(4) K-3 Zoom In on First Ladies series. These starter biographies have fact-driven texts illustrated with uncaptioned photos (or historical art in Washington). The choppy writing is easy to read, but the volumes provide little in the way of substantive background about these First Ladies. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on First Ladies titles: Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Martha Washington, Michelle Obama, and Nancy Reagan.

Reviewer:

(4) YA It's 1959 and Casey desperately wants to be a dancer--despite her total lack of training. She auditions for the School of American Ballet but instead receives a scholarship to the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, where she thrives. Casey's overdone country-girl naiveté and her improbable opportunity strain belief, but her dedication rings true. Contrasts between novice dancer Casey and the aging Graham add poignancy.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Brian Floca. After choreographer Martha Graham asked composer Aaron Copland and sculptor/set designer Isamu Noguchi to collaborate with her on a new ballet, the iconic Appalachian Spring was born. Using spare, concise sentences, the authors echo Graham's approach to dance: nothing's wasted, and in such exactness lies beauty. Floca's fluid, energetic line and watercolor illustrations also reflect the plain boldness of Graham's choreography. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2010

(4) 4-6 Women of Achievement series. This series contextualizes its subjects' lives and accomplishments in politics, culture, and/or history. The books, though dense and lengthy, are well written; sidebars supplement the narratives with interesting facts (e.g., women in the 1920s used radium to curl their hair; both Hillary and Bill Clinton have won Grammy awards). Photographs and reproductions illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rachael Ray, Marie Curie, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen DeGeneres, Martha Stewart, and Susan B. Anthony.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) K-3 Ten-year-old slave Oney appreciates that her mistress, Martha Washington, treats her well, but as she matures and her circumstances change with the times, she grows determined to become free. The subject matter is compelling, but the pages are text-heavy and the telling is rather banal. Meanwhile, the art is delicate and detailed though not especially sure-handed. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Karen Ritz. With soft illustrations on almost every page, the first-ever first lady is presented as a gracious hostess and a selfless helpmate to George. Beyond that, little about her own life and personality is included--the emphasis is on the historic events of the emerging United States. A period portrait of young Martha Custis (Washington), an afterword, and a timeline are included.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Women of Achievement series. Quoting profusely from their subjects, as well as their peers and historians, the books in this series offer laudatory biographies of these influential women. Joan uses extensive excerpts from trial transcripts and documents, although there are no source notes. Mostly dull black-and-white photos and reproductions do little to break up or extend the text. All the books include a timeline. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: Katharine Graham, Diane Sawyer, Joan of Arc, Amy Tan, Martha Stewart.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(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

(4) 4-6 People to Know series. With the exception of Hemingway, the subjects of these books have rarely been showcased in juvenile biographies, despite being individuals young people may know and find interesting. Although sometimes superficial, the adequately written volumes emphasize the talent, ambition, and work ethic that made the subjects win laurels and legions of fans. Illustrated with adequate black-and-white photographs, each book includes a chronology. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Book Report Biography series. Published spring 1998.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Library of Famous Women series. Short chapters covering childhood, education, early careers, and current success are amply illustrated with color photographs. The books' casual tone is not appropriate to every topic, however. Albright particularly contains unnecessary personal information, such as her taste in jewelry and where she as U.N. ambassador hosted lunches. A list of websites is included in both books. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges