(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ekua Holmes. This large book, with its lush, vivid mixed-media illustrations, makes an artistic statement as bold as groundbreaking African American congresswoman Jordan's own giant voice. Smart page-turns--often prompted by repeating the titular question--lead readers to think about, rather than simply learn about, Jordan's life. Barton’s overriding theme is that her big ideas--of justice, equality, and freedom--inspire others and will resonate for years to come. Reading list, timeline.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(4) 4-6 Versus series. Each volume pits a present-day superstar against one from an earlier era. Comparisons include technical skills, statistics and records, and past or potential legacies. Sports fans will appreciate the many action photographs illustrating the choppy but accessible texts; side-by-side charts provide additional data. No attempt is made to name the superior athlete: that decision is left to the reader. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Versus titles: Lionel Messi vs. Pelé, Tiger Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus, Sidney Crosby vs. Wayne Gretzky, LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan, Serena Williams vs. Billie Jean King, and Tom Brady vs. Joe Montana.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Playmakers series. These volumes provide brief profiles of basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, football, and golf standouts. The choppy texts focus on each player's biggest games to date (through early 2017) and impressive statistical accomplishments, while also touching on his or her background and personal life. Color photographs capture the athletic action. "Fun Facts and Quotes" are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Playmakers titles: Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Spieth, Serena Williams, Bryce Harper, Stephen Curry, and Neymar.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) 4-6 Princess Haya of Jordan, whose mother died when she was three, raises an orphaned Arabian foal named Bree. After much training, they ride for the Royal Stables in the Jordanian King's Cup. Details of Princess Haya's Bedouin ancestry and her challenges at boarding school in England enliven this sweet, heartening girl-and-horse tale based on the real-life Olympic equestrienne Princess Haya's accomplishments.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Hall of Fame Sports Greats series. Originally published in the Sports Great series, these formulaic, somewhat updated biographies of players (all now retired) provide brief information about their early lives, then delve into specific games or important playing seasons. Occasional quotes from teammates and coaches (unsourced) provide some insight into the men's personalities, but the books mostly focus on on-field accomplishments. Color photos throughout enliven the chapter-book presentation for reluctant readers. Websites. Ind. Review covers these Hall of Fame Sports Greats titles: Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripkin, Jr., Deion Sanders, and Troy Aikman.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Creation of the Modern Middle East series. These books (most revised and updated) are straightforward histories of Middle Eastern countries (though the area's volatility makes the series immediately out of date). The texts are dry, but they do an adequate job of providing background. Useful maps delineate the region's geography, and the many photographs add interest. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Creation of the Modern Middle East titles: Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) YA Barakat tells about her girlhood in Palestine. Most of the book takes place during 1967's Six-Day War and its aftermath, when her family members, having fled Ramallah for Jordan, find themselves living as refugees. Reading and writing help sustain Barakat through the uncertainty of everyday life. The author relates her idiosyncratic collection of memories in vivid, poetic prose. Reading list.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann

(2) K-3 Michael Jordan's energy and determination showed up early on, but his ability to win did not. Cooper uses young Michael's defeats to demonstrate how losing can be motivational. Didactic though the picture book text may be, the faces of the people in Cooper's oil paintings tell the story without words, each person distinctly individual and expressive. A long biographical note is appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2004

(4) K-3 Welcome to My Country series. The geography, history, politics, and economics of Jordan and Taiwan receive broad topical treatment in these books. Additional information on arts, food, festivals, and leisure activities enjoyed by each country's people are noted. Good-quality captioned photos add appeal to these introductions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Welcome to My Country titles: Welcome to Jordan and Welcome to Taiwan.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) YA Modern Middle East Nations and Their Strategic Place in the World series. This volume covers all the usual bases for student reports: history, geography, economy, culture, and current events. Elaborate decorative borders try to evoke tradition but seem at odds with the emphasis on the "modern." The inexplicable omission of Queen Noor, the American wife of the recently deceased King Hussein, is jarring. The book is illustrated with well-captioned photos. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Countries of the World series. Moving quickly through an overview section, these books then feature closer looks at selected topics, including health and the fight against polio in Bangladesh, feng shui (the art of placing objects to bring about harmony) in Taiwan, and wildlife conservation in Jordan. While the captions sometimes interrupt the flow of the competent text, the photos are often striking. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries of the World titles: Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Jordan.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Michael Jordan's mother and sister share a story from his childhood. Young Michael worries that his small size will hold him back when playing basketball with his older brothers. His mother advises him to put salt in his shoes and say a prayer every night, while his father tells him that practice and determination, not height, are what he needs. Detailed illustrations capture the story's warm and supportive family atmosphere.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) YA In 1972 Barbara Jordan was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas, the first black woman from the South to gain that office. This admiring biography, though pedestrian when describing her childhood and the background of segregation, picks up when delving into her later political life. The dreary book design is enlivened by black-and-white photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Alternating biographical chapters on Jordan and Pippen merge when the two meet as teammates for the Chicago Bulls. Cooperation and teamwork emerge as keys to success, evident in these athletes' respectful relationship--the "best one-two punch" in basketball. Black-and-white photographs illustrate the easy-to-read text, which balances a generous amount of statistics with engaging personal histories. Ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(3) 4-6 Book Report Biography series. Beginning with a turning point in its subject's life, each book looks back to cover childhood and early training, then moves forward to unfolding careers. Achievements, awards, and public persona are ably outlined. In Sitting Bull, however, the individual is secondary to a retelling of the displacement of Native groups and the resulting battles. Black-and-white photos illustrate each book. Sitting Bull and Spike Lee contain glossaries. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges