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(4)
YA
With Nancy Ohlin. In this blend of memoir, advice book, and journal, reality-TV teenage star Lukasiak (Dance Moms) opens up about life, dreams, and insecurities. Lukasiak's conversational narrative is interspersed with poems, short stories, photos, and quotes (from Oprah to Taylor Swift), showing that girls contain multitudes. However, these pieces interrupt chapters, creating an overall chaotic, jumbled effect.
(4)
4-6
Newsmakers series.
This accessibly written series is notable for its clean layouts, including color photographs, sidebars, and charts. The mostly complimentary narratives are decent overviews of their subjects' early lives as well as career successes and failures, but with living subjects, the content will soon become outdated. A "Stop and Think" feature offers discussion questions that can be used for assignments. There are four other fall 2017 books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Newsmakers titles: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Julian Assange, Elon Musk, and Ellen DeGeneres.
(3)
YA
TV personality/activist Jennings writes openly and (very) honestly about her life as a transgender girl (and what that means). In an upbeat, conversational text, Jennings covers the challenges she faces, her family's unconditional support and advocacy work, and her hopes for the future. A black-and-white photo opens each chapter. The back matter includes an extensive list of resources and annotated lists of websites, books, movies, and TV shows.
(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Great Women series.
The lives of six diverse, inspirational women--three of whom (Goodall, Yousafzai, and Winfrey) are still living--are summarized in this series, which aligns to Common Core Standards. Though only broadly chronicling their challenges and/or accomplishments, these offerings may spur interest in further study. The archival photographs included are noteworthy, and lists of quick stats and key dates are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Zoom In on Great Women titles: Anne Frank, Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, Mother Teresa, Oprah Winfrey, and Rosa Parks.
(2)
YA
Manzano (Sesame Street's recently retired Maria) recounts her Bronx childhood and adolescence in first-person, present-tense narration. After an intentionally disjointed beginning--vignettes shift among her father's drunken abuse, her mother's love, their unstable living situation--the story gains coherence as it progresses, ending when she auditions for Sesame Street. Manzano's writing is lyrical and accessible, laced with fear, confusion, love, anger (and a number of f-bombs).
Reviewer: Randy Ribay
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2015
32 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-820-4$18.95
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4-6
Checkerboard Library: Reality TV Titans series.
These biographies cover the personal and professional lives of six reality-TV stars, with information ranging from the serious (Tim Gunn's teenage suicide attempt) to the superfluous ("[Rachael] Ray has a pit bull named Isaboo"). Projects/recipes "inspired by" the books' subjects are fairly uninspired, but middle-grade fans of the shows may enjoy the serviceable texts and color photos. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Reality TV Titans titles: Fun and Food with Guy Fieri, Getting Gritty with Mike Rowe, Pioneer Practices with Ree Drummond, Simple Solutions with Rachael Ray, Tasteful Fashion with Tim Gunn, and Zany Eats with Andrew Zimmern.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| September, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-819-8$18.95
(4)
4-6
Checkerboard Library: Reality TV Titans series.
These biographies cover the personal and professional lives of six reality-TV stars, with information ranging from the serious (Tim Gunn's teenage suicide attempt) to the superfluous ("[Rachael] Ray has a pit bull named Isaboo"). Projects/recipes "inspired by" the books' subjects are fairly uninspired, but middle-grade fans of the shows may enjoy the serviceable texts and color photos. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Reality TV Titans titles: Fun and Food with Guy Fieri, Getting Gritty with Mike Rowe, Pioneer Practices with Ree Drummond, Simple Solutions with Rachael Ray, Tasteful Fashion with Tim Gunn, and Zany Eats with Andrew Zimmern.
(4)
4-6
Savvy: Girls Rock! series.
"Awesome women" of entertainment and the sciences are profiled in these girl-empowering installments. While the numerous photographs, timelines, energetic visuals, and sidebars are "super cool," the text is scattershot: attention devoted to individuals is inexplicably uneven and significant information is sometimes omitted. Nonetheless, the dynamic, browsing-friendly design and inclusion of lesser-known figures make sturdy launching points for further research. Reading list. Ind. Review covers these Savvy: Girls Rock! titles: Girls Research and Girls Star!.
