(4) YA Ancient World Leaders series. These books delve into historical, social, and political theories specific to each ancient world leader. The texts, though informative, can be dry, and some speak more generally about the ancient cultures than about the leaders themselves. Archival photographs and sidebars break up the pages; additional maps and/or illustrations would have been helpful. Most volumes include glossaries and website resources. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Ancient World Leaders titles: Nefertiti, Hammurabi, Queen of Sheba, Ramses the Great, and King David.

Reviewer: T. Borregaard

(4) YA Modern World Leaders series. By placing the featured leader in a historical context, this series, part history and part biography, challenges the reader to consider the concept of leadership. Each book features a comprehensive discussion of the subject's childhood experiences and rise to power, significant historical events, international relationships, and ideology. The text is dense; some photographs and drawings help break up the pages. Reading list, timeline. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Leaders titles: Jacques Chirac, Tony Blair, George W. Bush, Hugo Chávez, The Saudi Royal Family, Pope John Paul II, Vladimir Putin, and Pervez Musharraf.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(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 round out the portraits. Judicious use of quotations and many photos, sidebars, and stats are included. There are eight other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Baseball Superstars titles: Jackie Robinson, Ichiro Suzuki, Mariano Rivera, Hank Aaron, and Ted Williams.