(3) YA Rich time-travels back to 1969 Woodstock, where he meets his fifteen-year-old father and his father's older brother, who, Rich knows, will soon die. Throughout the weekend (in addition to accidentally tripping on mushrooms and befriending Jimi Hendrix), Rich gains a better understanding of his strict dad. Told in Rich's dryly sarcastic voice, the novel is funny, moving, and memorably set--totally groovy.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe. Golio ably introduces young readers to the rock legend by describing his humble childhood (he was raised by a cash-strapped single dad), first guitar (purchased from the landlady's son for $5), and creative drive ("He wondered: Could a person use music / like chalks and colored pencils?"). Steptoe accommodates the poetic, shape-shifting text in his heavily worked-over mixed-media illustrations. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(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, most of which have been completely revised. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Black Americans of Achievement, Legacy Edition, titles: Maya Angelou, Jimi Hendrix, Scott Joplin, Bob Marley, Oprah Winfrey, Josephine Baker, and Chris Rock.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(4) YA American Rebels series. The books offer accounts of the lives of these legendary musicians, writers, and actors. Although the authors spend considerable time on the subjects' early lives and career highlights, a concluding chapter in each book helps explain their lasting appeal and fame. The pull-quotes are well chosen, but more photos would have helped break up the dense-looking text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Rebels titles: Kurt Cobain, James Dean, Jimi Hendrix, and Jack Kerouac.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Though the prose is more competent than inspired, the biographies of this diverse group of notables adequately traces their personal and professional achievements. Occasional information boxes contain material that supplements the texts, which are illustrated with black-and-white (and occasional color) photos and reproductions. Both Hendrix and Latifah include discographies. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta