(4) K-3 Zoom In on Great Women series. The lives of six diverse, inspirational women--three of whom (Goodall, Yousafzai, and Winfrey) are still living--are summarized in this series, which aligns to Common Core Standards. Though only broadly chronicling their challenges and/or accomplishments, these offerings may spur interest in further study. The archival photographs included are noteworthy, and lists of quick stats and key dates are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Zoom In on Great Women titles: Anne Frank, Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, Mother Teresa, Oprah Winfrey, and Rosa Parks.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) YA African-American Icons series. These accessible, simplistic biographies trace the lives of contemporary African American leaders in the arts. The uncomplicated prose may appeal to report writers who are also reluctant readers. While the books' original design was uninspired, it did include plenty of photos--which these new editions have oddly omitted. Discography (Smith), filmography (Berry; Smith). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Toni Morrison, Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Oprah Winfrey.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) YA Celebrities with Heart series. These celebrity biographies reflect on the philanthropic efforts of famous people. Each volume focuses on its subject's rise to fame and fortune, beginning with childhood and not shying away from difficult situations (e.g., McGraw's biological father, Winfrey's rape). The stock photos and choppy texts aren't all that inspiring, but the stories are. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Celebrities with Heart titles: Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff, Oprah Winfrey, Adam Sandler, Angelina Jolie, and Tim McGraw.

Reviewer: Ashleigh Finn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by London Ladd. This portrait of the television talk-show queen focuses on Winfrey's Mississippi childhood, during which she lived on a farm and honed her public-speaking skills at church. Many pages conclude with an italicized remark about God's influence (e.g., "God had shone a light on her"); cumulatively, these suggest an Oprah-as-saint sentiment that's somewhat off-putting. The acrylic paintings capture her strength and determination.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Business Leaders series. These books highlight the lives of three entrepreneurs: Dell, developer and CEO of Dell Computers; Winfrey, popular TV talk-show host and successful businesswoman; and world-renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Each person's rise to wealth and fame is described in straightforward text. Photographs add interest to these not particularly inspired but readable biographies. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Business Leaders titles: Michael Dell, Oprah Winfrey, and Ralph Lauren.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(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

(2) YA Not your average biographies, these are meaty fare, sure to satisfy readers (even reluctant ones) looking for something more than a hero portrait. Most riveting is Cash; least accessible is Carson. Honest and engaging, all four volumes include forewords explaining what drew each author to the subject, black-and-white photographs, and source notes. Websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these titles: Up Close: Robert F. Kennedy, Up Close: Oprah Winfrey, Up Close: Rachel Carson, and Up Close: Johnny Cash.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007

(3) YA Black Americans of Achievement, Legacy Edition series. Each of these biographies details a well-known figure's rise from adversity to national and/or international recognition. The books go beyond the typical personal information to provide some social history relevant to the subject's time. Captioned photographs and boxed inserts enhance the conversational texts, most of which have been completely revised. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Black Americans of Achievement, Legacy Edition, titles: Maya Angelou, Jimi Hendrix, Scott Joplin, Bob Marley, Oprah Winfrey, Josephine Baker, and Chris Rock.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) 4-6 Just the Facts Biographies series. Although Winfrey suffers from wooden prose, all four of these biographies offer some insight into their subjects' lives, inadvertently giving lie to the series' title. Occasional sidebars share useful historical perspectives, but disruptive "It's a Fact!" boxes contain information that should have been integrated into the texts. Black-and-white photos appear throughout. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Just the Facts Biographies tiles: J. R. R. Tolkien, Oprah Winfrey, Benjamin Franklin, and John Glenn.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 People to Know series. These easy-to-read biographies are useful and relatively informative, though they tend to gloss over controversial issues (the Holocaust, sexual abuse). The books are all liberally illustrated with photographs, and sidebars provide additional information about relevant topics such as how wing shape affects lift. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these People to Know titles: Anne Frank, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and The Wright Brothers.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Women of Achievement series. The latest additions to this series of biographies will be useful mainly for those writing reports. Although each offers a detailed account of the subject's life, the writing is pedestrian and the photographs often dreary. Some of the books offer more substance due mainly to the subject herself (e.g., Toni Morrison). Each book contains a chronology. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Cher, Toni Morrison, Mother Teresa, Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Estefan.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Heinemann Profiles series. These standard-issue biographies feature an easy-to-read text, captioned photos, quotations by and about the subject, and rather busy layouts. Occasionally the text is misleading, but overall the facts are presented in a fairly balanced manner. Depending on the subject, a time line, a list of films, or a list of recordings is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Heinemann Profiles titles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Henry Ford, Elvis Presley, George Lucas.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Though centuries may separate the subjects of the volumes in this series, all have played prominent political or cultural roles. Their life stories are relayed in sometimes rushed prose, but these books will make acceptable starting points for those seeking basic biographical information. The texts are accompanied by average-quality photos and historical reproductions in black and white and in color. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, Oprah Winfrey, George W. Bush, The Beatles, Benjamin Franklin.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Gateway Biography series. Useful for school reports, this serviceable profile covers the basics of Oprah's life. Stone discusses Oprah's youth spent shuttling between her mother in Milwaukee and her father in Nashville; her troubled adolescence; and her successful career as a television talk show host and actor. Black-and-white and color photos accompany the adulatory text. A list of important dates is appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Kluckhohn

(3) YA African-American Biographies series. Four clearly written biographies cover major figures--two historical, two contemporary--who, despite some early difficulties, achieved major personal and professional success. Winfrey, Du Bois, and Banneker have been featured in numerous biographies, but this full-length work on Myers, which includes discussions of his books and how they came to be written, is particularly welcome. Black-and-white photos accompany the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta