(4) K-3 Baseball's Greatest Stars series. Action photos drive these profiles. Each book opens with highlights from an important game in which the featured athlete played a key role. Discussion continues with a cursory look at the subject's life from childhood to the present, though there's very little information about the players' personal lives. The books also touch on temporary setbacks and injuries overcome. Baseball-loving reluctant readers will appreciate these offerings. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Baseball's Greatest Stars titles: Andrew McCutchen, Bryce Harper, Clayon Kershaw, Giancarlo Stanton, Madison Bumgarner, and Mike Trout.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 SportsZone: Playmakers series. Each athlete profile written for newly independent readers begins with a short action anecdote. After some brief family and childhood background, the bulk of each adulatory biography deals with the development of the athlete from rookie to seasoned professional; charitable and community-building behaviors are briefly mentioned. Color photos help to personalize the rather bland narratives. Facts and quotes are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Playmakers titles: Michelle Wie, Maya Moore, Mike Trout, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Rory McIlroy.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus: Famous Athletes series. These books for beginning readers profile four professional male athletes. Large color photographs provide glimpses into each player's youth (e.g., little Stephen Curry sitting on his NBA dad's lap during a game) and current careers (e.g., Aaron Rodgers and family after the 2011 Super Bowl), but the biographical information is minimal. A timeline runs along the bottom of the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Famous Athletes titles: Aaron Rodgers, Mike Trout, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Stephen Curry.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan