(3) K-3 She Persisted series. Illustrated by Gillian Flint. "Life would lead her down a path of hard work, luck and privilege that would eventually make her the first American woman in space." From her childhood in California where she excelled in tennis (and considered playing professionally) to earning a PhD in physics, to being selected into NASA's space program, to her pivotal role in the Challenger-disaster investigation, this entry in the chapter-book biography series (conceived by Chelsea Clinton) offers a well-rounded portrait not only of its subject but also of the obstacles faced by women in science and in astronautics. The short chapters are broken up by friendly black-and-white illustrations, making the presentation welcoming to younger elementary-age students. Back matter includes suggestions to learn more about Ride and space as well as a list of books and websites.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 STEM Trailblazer Bios series. Each volume details the life of a significant person in a STEM-related field. Emphasis is placed on the individual's childhood, education, and development of a specific interest, as well as notable contributions. The prose is stilted but informative, and many photographs are included alongside sidebars of related information and "Tech Talk" quotes by the featured trailblazer. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these STEM Trailblazer Bios titles: Google Cybersecurity Expert Parisa Tabriz, Astronaut and Physicist Sally Ride, Code-Breaker and Mathematician Alan Turing, NASA Astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, Science Educator and Advocate Bill Nye, and Environmental Activist Wangari Maathai.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Museum Mysteries series. Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. These museum-set mysteries involve the disappearance of paleontologists and dinosaur fossils (Mom) and Sally Ride's space suit (Space). The diverse cast (including an African American computer geek with two moms and a headscarf-wearing Somali American who loves astronomy) is superficially developed, but the fast-paced plots will appeal to mystery fans. Full-color illustrations, discussion questions, and writing prompts are included. Timeline. Glos. Review covers the following Museum Mysteries titles: The Case of the Missing Mom and The Case of the Stolen Space Suit.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 Adventures in Space series. Organized chronologically, these slender space-flight-oriented biographies discuss their subjects' training and give step-by-step accounts of their groundbreaking missions: Armstrong as the first human on the moon and Ride as the first American woman in space. Plentiful photos, sidebars, diagrams, and details on astronauts' routines convey a you-are-there feeling, while later chapters cover the astronauts' lives back on Earth. Reading list, timeline, Glos., ind. Review covers these Adventures in Space titles: Neil Armstrong and Traveling to the Moon and Sally Ride and the Shuttle Missions.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 The astronaut's girlhood friend and tennis partner (and eventual adult life partner) offers a personal look at the first American woman in space. While the tone is unabashedly adulatory and upbeat, it's illuminating to read an intimate's account of this icon. The selection of photos is copious if uncritical, giving the book a scrapbook look. Timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) K-3 Pebble Books: Great Women in History series. Designed to introduce new readers to history-changing contributions by women and to meet Common Core requirements, these slight books meet minimum standards with simple sentences, limited vocabulary, many photos, a running timeline, and a clear trajectory. But they falter somewhat when photos don't align with text and content is more complicated than writing restrictions can encompass. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Books: Great Women in History titles: Marie Curie and Sally Ride.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Real-Life Story series. Sally Ride's many achievements are brought to life in this engaging, complimentary biography, teeming with technical details about the space program. Macy also takes pains to point out Ride's groundbreaking role as America's first female astronaut and her later dedication to encouraging girls' interest in science and technology. An insert of black-and-white photographs is included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello