(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Mark Oldroyd. These brief easy-to-read biographies introduce independent readers to three historical figures. The dry overviews cover each subject's childhood and adult accomplishments, discussing how each came to be a leader. The short lines of text and competent color illustrations on every page are appropriate for the reading level. Timeline. Review covers these On My Own Biography titles: Leif Eriksson, Sojourner Truth, and Cesar Chavez.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Matthew Archambault. These brief easy-to-read biographies introduce independent readers to three historical figures. The dry overviews cover each subject's childhood and adult accomplishments, discussing how each came to be a leader. The short lines of text and competent color illustrations on every page are appropriate for the reading level. Timeline. Review covers these On My Own Biography titles: Leif Eriksson, Sojourner Truth, and Cesar Chavez.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Mark Schroder. These brief easy-to-read biographies introduce independent readers to three historical figures. The dry overviews cover each subject's childhood and adult accomplishments, discussing how each came to be a leader. The short lines of text and competent color illustrations on every page are appropriate for the reading level. Timeline. Review covers these On My Own Biography titles: Leif Eriksson, Sojourner Truth, and Cesar Chavez.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(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) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. Considering vocabulary and sentence limitations, these authors adequately present the lives of their subjects: Banneker pioneered as a black farmer, surveyor, and almanac writer; Coleman as a black woman pilot; and Nightingale as a wealthy Englishwoman who founded a nursing school and corps. The biographies' illustrations are colorful if somewhat static. Afterword, timeline. [Review covers these On My Own Biography titles: Benjamin Banneker, Bessie Coleman, and Florence Nightingale.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Janice Lee Porter. Considering vocabulary and sentence limitations, these authors adequately present the lives of their subjects: Banneker pioneered as a black farmer, surveyor, and almanac writer; Coleman as a black woman pilot; and Nightingale as a wealthy Englishwoman who founded a nursing school and corps. The biographies' illustrations are colorful if somewhat static. Afterword, timeline. [Review covers these On My Own Biography titles: Benjamin Banneker, Bessie Coleman, and Florence Nightingale.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Nicolas Debon. Considering vocabulary and sentence limitations, these authors adequately present the lives of their subjects: Banneker pioneered as a black farmer, surveyor, and almanac writer; Coleman as a black woman pilot; and Nightingale as a wealthy Englishwoman who founded a nursing school and corps. The biographies' illustrations are colorful if somewhat static. Afterword, timeline. [Review covers these On My Own Biography titles: Benjamin Banneker, Bessie Coleman, and Florence Nightingale.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Elaine Verstraete. Hale, accompanied by oil illustrations, focuses on the patriot who was hung for spying on British troops in New York. Keller, illustrated with soft color art, is yet another biography on this inspirational woman. Neither provides detailed information about their subjects, but both easy-to-read books are adequate introductions. An afterword and timeline are appended. [Review covers these On My Own titles: Helen Keller and Nathan Hale.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Rodney S. Pate. Illustrated with muted color drawings depicting Robinson at different points in his remarkable life, this biography of the first African-American major league baseball player emphasizes the influence of race and family on his career and his personal life. This is a straightforward if somewhat fictionalized introduction to a baseball legend for newly independent readers. A list of important dates is appended.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Craig Orback. Hale, accompanied by oil illustrations, focuses on the patriot who was hung for spying on British troops in New York. Keller, illustrated with soft color art, is yet another biography on this inspirational woman. Neither provides detailed information about their subjects, but both easy-to-read books are adequate introductions. An afterword and timeline are appended. [Review covers these On My Own titles: Helen Keller and Nathan Hale.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Jeni Reeves. This beginning-reader biography is laudably straightforward about the reliability of information about Pocahontas. The author follows through by noting the sources for particular incidents: such as Pocahontas's allegedly saving John Smith's life and why it might not be true (e.g., Smith was a braggart). Occasionally awkward drawings illustrate the brief text; a timeline and afterword are appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Smith Kimanne. This brief, easy-to-read biography focuses on Quaker Prudence Crandall's fight to run a school for black girls against the wishes of the bigoted townspeople in Canterbury, Connecticut. The text and adequate color illustrations provide readers with a glimpse at life for women and minorities in the pre-Civil War north. An author's note, afterword, and chronology are included.

Reviewer: Deborah L. Thompson

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Elaine Verstraete. Mother Teresa's extraordinary life, vision, and humanity are conveyed in this straightforward biography. The text's simple language will encourage newly independent readers, though the frequent line breaks, while also appropriate for the reading level, sometimes hamper comprehension. Earth-toned illustrations capture the tranquil mood of the story. A time line highlights important dates.

Reviewer: Mary R. Holt

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Elaine Verstraete. Accurate information, supporting illustrations in soft colors, and helpful chapter divisions headed by dates strengthen this abbreviated account of Bell's life and accomplishments, from his work with the deaf to the telephone. Occasionally the short sentence structure seems unsuited to explain the material. An afterword and a time line extend the information.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Loren Chantland. A brief, easy-to-read narrative follows the life of the well-celebrated frontiersman from boyhood in Exeter, Pennsylvania, to the wilds of North Carolina to unsettled Kentucky in the 1770s. The adequate text is accompanied by scratchboard-looking drawings, which don't provide much detail but do give a sense of the time. A chronology is appended.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 On My Own Biography series. Illustrated by Janice Lee Porter. Packed with information and illustrated with bold, folk-flavored artwork, this easy-to-read book explores the life of John Chapman from his childhood to his life as a frontiersman. The concise text both acknowledges that scant facts of Chapman's life are available and clearheadedly challenges some well-known legends about this popular folk hero. Bib.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli