(4) 4-6 Women Who Broke the Rules series. Illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher. Using the theme of rule-breaking to introduce a variety of women, Krull crafts informative and readable biographies. While Krull strives to tell the whole story, certain elements feel out of place or casually thrown in. But the various illustration styles are well matched to their subjects, and for young readers looking for facts about fascinating women, this series fits the bill. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Women Who Broke the Rules titles: Dolley Madison, Judy Blume, and Sonia Sotomayor.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. From heroes and heroines to bandits and beloved American icons, these balanced titles consistently sort fact from fiction and confirm each figure's place in history. First chapters successfully introduce the subjects and draw readers in by describing dynamic events. Archival photographs, maps, primary sources, and sidebars combine with dry but informative texts to complete these well-documented biographies. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Americans--The Spirit of a Nation titles: Jesse James, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Billy the Kid, and Johnny Appleseed.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ronald Himler. The story opens with Washington, D.C., burning and Dolley Madison heroically rescuing valuable treasures from the Executive Mansion. The text loses some momentum as it goes back to summarize James's and Dolley's biographies individually, then their meeting and marriage. Information about Madison's presidency and the War of 1812 is also included. Sketchlike illustrations complete the offering. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) K-3 This picture book biography focuses on a particular incident in the First Lady's life: during the War of 1812, Dolley rescued the Gilbert Stuart life-size portrait of George Washington from the soon-to-be-burned President's Mansion. Brown's fine-lined pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations don't shy away from the harsh realities of battle and post-Revolutionary War life but nevertheless maintain a sly, light tone. Bib.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. The lives of six famous figures are profiled in clear prose and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, reproductions, and maps. Information boxes provide diverting sidelights to the well-documented texts, and each volume ends with a chapter reiterating the achievements and historical legacy of the subject. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta