(4) YA Latino Biography Library series. These biographies describe how Cisneros struggled to feel appreciated and understood as a Latina author and how Ochoa's groundbreaking path frequently led her to be the only woman in her field of study and profession. The texts, though choppy, are readable. Photographs and sidebars add interest and some context for report writers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Latino Biography Library titles: Ellen Ochoa and Sandra Cisneros.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) 4-6 America's Living History series. Archival photographs, reproductions, maps, and sidebars combine with vivid texts to provide comprehensive introductions to the featured historical event or movement. Highlighting key figures and focusing on the human experience, these engaging volumes vividly bring their time periods to life. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's Living History titles: Alamo and The Harlem Renaissance.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA American Rebels series. The books offer accounts of the lives of these legendary musicians, writers, and actors. Although the authors spend considerable time on the subjects' early lives and career highlights, a concluding chapter in each book helps explain their lasting appeal and fame. The pull-quotes are well chosen, but more photos would have helped break up the dense-looking text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Rebels titles: Kurt Cobain, James Dean, Jimi Hendrix, and Jack Kerouac.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) YA In American History series. This book details the centuries-long search for a sea route to China across the Atlantic, above Canada, to the Pacific. Warrick touches on each explorer's accomplishments, his encounters with the Inuits, and how in 1906 a Norwegian was the first to finally complete the passage. The book is minimally illustrated with black-and-white photos and reproductions of period maps. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh. A close-up of an animal's nose faces a brief text that asks, for example, "Who needs a nose / pink as a flower, / a nose with twenty-two little fingers...." The following double-page spread provides the answer (mole), showing the animal in its habitat. The garish colored-pencil and gouache illustrations and slight text offer very basic information about the six animal noses and one human nose.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 America's Founding Fathers series. Each of these clear, straightforward biographies begins with a chapter highlighting a pivotal moment in each man's career. Following chapters trace the subject's life from childhood to adulthood. Black-and-white archival images and sidebars help to break up and extend the text. These are useful resources for history buffs as well as report writers. Addresses, reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's Founding Fathers titles: Gouverneur Morris, James Madison, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) YA In World History series. Principally concerning Peary, this book outlines North Pole explorations from 1594 to 1986, sometimes losing trajectory in the process. It discusses the rival claims of Peary and Frederick Cook, noting the historical neglect of Peary's African-American team member Matthew Henson, now considered co-discoverer. Black-and-white illustrations and sidebars of primary material are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. Five figures who played diverse roles in American history are profiled in the clearly written books in this series. Maps and reproductions supplement the texts, while occasional information boxes highlighting other contemporary figures and events help place the subjects' lives in historical perspective. Each volume ends with a discussion of the subject's historical legacy. Timelines are included. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these titles: Abigail Adams, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, J. Edgar Hoover, John Paul Jones, John Muir.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 American War series. The formulaic volumes in this series each begin by recounting a key moment in a battle, followed by chapters that discuss the conflict's origins, trace the arc of the war to its resolution, then reflect on the lasting legacy of that war. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and reproductions, the books are written in a dry but thorough textbooklike prose. Timelines are included. Bib., ind. [Review covers these American War titles: The Mexican War, The Spanish-American War, and The War of 1812.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Sherry Neidigh. Four or five lines of text give a few simple details about one of seven tails ("If I had a tail, a tail like a snuggly slipper, a beautiful, bushy black-and-white tail..."), while the facing page features a close-up illustration of the tail in question. The following double-page spread pictures the tail attached to the correct owner in a natural setting. Bright illustrations support this slight guessing-game concept well.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These competently written biographies cover a wide range of subjects who lived between the American Revolution and World War II. The texts are supplemented by black-and-white photographs and reproductions, as well as information boxes that provide colorful background information or place events within historical context. The final pages of each volume discuss the legacy of each subject. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These competently written biographies cover a wide range of subjects who lived between the American Revolution and World War II. The texts are supplemented by black-and-white photographs and reproductions, as well as information boxes that provide colorful background information or place events within historical context. The final pages of each volume discuss the legacy of each subject. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These books present informative looks at eight American figures. For the most part, the authors dispell myths and discuss each subject's flaws as well as strengths--Billy the Kid and Mary Todd Lincoln are most successful at this, Custer is less well rounded. Black-and-white archival photos, illustrations, maps, and sidebars help to establish time and place. A chronology is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman