(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Doeden traces Malcolm's early life, prison years, conversion to the Nation of Islam, and rise to prominence, providing historical context for the discussion. Some over-generalizations (e.g., "the civil rights movement was a success") are misleading, and Malcolm's influential Autobiography is hardly mentioned. The narrative is supported by lots of photographs and text boxes. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Interspersed with related USA Today articles, this busily designed biography presents this "talked-about" quarterback's life and career. The volume covers Tebow's work ethic that helped earn a Heisman Trophy, a first round NFL draft pick, and more; personal topics such as his family's Christian ministry and Tebow's homeschooling are also touched on. Color photos add interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Each book contains background about social movements, fashion, and musical influences, plus excerpts from USA Today articles. Queen Latifah's childhood and family life, as well as Lady Gaga's development of her persona, are covered in detail, while topics such as drugs and sexual orientation are also discussed. Fans won't mind the crowded layout. Latifah has a glossary; Gaga has a timeline. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Queen Latifah and Lady Gaga.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Thirteen actors from the TV show are superficially profiled in what amounts to an extended magazine article. In fact, related USA Today articles--about the actors and about issues such as obesity and gay teens--serve as sidebars to the main text. Glee fans will appreciate the quotes from their favorite stars; the many celeb photos add interest. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Each book contains background about social movements, fashion, and musical influences, plus excerpts from USA Today articles. Queen Latifah's childhood and family life, as well as Lady Gaga's development of her persona, are covered in detail, while topics such as drugs and sexual orientation are also discussed. Fans won't mind the crowded layout. Latifah has a glossary; Gaga has a timeline. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Queen Latifah and Lady Gaga.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Interspersed with related USA Today articles, these busily designed biographies look at singer Adele and rapper West's lives and careers. Each volume covers the subject's background, musical inspirations and innovations, rise to fame, and public-image blips; personal topics such as Adele's weight issues and West's self-confidence (often considered arrogance) are also touched on. Color photos add interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Adele and Kanye West.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these laudatory biographies provide overviews of the lives and careers of Johnny Depp and the Beatles. Readers will come away not only with a greater knowledge of the subjects, but also with an understanding of their places in their respective industries. Relevant images and engaging sidebars enhance the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Johnny Depp and The Beatles.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these laudatory biographies provide overviews of the lives and careers of Johnny Depp and the Beatles. Readers will come away not only with a greater knowledge of the subjects, but also with an understanding of their places in their respective industries. Relevant images and engaging sidebars enhance the presentation. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Johnny Depp and The Beatles.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these biographies provide overviews of the slain rap star and the superstar author. The busy book design features many photographs, some of which enhance the texts (e.g., Tupac performing in various hip-hop shows) while others are clearly filler (e.g., in Meyer, a photo of kids lined up to purchase Harry Potter). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Tupac Shakur and Stephenie Meyer.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these biographies provide overviews of the slain rap star and the superstar author. The busy book design features many photographs, some of which enhance the texts (e.g., Tupac performing in various hip-hop shows) while others are clearly filler (e.g., in Meyer, a photo of kids lined up to purchase Harry Potter). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Tupac Shakur and Stephenie Meyer.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these biographies provide birth-to-present-day views of Barack Obama and Tim Berners-Lee. Book design is busy, but photographs often enhance the texts (though some pictures seem arbitrary: e.g., a photo of Masai warriors because Obama's father, a member of the Luo tribe, once talked about Kenyans to Barack's fifth-grade class). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Tim Berners-Lee and Barack Obama.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these biographies provide birth-to-present-day views of Barack Obama and Tim Berners-Lee. Book design is busy, but photographs often enhance the texts (though some pictures seem arbitrary: e.g., a photo of Masai warriors because Obama's father, a member of the Luo tribe, once talked about Kenyans to Barack's fifth-grade class). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these USA Today Lifeline Biographies titles: Tim Berners-Lee and Barack Obama.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using some excerpts from USA Today articles, this book describes Winfrey's life, from her traumatic childhood through her beauty pageant years and dream of emulating Barbara Walters to her superstardom today, with an emphasis on philanthropic efforts. Though the book's design is busy, its many photographs and sidebars add interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Using some excerpts from USA Today articles, this book describes Woods's life, from child golf prodigy to top professional. Insight into Woods's personal nature is revealed through his relationship with his father, his philanthropic endeavors, and his recognition of those who paved the way for him. Though the book's design is busy, its many photographs and sidebars add interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith