(4) K-3 NASCAR Heroes series. These books highlight the paths taken to the top by four popular NASCAR drivers. Each volume superficially covers information about the subject's background, early racing record, and the struggles encountered in attaining his goals. Reluctant readers will appreciate the accessible (though choppy) writing style, the numerous photographs, and the "Fast Fact" sidebars that provide additional information. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these NASCAR Heroes titles: Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Kyle Busch.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Heroes of Racing series. This series profiles contemporary race car drivers, focusing mainly on their careers. Each first chapter describes a career high point, then subsequent chapters sketch out childhood and the ups and downs of the subject's racing development. Though the information is superficial, there's enough detail to hook racing fans. Photographs, sidebars, and statistical charts enhance the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Heroes of Racing titles: Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Mark Martin, and Matt Kenseth.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Race Car Legends series. These books (all but Danica are revised) include behind-the-scenes details that will please racing fans. The biographies profile the racing greats' lives and careers; Need introduces types of auto racing and traces the continuing quest for faster cars. The design is unremarkable and the texts bland, but the books are quite informative. Sidebars and captioned photos of varying quality appear throughout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review includes these Race Car Legends titles: Jeff Gordon, The Jarretts, Danica Patrick, Mark Martin, The Need for Speed, The Allisons, and A. J. Foyt.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(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) 4-6 Amazing Athletes series. After an introductory chapter, each of these formulaic profiles cover an athlete's childhood and early career. The remaining sections focus on professional accomplishments and highlights. Despite the perfunctory nature of these brief treatments, a colorful page design, crisp photographs, and large print should appeal to younger and reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Amazing Athletes titles: Venus & Serena Williams, Ichiro Suzuki, Jeff Gordon, and Tiger Woods.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Sports Great Books series. The formulaic, adulatory books in this series adequately profile a superstar athlete, briefly covering the subject's childhood and college (or early) career before focusing on professional success. The text features lots of important game (or race) highlights and is accompanied by repetitive black-and-white action shots. Fans and report writers will be satisfied. A chart of career stats is appended. Ind. [Review covers these titles: Sports Great Alex Rodriguez, Sports Great Jeff Gordon, Sports Great Vince Carter, Sports Great Tim Duncan.]

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Granato, captain of the 1998 gold-medal-winning U.S. Olympic women's ice hockey team, and NASCAR driver Gordon are the subjects of these soft-focus biographies. Illustrated with unexceptional color photographs, the books recount some professional challenges and triumphs and offer a fan magazine look at the athletes' personal lives. A chart listing career highlights is included in each. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 New Wave series. These admiring biographies profile five young stars of professional basketball, auto racing, tennis, and track and field. The books discuss their subjects' remarkable talents and the intense dedication that propelled them to early success but don't delve very deeply into their personal lives. The color photos aren't always engaging, but the texts offer much of interest to fans. Ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck