(3) 4-6 Living History series. A readable biography of the first Latino and third woman to be appointed a Supreme Court Justice. Beginning with her childhood poverty and early diagnosis of diabetes, the book shows how Justice Sotomayor's early experiences have shaped her adult life. Well researched, with detailed chapter notes and quotations from the Justice's autobiography.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. These level-three biographies for "fluent readers" use relatively simple sentence structure and unadorned writing styles to introduce readers to Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor and medieval Arab scholar and scientist Ibn al-Haytham. With various sidebars, text boxes, and visuals (photographs plus static illustrations in Ibn), the presentation is visually cluttered, but the material is solid. A quiz is appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these National Geographic Readers titles: Sonia Sotomayor and Ibn al-Haytham.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) K-3 Pebble Books: Great Hispanic and Latino Americans series. The goals and achievements of prominent Latino and Hispanic Americans are highlighted in this accessible series, though this heritage is mentioned in passing if at all. Well-chosen photographs combine with a level-appropriate amount of information focusing on each subject's early education and the influences that led to careers and accomplishments. The simple, pointed prose will appeal to new readers. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Pebble Books: Great Hispanic and Latino Americans titles: Cesar Chavez, Ellen Ochoa, and Sonia Sotomayor.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Women Who Broke the Rules series. Illustrated by Angela Dominguez. 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

(4) YA People in the News series. Each title touches on the public figure's early years, later life, and achievements. Though the writing tends to be overly laudatory, difficult issues are occasionally addressed, especially in the Karzai volume (e.g., corruption allegations against him, his increasing criticism of the West). Sidebars cover more general topics, adding some context. Many photographs are included. There are eight other fall 2011 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Katy Perry, George Lopez, Sonia Sotomayor, Lady Gaga, and Hamid Karzai.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. This illustrated biography in verse details the life of Ms. Sotomayor from her childhood in New York City to her rise to Supreme Court Justice. The text, punctuated by the occasional Spanish word, can be ponderous or choppy, though it does do a good job of scene-setting. Mixed-media illustrations breathe life into the story. Concurrently published in Spanish. Timeline. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. This illustrated biography in verse details the life of Ms. Sotomayor from her childhood in New York City to her rise to Supreme Court Justice. Though the text does a good job of depicting setting, it can be ponderous or choppy (however, it does flow better than the concurrently published English-language version). Mixed-media illustrations breathe life into the story. Timeline. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Gateway Biography series. These standard biographies offer sanitized facts about each subject's life, beginning with childhood and ending with present day (which in Sotomayor focuses on her Supreme Court achievements, and in Jackson his legacy after death). The simple, uncluttered design includes appealing captioned photos. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Gateway Biography titles: Michael Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey

(4) YA Supreme Court Justices series. For each Supreme Court Justice, the life experiences that shaped his or her character are examined along with their Court decisions; special emphasis is placed on important cases over which they presided. John Marshall offers historical context from the colonial era. Illustrations, photographs, and excerpts from their writings provide additional detail and insight and help break up the dauntingly dense-looking texts. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Supreme Court Justices titles: Earl Warren, John Marshall, Sonia Sotomayor, and Thurgood Marshall.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Edel Rodriguez. Sotomayor's inspiring life is described in this picture book biography. The story begins in a South Bronx housing project and sees her through Princeton, early judgeships, and finally the U.S. Supreme Court. Though the writing (in English and Spanish) is overblown ("her blossoming began with her mother's love and hard work"), Winter makes his subject accessible. Rodriguez's mixed-media illustrations are warmly expressive.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham