(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Movie Makers series. Each bio-critical profile focuses on the director's success on one film or franchise. Complemented by photos and sidebars, the narratives intermix details regarding the subjects' personal lives and their professional careers. While the adulatory biographies read like rave reviews themselves, they do provide an excerpt from both a positive and a negative review of the film. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Checkerboard Library: Movie Makers titles: George Lucas, J. J. Abrams, Jennifer Lee, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, and John Lasseter.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ralph McQuarrie. Using the original "concept paintings" for the first three films (episodes four through six) to guide his faithful narrative, DiTerlizzi follows Luke Skywalker on his epic quest to "fulfill his destiny." As with all things Star Wars, young fans will be thrilled with this picture-book treatment, even if the striking illustrations are sometimes hard to interpret.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) YA Essential Critiques series. From a clear definition of critical theory and its purpose to practical applications, this series presents well-written introductions to the analysis of film. Each volume begins with a biographical sketch of the title director followed by four critical discussions of his work. A "You Critique It" assignment provides additional guidance. The books are worthy resources for thinking critically and developing and defending a thesis. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Critiques titles: How to Analyze the Films of George Lucas, How to Analyze the Films of James Cameron, and How to Analyze the Films of Tim Burton.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Behind the Camera series. Each book in this series profiles an award-winning director, balancing biographical information and professional accomplishments. The directors' films are examined at length, but unfortunately without much depth, in facile texts that contain omissions as well as some factual errors. Average-quality color photographs and movie stills illustrate the books, which also include filmographies and timelines. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Behind the Camera titles: Rob Reiner, James Cameron, Ron Howard, George Lucas, Spike Lee, and Steven Spielberg.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Heinemann Profiles series. These standard-issue biographies feature an easy-to-read text, captioned photos, quotations by and about the subject, and rather busy layouts. Occasionally the text is misleading, but overall the facts are presented in a fairly balanced manner. Depending on the subject, a time line, a list of films, or a list of recordings is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Heinemann Profiles titles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Henry Ford, Elvis Presley, George Lucas.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Book Report Biography series. Illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs, these biographies emphasize each subject's strengths and contributions to this country. Brief period anecdotes and historic highlights peppered throughout the books place each life within the broader context of her times. Readers will gain a sense how each of these women helped shape her husband's presidency. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA A & E Biography series. These biographies examine the lives of four twentieth-century figures who achieved fame in vastly different fields (though two--Glenn and Ventura--both ended up in politics). The books, illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs, provide a broad overview of each individual's achievements in prose that is more serviceable than inspired. Lucas contains a filmography. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA People in the News series. Tracing the lives and careers of six notable figures, these admiring biographies are generally superficial in tone. The most recent events in the subjects' lives are sometimes given brief coverage but are not explored in any depth--making the books seem already dated. Murky black-and-white photographs of varying quality illustrate the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta