(4) 4-6 Superstar Stories series. Each entertainer's superficially sketched biography is presented in three or four brief chapters punctuated with publicity photographs and sidebars with quotes from the subject. A page of basic background facts precedes a simple narrative covering early breaks in the field, successful milestones, and present-day stardom. "Think About It" questions are appended. There are four other fall 2017 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Superstar Stories titles: Zendaya, Silentó, Jennifer Lawrence, and Pharrell Williams.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Titanic Stories series. Providing a wealth of in-depth information, intimate details, and lesser-known facts about the Titanic, this series explores every aspect of the doomed voyage in readable narratives. With a focus on the perspectives of individual travelers, each book is aided by its use of primary source quotes (footnoted and cited at book's end) and archival photographs. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Titanic Stories: Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Second Class, Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Children, Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Third Class, The Story of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Chairman Ismay, Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Crew, and Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s First Class.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Titanic Stories series. Providing a wealth of in-depth information, intimate details, and lesser-known facts about the Titanic, this series explores every aspect of the doomed voyage in readable narratives. With a focus on the perspectives of individual travelers, each book is aided by its use of primary source quotes (footnoted and cited at book's end) and archival photographs. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Titanic Stories: Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Second Class, Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Children, Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Third Class, The Story of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Chairman Ismay, Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s Crew, and Stories of [cf4]Titanic[cf3]'s First Class.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) YA Women of Action series. In 1921, four men and a young Inuit woman named Ada Blackjack set off of an expedition to uninhabited Wrangel Island north of Siberia. While all four men died or disappeared during the trip, Blackjack managed to stay alive until she was rescued--no small feat in the Arctic. A well-written, well-sourced survival story, punctuated by a handful of (questionably relevant) sidebars. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Foundations of Our Nation series. These books briefly outline sequential events that led the Colonies to seek independence from Great Britain. Following a basic format, each volume describes the historic occurrence and the principal characters involved; the inclusion of primary source material is valuable. Sidebars, drawings, maps, and photographs add to the readable texts. "Stop and think" questions invite student input. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Foundations of Our Nation titles: The French and Indian War, The Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Party, and The Declaration of Independence.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA World Writers series. "Reading for me was a refuge...It was almost sinful how much I liked it" (Amy Tan). Integrating the subjects' voices, love of literature, chronologies, and major works against a background of world events, these series installments effectively explore how the authors' personal lives influenced their writing. Many photographs, some applicable, some that seem like an afterthought, illustrate the solid narratives. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these World Writers titles: Self-Reliance, C. S. Lewis, and From China to America.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) YA World Writers series. While Twain was best known for his humor and wit, Caravantes shows in this enjoyable biography that his life was marked by tragedy, financial worries, and artistic difficulties. The text is solid and sheds new light on this well-known subject. The portrayal will make readers want to experience Twain's writing directly. Occasional photographs break up the pages. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(3) YA Caravantes captures the unusual circumstances that shaped O. Henry's life and stories in this compact and lively biography that includes discussion of his years on a ranch, as a banker, on the lam, in prison, and hard at work penning short stories in New York. Many colorful images, including some of O. Henry's own caricatures and sketches, add another level of interest. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA World Writers series. Nobel Peace Prize-winner Addams--pacifist, children's and women's rights advocate, founder of Hull House--is profiled in this able if occasionally lacking biography. Great anecdotes (as one about Addams's meeting with Leo Tolstoy) occasionally muscle out basic information (we learn only as an aside that Addams helped found the NAACP in 1909). Black-and-white photos are scattered throughout. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Notable Americans series. Barraging readers with names, dates, places, and events, this portrait of the military and political leader includes discussion of his personal and professional disappointments. The rushed text covers Houston's relationship with the Cherokee Nation and his divided loyalties between Andrew Jackson and Cherokee Chief Jolly. Black-and-white illustrations are included. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) YA Notable Americans series. Born in Jamaica, Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association in 1914, immigrated to (and was later deported from) the United States, and was an advocate in the Back to Africa movement. Illustrated with black-and-white photos, this biography acknowledges many of Garvey's professional and personal difficulties but also affirms his importance as a historical figure who influenced pride in racial heritage. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Notable Americans series. Three spies for the Union (Sarah Emma Edmonds, Pauline Cushman, Elizabeth Van Lew) and three for the Confederacy (Belle Boyd, Rose Greenhow, Belle Edmondson) are profiled in this collective biography. The book is a well-documented account of daring women, but the plethora of facts tends to overwhelm the narrative. Archival photos are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian