(4) YA People in the News series. Each title touches on the public figure's early years, later life, and achievements. Though the writing tends to be overly laudatory, difficult issues are occasionally addressed, especially in the Karzai volume (e.g., corruption allegations against him, his increasing criticism of the West). Sidebars cover more general topics, adding some context. Many photographs are included. There are eight other fall 2011 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Katy Perry, George Lopez, Sonia Sotomayor, Lady Gaga, and Hamid Karzai.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA Modern World Leaders series. By placing the featured leader in a historical context, this series, part history and part biography, challenges readers to consider the concept of leadership. Each title includes a discussion of childhood experiences, rise to power, significant historical events, international relationships, and political ideology. Photographs provide additional perspectives and break up the dense text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Leaders titles: Hamid Karzai, Viktor Yushchenko, Ariel Sharon, and Hosni Mubarak.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Major World Leaders series. Solid if impersonal introductions to five men who have played varying roles in the modern era, these volumes provide a good deal of historical background alongside the life stories of these contemporary leaders. Karzai is the liveliest book. Photographs help to break up the text. There are no source notes for quotations. Chronology, reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Major World Leaders titles: Gerhard Schroeder, Fidel Castro, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, and Hamid Karzai.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt