(3) YA Baseball Superstars series. These baseball biographies are unusually sophisticated in their analysis of each player within the context of his time and the state of Major League Baseball. Nuanced discussions of the player's strengths and personal failings (e.g., Ty Cobb's batting prowess versus his brutality) round out the portraits. Many photos, sidebars, and stats are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Baseball Superstars titles: Ty Cobb, Mike Piazza, Kirby Puckett, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, and Lou Gehrig.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Latinos in Baseball series. These serviceable profiles mix baseball achievements with biographical detail and discuss each player's ties to Latino culture. Among the subjects covered are adapting to life in the United States, learning English, and getting along with fans. The series' design, which includes stock black-and-white photos of uneven quality, is rather dull, but fans probably won't mind. Each book contains a list of stats and a chronology. Ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Sports Stars series. Bright color photographs, large type, and easy-to-read narratives create a reader-friendly introduction to five contemporary sport stars. The biographies are brief, and the fast-paced texts, filled with impressive athletic accomplishments, should entice young fans. Chronologies are included.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck