(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 Latino Biography Library series. The contributions of three prominent Latino Americans--educator Escalante (of Stand and Deliver fame), actor Prinze, and actor/comedian Lopez--are covered in these serviceable biographies. The texts are choppy, but the information provided is fairly wide-ranging. Sidebars offer some historical perspective; average-quality photos round out the presentations. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Latino Biography Library titles: George Lopez, Freddie Prince, Jr., and Jaime Escalante.

Reviewer: Alissa C. Salamone

(4) 4-6 Latinos famosos series. These biographies detail the lives of six notable Latinos, pointing out both the struggles and achievements in their personal lives and careers. The writing varies in style from active and engaging (Chávez, Clemente) to more flat. Numerous photographs and other visual support (e.g., artwork reproductions in Kahlo) help give faces to these important figures. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Latinos famosos titles: César Chávez, Diego Rivera, Ellen Ochoa, Frida Kahlo, George Lopez, and Roberto Clemente.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Famous Latinos series. These biographies of astronaut Ochoa and comedian Lopez aren't up to the other titles in this worthwhile series: both have a flat quality, repeat some information, and leave the reader with questions (e.g., why did NASA keep turning down Ochoa? What "different jobs" did the twenty-something Lopez hold?). The plentiful photos in each book help give the subjects dimension. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram