(4) 4-6 Sports Star Champions series. These formulaic biographies feature accessible texts describing the careers of famous athletes and plenty of full-page color photographs. The open, non-intimidating pages and information that should satisfy book-report requirements recommend the titles for purchase. Difficulties some of the athletes have had (such as "personal problems" for Bryant and steroid use for Rodriguez) are acknowledged but not sensationalized. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Star Champions titles: Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Payton Manning, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Sports Stars Who Care series. This series ostensibly highlights professional athletes' good works. The majority of each text is actually biographical information which, while not inaccurate, is nothing really new. Philanthropic work is usually touched upon at the end. Reluctant readers will appreciate the accessible writing style and sports photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars Who care titles: Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., David Wright, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 Sports Stars with Heart series. Adulatory biographies of popular contemporary athletes focus mostly on their impressive careers. Their childhoods are also highlighted, as are their philanthropic works and any struggles with adversity. Each volume is filled with action photographs and play-by-play details (though the Timberwolves' assertion, "We're not going to trade Kevin Garnett" proved false). Appended material includes career stats and achievements. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars with Heart titles: Steve Nash, Albert Pujols, Tiki Barber, Andruw Jones, Donovan McNabb, and Kevin Garnett.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) 4-6 New Wave series. These two books in the series profile a professional athlete's swift success in his sport: Garnett in basketball and Culpepper in football. Beginning with chapters on the athlete's childhood, both books describe the positive influence of the subjects' mothers. The bulk of each biography, however, contains statistics, scores, quotes, and game details. Color photographs fill each double-page spread. Ind. [Review covers these titles: Daunte Culpepper and Kevin Garnett.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) K-3 Super Sports Star series. These formulaic biographies outline the athletic careers of four professional basketball players. With only stock photographs from each player's professional team and a brief chapter on his childhood, the books offer little depth. The large print, readable text, and color photographs, however, may encourage young fans. Career statistics and contact information are included. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Super Sports titles: Super Sports Star Gary Payton, Super Sports Star Penny Hardaway, Super Sports Star Kevin Garnett, Super Sports Star Kobe Bryant.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Sports Great Books series. These formulaic profiles--mixing career highlights with personal histories--present the achievements of three NBA stars. Garnett went directly to the NBA from high school, and Marbury played only one season in college. Mutombo attended Georgetown, but only when his height was noticed on campus was he asked to join the team. Each book is illustrated with dark black-and-white action photos. Ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Basketball Legends series. Several black-and-white action photographs accompany the career statistics and play-by-play game details of six noteworthy and popular NBA players. While their athletic accomplishments are impressive, their "legendary" status may be premature, since most in this group have only entered the league within the last four years. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Sports Achievers series. Three new entries in the series, spotlighting stars of volleyball, football, and basketball, join a revision of a previous volume on Wayne Gretzky. The books strike a good balance between personal and professional information, though the coverage is never very deep. Gretzky is illustrated with black-and-white photos; the other books are chiefly illustrated in color. A section of sports stats concludes each volume. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta