(4) 4-6 Biography from Ancient Civilizations series. After introducing each of these important figures in ancient civilization with a story or legend, the authors then provide upper-elementary or middle-school students with a lively picture of the known life of the individual based on records from their times. Sidebars and archival art (without credit to artist or source) extend the information, but the dull design is uninviting. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Biography from Ancient Civilizations titles: The Life and Times of Alexander the Great, The Life and Times of Homer, The Life and Times of Archimedes, and The Life and Times of Socrates.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Biography from Ancient Civilizations series. After introducing each of these important figures in ancient civilization with a story or legend, the authors then provide upper-elementary or middle-school students with a lively picture of the known life of the individual based on records from their times. Sidebars and archival art (without credit to artist or source) extend the information, but the dull design is uninviting. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Biography from Ancient Civilizations titles: The Life and Times of Alexander the Great, The Life and Times of Homer, The Life and Times of Archimedes, and The Life and Times of Socrates.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Biography from Ancient Civilizations: Legends, Folklore, and Stories of Ancient Worlds series. Despite bland designs (and a fictionalized first chapter in Marco Polo), both of these well-written books do a good job of introducing their subjects to upper-elementary or middle-school students. The chapter notes and bibliographies attest to careful research. Illustrations from various sources add little to the books. Maps and informative sidebars are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Biography from Ancient Civilizations: Legends, Folklore, and Stories of Ancient Worlds titles: The Life and Times of Confucious and The Life and Times of Marco Polo.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Unlocking the Secrets of Science series. Although these books lack documentation for quotations, they reliably relate the contributions of their subjects to science and technology. The authors begin with a pivotal anecdote, then follow a chronological path through the men's lives and contextualize their discoveries and inventions. Black-and-white photos supplement the texts. There are six other fall 2002 books in this series. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian