(3) K-3 Illustrated by Laura Freeman. This picture-book biography follows current House Speaker Pelosi's life and career, from her childhood in Baltimore through her rise to become one of the highest-ranking women in American politics. As daughter of Baltimore's first Italian American mayor, Pelosi was inspired by her parents' vision to lift up people in need. As a United States Congresswoman, her message to Americans, particularly to girls, is to be yourself and serve the greater good. The text's overall tone is both serious and inspiring, and the vivid, earnest illustrations capture that mood. A historical note, a brief interview with Pelosi, and a selected bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Hsu. This picture-book retrospective of current House Speaker Pelosi's life depicts her as a strong, independent girl, raised to champion those in need, who became a strong, independent American leader. Each page or spread features plot elements as well as direct quotes (on most of them) to support the narrative. Friendly, inviting illustrations show Pelosi at different stages of her life, in both personal and public scenes. Biographical, historical, and inspirational, this book does an effective job of personalizing a major historical figure and explaining why her contributions, including the 2010 Affordable Care Act, are so significant. A timeline and bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(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) YA People in the News series. From politicians to actors to world leaders, these biographies provide mostly adulatory portrayals of their subjects (with the exceptions of Castro and Kim Jong Il); occasionally something controversial slips in to spice up the texts. Each volume includes biographical information, photographs, and career highlights (through 2008). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Salma Hayek, Nancy Pelosi, Al Gore, Coretta Scott King, Pope Benedict XVI, Fidel Castro, and Kim Jong Il.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Gateway Biography series. This upbeat, laudatory biography gives young readers a brief look at Pelosi as a politician and first female speaker of the House of Representatives in addition to being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Though the text's details can be superficial ("Pelosi loves chocolate"), readers will come away with some general information about women in American politics. Many photographs illustrate the text. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) YA Political Profiles series. These profiles of seven politicians currently in the spotlight are thorough, concentrating heavily on childhood, background, and the forces that shaped these leaders. The volumes will quickly be dated (especially in the four on presidential candidates); Gore ends before his Nobel Peace Prize award. Photographs help break up the dense pages. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Political Profiles titles: Al Gore, Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin