(3) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. From heroes and heroines to bandits and beloved American icons, these balanced titles consistently sort fact from fiction and confirm each figure's place in history. First chapters successfully introduce the subjects and draw readers in by describing dynamic events. Archival photographs, maps, primary sources, and sidebars combine with dry but informative texts to complete these well-documented biographies. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Americans--The Spirit of a Nation titles: Jesse James, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Billy the Kid, and Johnny Appleseed.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Outlaws and Lawmen of the Wild West series. These slight biographies "drawn from firsthand reports" combine known facts about Old West outlaws and lawmen with the many legends about their exploits, leaving questions about historical accuracy. Nevertheless, readers will be drawn into the books, especially when their subjects' lives overlap. These new editions have been revised and updated, including more dramatic covers. Many photographs appear throughout. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Outlaws and Lawmen of the Wild West titles: Belle Starr, Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, Jesse James, Wild Bill Hickok, and Wyatt Earp.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Best of the West Biographies series. Each of these books tells the story of a legend of the American West: one lawman, an African-American cowboy, and two notorious outlaws. Archival photographs and drawings enhance the sometimes choppy texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers theses Best of the West Biographies titles: Bill Pickett, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, and Wyatt Earp.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Adventures in Time series. Fourteen-year-old Will Sasse dreams of raising beautiful riding horses like his mare, Star, but his practical father believes that only strong horses bred for work belong on a Minnesota farm. When Jesse James's gang of outlaws robs the Northfield bank, Will and his father join a posse to catch them and soon learn to understand each other better. Horse lovers and Jesse James fans will enjoy this well-researched tale.

Reviewer: Mary R. Holt

(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