(4) K-3 Illustrated by Tom Booth. After a nighttime baseball game, Gideon loses his autograph book. He wanders away from his family into the dark recesses of Yankee Stadium, where he finds the groundskeeping equipment, bats, concession food, and more have come alive; the objects ultimately lead him to Derek Jeter (and his autograph book). A thin, slickly illustrated Night at the Museum takeoff tailor-made for young Yankees fans.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) K-3 Sports Stars Who Care series. These books touch on the philanthropic efforts of the title sports stars, in some cases greatly padded by biographical information and career stats (Albert Pujols started a foundation for kids with Down syndrome, which his daughter has, making his efforts seem more personal). Beyond the do-gooder hook there's nothing much new, but reluctant readers will appreciate the accessible writing style and sports photographs. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Sports Stars Who Care titles: Derek Jeter, Lionel Messi, Tim Tebow, Dwight Howard, Shaun White, Eli Manning, and [Albert Pujols.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(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 Big Buddy Biographies series. This series offers biographical information about popular sports stars. The texts, though bland and very light on content, are easy to read, and their subjects will be of interest to young sports fans. Many photographs appear throughout the volumes; captions and brief "Did you know..." sidebars give additional information on the athletes' family lives, schooling, and professional careers. Glos., ind. Review covers these Big Buddy Biographies titles: Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) YA People in the News series. These volumes cover basic biographical facts about auto racer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and baseball star Derek Jeter, from their childhoods through their early careers to their status as of 2008. The texts, accompanied by photographs and occasional sidebars on related topics (e.g., "The Popularity of NASCAR"), are generally adulatory but also acknowledge issues such as diva behavior and romantic entanglements. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Derek Jeter.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) YA Baseball Superstars series. These baseball biographies are unusually sophisticated in their analysis of each player within the context of his time and the state of Major League Baseball. Nuanced discussions of the player's strengths and personal failings (e.g., Ty Cobb's batting prowess versus his brutality) round out the portraits. Many photos, sidebars, and stats are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Baseball Superstars titles: Ty Cobb, Mike Piazza, Kirby Puckett, Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, and Lou Gehrig.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(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

(4) K-3 Amazing Athletes series. These serviceable titles for reluctant readers pay tribute to two of modern baseball's most accomplished players. Coverage is primarily devoted to the players' baseball careers, with brief glimpses at their early years and personal lives. Controversial issues such as Bonds's negative relationship with the media and rumored steroid use are not addressed. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Amazing Athletes titles: Derek Jeter and Barry Bonds.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. These sports biographies feature large color photographs and readable texts. While plenty of books about the profiled athletes already exist, these books are noteworthy for their interesting anecdotes and well-balanced accounts of the stars' lives. Photos and stories from childhood through current competitions are included. Kobe doesn't mention his recent legal troubles. Reading list, stats, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Derek Jeter, Jeff Gordon, Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, and Venus Williams.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) K-3 Dorling Kindersley Readers series. Three serviceable titles about baseball's biggest contemporary stars will appeal to fans and reluctant readers. Because they focus primarily on active players, the books are already outdated (e.g., Shortstops precedes A-Rod's recent trade and history-making contract). Generous color photos and drawings enhance every page. Home Run Heroes is written at an easier level than the other series titles. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) 4-6 Sports Great Books series. The books in this series look at their subjects from childhood to superstardom. Illustrated with grainy black-and-white action photos, these brief, formulaic biographies stress the importance of education and commitment, as well as the merits of sportsmanship. Career statistics and related websites are appended. Ind. [Review covers these Sports Great Books titles: Sports Great Keith Van Horn, Sports Great Derek Jeter, Sports Great Tiger Woods, Sports Great Rebecca Lobo, Sports Great Grant Hill.]

Reviewer: Kathleen S. Rourke

(4) 4-6 New Wave series. Filled with statistics and colorful action photos, this profile consists of a well-written and admiring portrait of the star Yankee shortstop, tracing Jeter's gradual development as a professional baseball player. There is very little information about Jeter's life outside of baseball, but hardcore baseball fans will still enjoy the book. Ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman