(3) K-3 Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Charlotte, James, and Baby John struggle to behave when President Washington comes to have his portrait painted by their father, the well-known artist Gilbert Stuart, who desperately seeks a smile from the serious, portrait-hating general. Carpenter's humorous pen, acrylic, and digital-media illustrations greatly enhance this historically inspired story, which will work particularly well in a classroom setting. An author's note adds information.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(1) YA Translated by Michael Waaler. In this quiet, atmospheric biographical graphic novel, Bellstorf depicts the brief, intense love affair between Astrid Kirchherr and Stuart Sutcliffe--the man known as "The Fifth Beatle." The illustrations' bleak mood befits both Hamburg's underground music scene and the couple's doomed relationship, but the seriousness does not undercut the authenticity or passion behind this real-life love affair.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2012

(4) 4-6 Famous Figures of the Civil War Era series. Illustrated with reproductions of photos and a few other documents from the period, the books in this series capably introduce their subjects to young readers. Some complex topics are glossed over, but all the books offer a brief account of these men's lives up to the Civil War and considerably more detail about their involvement in it. An individual chronology and a timeline are appended. There are five other new books in this series. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these titles: George Gordon Meade, Stephen A. Douglas, John Brown, William Henry Seward, James Ewell Brown Stuart.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) 4-6 Scott, who could have been a carefree socialite, sold cars when women weren't supposed to work outside the home, and, in 1910, became the first woman pilot in the United States. This well-researched book is replete with Scott's breathless personal testimony and with effectively placed black-and-white photos. Cummins provides clear explanations of technical aspects but otherwise adopts a playful style. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2001