(4) K-3 Big Buddy Pop Biographies series. In each standard-issue biography, readers are introduced to the celebrity's early life and family, career, achievements, business ventures, and charitable works. The cheerful, adulatory texts are peppered with gratuitous exclamation points ("Fans love to buy goods Rihanna helped create!") and are accompanied by stock photos and "Did You Know?" boxes. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Pop Biographies titles: Adele, Carrie Underwood, Drake, and Rihanna.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA USA Today Lifeline Biographies series. Doeden traces Malcolm's early life, prison years, conversion to the Nation of Islam, and rise to prominence, providing historical context for the discussion. Some over-generalizations (e.g., "the civil rights movement was a success") are misleading, and Malcolm's influential Autobiography is hardly mentioned. The narrative is supported by lots of photographs and text boxes. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Contemporary Lives series. Each of these shallow volumes traces its subject from childhood along his or her path to music stardom. The tone is mostly adulatory, with a few references to the subjects' missteps, such as Beyoncé's public falling-out with Destiny's Child. Heavily illustrated with stock photographs, each book also includes numerous sidebars about its subject's personal life, fashion choices, collaborations, and more. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Contemporary Lives titles: Beyoncé, Drake, Adele, and Cee Lo Green.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Biographies series. Each subject's rise to fame is chronicled in a very basic profile, which offers biographical information about place of birth, family, and notable roles/performances. The content-light texts are easy to read and should appeal to new and reluctant readers. There are many promotional-looking photos, adding to the books' teen-magazine appearance. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Biographies titles: Liam Hemsworth, Adele, and Victoria Justice.

Reviewer: Allison Cole