(4) K-3 Amazing Athletes series. Each of these books begins in the middle of one of the athlete's most important performances and from there backtracks to an outline of his or her childhood and athletic accomplishments. The text is dry and choppy and the layout is textbook-like, but the subjects are of interest to the intended audience. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Amazing Athletes titles: Lance Armstrong, Annika Sorenstam, Carly Patterson, Yao Ming, and Michael Phelps.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. Six well-known athletes are profiled in these readable biographies. The texts, an appealing mix of personal and professional details, are accompanied by a variety of large color photographs. A couple of the books are missing up-to-date information, such as Armstrong's 2004 Tour de France win, and there's only a brief mention of Rodriguez's trade to the Yankees. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Alex Rodriquez, Donovan McNabb, Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard: Awesome Athletes series. These books for reluctant readers briefly cover each subject's early years before focusing on his or her athletic career. The coverage is superficial and adulatory but accessible; controversy and adversity are ignored. Action photos, a timeline, and stats help break up the text. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard: Awesome Athletes titles: Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki, Tony Hawk, Kobe Bryant, Venus & Serena Williams, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn