(4) 4-6 Sports Leaders series. Pro basketball players Kidd and Carter are profiled in well-documented if pedestrian prose that emphasizes athletic achievements over their personal lives. Many of the accompanying black-and-white photographs are intentionally fractured, a technique that adds action and movement to otherwise standard sports shots. College and NBA career statistics are included in both volumes. Websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Sports Leaders titles: Jason Kidd and Vince Carter.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Sports Great Books series. The formulaic, adulatory books in this series adequately profile a superstar athlete, briefly covering the subject's childhood and college (or early) career before focusing on professional success. The text features lots of important game (or race) highlights and is accompanied by repetitive black-and-white action shots. Fans and report writers will be satisfied. A chart of career stats is appended. Ind. [Review covers these titles: Sports Great Alex Rodriguez, Sports Great Jeff Gordon, Sports Great Vince Carter, Sports Great Tim Duncan.]

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. Each book in this series provides a superficial introduction to a contemporary standout in the NBA. The portraits highlight exciting game details and statistics, yet contain little personal background. The large print and the stock photographs of each player's professional team may appeal to young fans. Career statistics and contact information are included. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these titles: Super Sports Star Grant Hill, Super Sports Star Glen Rice, Super Sports Star Chris Webber, Super Sports Star Jason Kidd, Super Sports Star Vince Carter.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 New Wave series. Focusing on four rising stars in football, hockey, baseball, and basketball, these series biographies offer rushed, laudatory accounts of the subjects' personal lives, though the emphasis is on their professional careers. Sports fans will appreciate the detailed descriptions of key games and seasons, boxed statistics, and average-quality color photos of the athletes in action. Ind. [Review covers these New Wave titles: Jevon Kearse, Scott Gomez, Todd Helton, Vince Carter.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta