(4) 4-6 Sports Stars Who Give Back series. These volumes follow the evolution of each athlete's career, providing adulatory but brief biographical background and highlights of their achievements. Despite the series title, information about charitable work isn't a major focus. First-person quotes help make the texts more engaging. Photos and text boxes appear throughout. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars Who Give Back titles: Dwight Howard, Kyle Busch, David Wright, Ben Roethlisberger, and David Beckham.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) YA Xtreme Athletes series. A snowboarder's youthful enthusiasm is captured in White. Slater details the popular surfer's swift ascent in his sport. Beckham chronicles the very public soccer star's career. Each title includes the subject's successes and failures, but these are laudatory tributes to these impressive athletes. Stock photographs accompany the texts. Informative sidebars often interrupt the narrative flow. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Xtreme Athletes titles: David Beckham, Kelly Slater, and Shaun White.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 People to Know Today series. Opening with the events that led to Beckham's soccer debut in the United States, this biography provides information about the childhood, early life, and later successes of the popular sports icon. Sidebars and stock photographs enhance the bland text to provide an adequate offering for soccer fans. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Amazing Athletes series. This brief biography kicks off with a chapter on Beckham's first soccer game in an LA Galaxy jersey, then backtracks to the athlete's childhood, early career, and personal life. Becks's young fans will overlook the text's broad-strokes profile and the book's bland design. Large type and dynamic photos will draw in reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) YA People in the News series. In addition to a chronology of Beckham's life, this book offers coverage of his celebrity status, marriage, outbursts, and career ups and downs. A short section on the sport of soccer is also included. Though the treatment is fairly superficial, it's a fine starting point, and fans will enjoy the many photos. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee