(4) 4-6 Versus series. Each volume pits a present-day superstar against one from an earlier era. Comparisons include technical skills, statistics and records, and past or potential legacies. Sports fans will appreciate the many action photographs illustrating the choppy but accessible texts; side-by-side charts provide additional data. No attempt is made to name the superior athlete: that decision is left to the reader. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Versus titles: Lionel Messi vs. Pelé, Tiger Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus, Sidney Crosby vs. Wayne Gretzky, LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan, Serena Williams vs. Billie Jean King, and Tom Brady vs. Joe Montana.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Awesome Athletes series. Geared toward middle-grade readers, these slight overviews cover each star athlete's childhood and early career, including personal obstacles overcome (gender/racial barriers, single-parent families, truancy), before focusing on professional success and achievements. Two-page chapters don't offer any depth, but lots of game/competition highlights, stock photos, and action shots will please fans. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Awesome Athletes titles: Danica Patrick, Gabby Douglas, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) YA Contemporary Lives series. Accompanied by photos of the basketball star in action, this is an adequate profile of James's life and accomplishments, from "tough" early years to post–high school NBA career. While readers may be confused by basketball terms that aren't always well explained, the text is generally clear and includes copious source notes. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Basketball Heroes Making a Difference series. These consistent titles begin with details of game-winning moments and continue on to introduce the athletes' childhoods, challenges overcome, and their successful NBA careers. Both entries conclude with the subject's charitable work: James's Wheels for Education cycling event and Griffin's fundraising for Oklahoma tornado victims. The attractive, clean book design complements the focused texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Basketball Heroes Making a Difference titles: Blake Griffin and LeBron James.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 SportsZone: Playmakers series. Focusing on the stars' sports accomplishments and game highlights, these brief, adulatory profiles also touch on the players' childhoods and personal lives along with mentioning charitable contributions to their communities. Brees and Bryant are slightly better organized than the other two. The many clear photographs will satisfy sports fans. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these SportsZone: Playmakers titles: Drew Brees, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Sidney Crosby.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Defining Moments: Super Athletes series. Powered by high-action captioned photos filling a large portion of every page, these books highlight the athletic accomplishments of two sports stars, culminating in their gold medal performances in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The high-interest, low-level, superficially written narratives also briefly describe childhood difficulties overcome by each athlete. Occasional quotes help enliven the texts. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Defining Moments: Super Athletes titles: Michael Phelps and LeBron James.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Big Buddy Biographies series. Accessible texts detail the backgrounds and later fame of basketball star James and NASCAR racer Johnson. Sketchy information about their sports is also included. Many photographs appear throughout the books. Captions and brief "Did you know..." sidebars give additional facts. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Biographies titles: Jimmie Johnson and LeBron James.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) YA People in the News series. These books follow the ups and downs of the basketball and skateboarding stars' lives, from childhood to adulthood. Their achievements, successes and failures, and controversies are included, though the books are generally laudatory. The many photos and sidebars are of the usual fan magazine caliber. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: LeBron James and Tony Hawk.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Sports Stars with Heart series. Though they're a bit idealized, professional athletes in baseball, basketball, and football are honored here for their personal and professional role-model status. The bulk of each book details the athlete's impressive career; the subject's childhood, community service, and charitable works are also highlighted. Many photographs, sidebars, and career stats are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars with Heart titles: LaDainian Tomlinson, Peyton Manning, LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Shaquille O'Neal, and Tim Duncan.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan