives are solid overviews of their subjects' early lives, successes, and failures. A "Stop and Think" feature offers discussion questions that can be used for assignments. For the living subjects, the content will soon become outdated. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Newsmakers titles: Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Vladimir Putin, Malala Yousafzai, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Nelson Mandela, and Pope Francis.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Gateway Biographies series. This unremarkable biography covers the life of Jorge Bergoglio from his childhood growing up in Buenos Aires to his rise as a Jesuit leader to his election as Pope in 2013; the narrative also touches on controversial issues such as Bergoglio's actions during Argentina's "dirty war." The photographs, sidebars, and historical context serve as useful supportive material. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth