(3) K-3 Masterminds series. Born into slavery, Carver went on to make lasting contributions to agricultural science and education; his research and crop innovations helped African American farmers survive in the early 1900s. This straightforward biography covers Carver's work and his legacy. The uncluttered page design features well-captioned color and archival black-and-white photographs that extend the information in the accessible text. A table of contents, glossary, and index give readers practice with nonfiction conventions. A reading list, websites, and a simple timeline are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. This biography for emerging readers provides a chronological account of Carver's life, from his birth into slavery to his contributions to agriculture, science, and education. The narrative cursorily touches on obstacles faced by African Americans at the turn of the last century. "In His Own Words" boxes spotlight quotes from Carver himself. Captioned photos and illustrations help break up the serviceable text.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Zoom In on Incredible Inventors series. Providing the most basic information about these inventors' lives and legacies, these six Common Core Standard–aligned books may be useful to report-writing new readers. However, the simplified texts often raise more questions than answers, and some of the photos, paintings, and drawings could use captions or labels for clarity. Lists of quick stats and key dates are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Zoom In on Incredible Inventors titles: Alexander Graham Bell, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Henry Ford, Thomas A. Edison, and The Wright Brothers.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) 4-6 Great Minds of Science series. Featuring innovative scientists, several from underrepresented groups, these biographies discuss childhood interests, study, diligence, and professional achievements, from tobacco farmer Banneker's almanac to Earle's underwater research and publications. Some effective primary material linked to online resources is included; frequent integrative questions and prompts may distract general researchers. Many photos and diagrams illustrate the text, though the pale-yellow-type captions aren't optimal. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Minds of Science titles: Charles Drew, George Washington Carver, Sylvia Earle, Jane Goodall, Charles Darwin, and Benjamin Banneker.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Science Biographies series. Each of these readable and engaging texts highlights basic facts about the title scientist's early life and interests before examining the success and significance of each man's key inventions. Well-captioned archival photographs support the texts, enhancing the appeal for young readers. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Science Biographies titles: Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Famous African Americans series. Each simply written title in this updated series (originally published in 1991 and 1992) provides an adequate introduction to a notable African American. Archival photographs, mostly black and white, and mediocre color illustrations appear on every spread. Large type and short sentences make these books suitable for use with reluctant readers. There are six other spring 2013 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Famous African Americans titles: Carter G. Woodson, George Washington Carver, Louis Armstrong, Marian Anderson, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Paul Robeson.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max. A tree narrates this biography of the African American botanist and educator, describing his childhood interest in plants and his desire to attend school. The tree has some hokey lines ("I'm just a tree so I don't know what a president is"), but the book is a serviceable introduction to Carver. Bright acrylic illustrations show the man among flowers and trees. End matter provides additional information.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell. Young narrator Sally describes how George Washington Carver came to her school to help cultivate the children's garden. The somewhat sentimental invented-dialogue text touches on botany and the scientific method in an accessible way. Bucolic watercolor illustrations show smiling children who are thrilled--and, incidentally, too clean--to be working in the garden. A short author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) YA Black Americans of Achievement, Legacy Edition series. Each of these biographies details a well-known figure's rise from adversity to national and/or international recognition. The books go beyond the typical personal information to provide some social history relevant to the subject's time. Captioned photographs and boxed inserts enhance the conversational texts. Carver and Hines have been revised and updated. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Black Americans of Achievement, Legacy Edition titles: George Washington Carver, Gregory Hines, Condoleezza Rice, and Barack Obama.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) 4-6 Based on thorough research and written in conversational and sometimes lyrical prose, this book provides insight into a warmer side of Carver, reaching beyond his reputation as a laboratory scientist, lecturer, professor, and "peanut man." Here, we see the painter, the handicrafter, and the ever-curious lover of nature. The book's clean design includes many photographs and reproductions. Bib.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) 4-6 Animated writing and intricate black-and-white illustrations drive this biography of Carver, the son of slaves whose curiosity and altruism led him to become a scientist, researcher, and educator in the field of agriculture. An extensive timeline of world events runs along the bottom of the pages. The book is jam-packed with information in a way that can be overwhelming. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Wil Clay. This text-heavy narrative introduces young readers to the renowned African American botanist, researcher, and teacher. Krensky stresses Carver's love of nature from childhood on and provides information about Carver's main area of interest: properties and uses of plants. Painterly illustrations imbue the subject with dignity. Timeline.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) 4-6 An impressive amount of information is packed into this slim biography of the influential botanist and educator. Though the type is small and dense, the facing pages are filled with captioned photographs contributing to the attractive and illuminating presentation. Carver's achievements despite his slave origins, ensuing poverty, and the unrelenting racism he faced are well documented. Timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Yo solo biografías series. Illustrated by Lance Paladino. Accessible narratives, including anecdotes chosen for their kid appeal, introduce these important (and classroom-friendly) historical figures to young Spanish-language readers. Although some of the illustrations have a static feel, their colorful warmth enhances the text. In each book, a brief afterword is accompanied by a photograph of the subject. Timeline. Review covers these Yo solo biografías titles: George Washington Carver, Pablo Picasso, and Wilma Rudolph.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Smart about Scientists series. Illustrated by Jill Weber. The conceit that a kid, Annie, wrote this text as a school report works well: the child's voice adds perspective and liveliness without being cutesy or intrusive. The "report" features handsome illustrations (ostensibly made by Annie), complete with dialogue balloons; black-and-white photos of Carver; a science experiment; peanut facts (though not that it's a legume); and a recipe.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(1) YA A series of fifty-nine poems portrays George Washington Carver as a private, scholarly man of great personal faith and social purpose. Nelson fills in the trajectory of Carver's life with details of the cultural and political contexts that shaped him even as he shaped history. As individual works, each poem stands as a finely wrought whole of such high caliber than one can hardly name a favorite, never mind the best.

Reviewer: Cathryn M. Mercier | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2001

(4) K-3 Carolrhoda On My Own Books series. Illustrated by Lance Paladino. An accessible narrative introduces this important historical figure to independent readers. The text, which describes Carver's life as a slave in the mid-1860s, his education, and his pioneering work as an agricultural scientist, ends a bit abruptly. The paintings that accompany the text are somewhat stiff but warm. A brief afterword and a time line are included.

Reviewer: Kristen Oravec

(4) K-3 Picture Book Biography series. Illustrated by Dan Brown. The latest addition to this series introduces the life of the African-American agriculturist from his enslaved birth to his constant quest for education and his scientific achievements. The watercolor illustrations are accomplished, but the demands of the easy-to-read format lead Adler to simplify his portrayal; Carver's controversial accommodationist race-relations stand is mentioned only in the brief author's note. Bib.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne

(4) 4-6 Slick, glossy pages illustrated with sepia photos (some of which are used in more than one book) lend these slim biographies a magazine-like look. A general understanding of African-American history emerges from volume to volume while the individual is the focus of each. The at-times graphic photos are themselves a visual history. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Mary Burkey