(3) K-3 Written with her customary succinct text and illustrated with simple yet eloquent acrylics, Winter recounts the Williams sisters' tennis careers, from childhood practices in Compton, California, to international championships. It is clear that their paths have not been easy, and the sustenance of their sororal bond is appropriately invoked and celebrated in this tribute. Bib.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. More of an inspirational piece than a straightforward biography, this picture book relates the difficult early years through the Williams sisters' rise to tennis fame and their ensuing setbacks. Themes of hard work, perseverance, and family loyalty are emphasized throughout Bryant's text, which includes occasional (unsourced) quotations. Cooper's trademark subtractive illustrations are full of life, emotion, and character.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(1) K-3 Illustrated by James E. Ransome. The wife-and-husband team celebrates tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, focusing on their formative childhoods and the way their preparation and talent fundamentally changed the game. As Cline-Ransome's chronological account progresses, the sisters are positioned farther apart, eventually on opposite sides of the net, in Ransome's illustrations. A final spread, showing them holding hands after Serena bested Venus in the 2002 French Open, communicates the sisters' ultimate devotion to each other. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(4) 4-6 Who HQ: Who Was...? series. Illustrated by Andrew Thomson. Grosset's long-running Who Was...? series is re-branded. This readable, informative biography is marred only by the caricatured cover illustrations (typical of the classic series) and interior pencil illustrations that are inconsistent in style. Otherwise, the book will give young readers a good sense of who the Williams sisters are. Occasional full- and double-page text boxes successfully illuminate related topics. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(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 Playmakers series. These volumes provide brief profiles of basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, football, and golf standouts. The choppy texts focus on each player's biggest games to date (through early 2017) and impressive statistical accomplishments, while also touching on his or her background and personal life. Color photographs capture the athletic action. "Fun Facts and Quotes" are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Playmakers titles: Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Spieth, Serena Williams, Bryce Harper, Stephen Curry, and Neymar.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Captured History: Sports series. A competent overview of the Williams sisters' tennis achievements is hampered by an on-and-off relationship with the series' focus on sports photography and the career of photojournalist Mike Blake. While few of the included photos are actually Blake's, the many pictures add interest, and the book provides a good history of tennis and its only gradual acceptance of black players. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(4) YA People in the News series. Each title touches on the athlete's childhood, adult life, achievements, and surrounding controversies. Though the writing tends to be overly laudatory, difficult issues are occasionally addressed ("Rodriguez's Steroid Use," "Serena's Legacy Is Tarnished"). Sidebars cover more general topics, such as baseball free agency or racism in tennis. Many photographs are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Alex Rodriguez and Serena Williams.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) 4-6 Benchmark All-Stars series. Six well-known athletes are profiled in these readable biographies. The texts, an appealing mix of personal and professional details, are accompanied by a variety of large color photographs. A couple of the books are missing up-to-date information, such as Armstrong's 2004 Tour de France win, and there's only a brief mention of Rodriguez's trade to the Yankees. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Benchmark All-Stars titles: Alex Rodriquez, Donovan McNabb, Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, Tony Hawk, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard: Awesome Athletes series. These books for reluctant readers briefly cover each subject's early years before focusing on his or her athletic career. The coverage is superficial and adulatory but accessible; controversy and adversity are ignored. Action photos, a timeline, and stats help break up the text. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard: Awesome Athletes titles: Alex Rodriguez, Ichiro Suzuki, Tony Hawk, Kobe Bryant, Venus & Serena Williams, and Yao Ming.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Amazing Athletes series. After an introductory chapter, each of these formulaic profiles cover an athlete's childhood and early career. The remaining sections focus on professional accomplishments and highlights. Despite the perfunctory nature of these brief treatments, a colorful page design, crisp photographs, and large print should appeal to younger and reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Amazing Athletes titles: Venus & Serena Williams, Ichiro Suzuki, Jeff Gordon, and Tiger Woods.]

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck

(4) 4-6 This breathless biography commences with a detailed look at Serena's first grand slam victory. Morgan continues with a chronological account of the tennis stars' climb to fame starting with their early childhood and ending with their victories at the 2000 Olympics. References to the importance of education seem tacked on. Color action photos punctuate the chapters. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) 4-6 New Wave series. These admiring biographies profile five young stars of professional basketball, auto racing, tennis, and track and field. The books discuss their subjects' remarkable talents and the intense dedication that propelled them to early success but don't delve very deeply into their personal lives. The color photos aren't always engaging, but the texts offer much of interest to fans. Ind.

Reviewer: Charlotte S. Huck