104 pp.
| Enslow
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3991-9$26.60 New ed. (2006)
(4)
YA
African-American Icons series.
These accessible, simplistic biographies trace the lives of contemporary African American leaders in the arts. The uncomplicated prose may appeal to report writers who are also reluctant readers. While the books' original design was uninspired, it did include plenty of photos--which these new editions have oddly omitted. Discography (Smith), filmography (Berry; Smith). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Toni Morrison, Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Oprah Winfrey.
112 pp.
| Lucent
| March, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4205-0161-2$32.45
(4)
YA
People in the News series.
These series entries provide a portrait of each subject's childhood, career, and influences. The texts, though superficial, are informative. Sidebars touch on related topics (e.g., Tibet in Dalai Lama, diabetes in Jonas Brothers), controversies (e.g., Fey's portrayal of Sarah Palin, DeGeneres's coming out), and trivia. There are five other spring 2010 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Tyra Banks, Hillary Clinton, Tina Fey, The Dalai Lama, Jonas Brothers, and Ellen DeGeneres.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| September, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3406-8$31.93
(4)
YA
Celebrities with Heart series.
These celebrity biographies reflect on the philanthropic efforts of famous people. Each volume focuses on its subject's rise to fame and fortune, beginning with childhood and not shying away from difficult situations (e.g., McGraw's biological father, Winfrey's rape). The stock photos and choppy texts aren't all that inspiring, but the stories are. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Celebrities with Heart titles: Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff, Oprah Winfrey, Adam Sandler, Angelina Jolie, and Tim McGraw.
96 pp.
| Lucent
| April, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4205-0234-3$32.45
(4)
YA
People in the News series.
These series entries provide a portrait of each subject's childhood, career, and influences. The texts, though superficial, are informative. Sidebars touch on related topics (e.g., Tibet in Dalai Lama, diabetes in Jonas Brothers), controversies (e.g., Fey's portrayal of Sarah Palin, DeGeneres's coming out), and trivia. There are five other spring 2010 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People in the News titles: Tyra Banks, Hillary Clinton, Tina Fey, The Dalai Lama, Jonas Brothers, and Ellen DeGeneres.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| March, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5632-2$17.99
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K-3
Illustrated by
London Ladd.
This portrait of the television talk-show queen focuses on Winfrey's Mississippi childhood, during which she lived on a farm and honed her public-speaking skills at church. Many pages conclude with an italicized remark about God's influence (e.g., "God had shone a light on her"); cumulatively, these suggest an Oprah-as-saint sentiment that's somewhat off-putting. The acrylic paintings capture her strength and determination.
128 pp.
| Chelsea
| February, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60413-078-2$30.00
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4-6
Women of Achievement series.
This series contextualizes its subjects' lives and accomplishments in politics, culture, and/or history. The books, though dense and lengthy, are well written; sidebars supplement the narratives with interesting facts (e.g., women in the 1920s used radium to curl their hair; both Hillary and Bill Clinton have won Grammy awards). Photographs and reproductions illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rachael Ray, Marie Curie, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen DeGeneres, Martha Stewart, and Susan B. Anthony.
48 pp.
| Lerner
| April, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-57505-949-5$25.26
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4-6
Gateway Biography series.
The forty-fourth U.S. president, the longtime Massachusetts senator, and the supermodel-turned-entrepreneur are all given cursory biographical treatments. These books effectively describe the subjects' political or business successes and philanthropic work. However, anything negative is often oversimplified or omitted, especially in Kennedy. Banks includes a glossary and bibliography; Kennedy lists "Fun Facts" and other notable Kennedys. Obama has been updated through 2008. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Gateway Biography titles: Barack Obama, Tyra Banks, and Ted Kennedy.
136 pp.
| Chelsea
| February, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60413-082-9$30.00
(4)
4-6
Women of Achievement series.
This series contextualizes its subjects' lives and accomplishments in politics, culture, and/or history. The books, though dense and lengthy, are well written; sidebars supplement the narratives with interesting facts (e.g., women in the 1920s used radium to curl their hair; both Hillary and Bill Clinton have won Grammy awards). Photographs and reproductions illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rachael Ray, Marie Curie, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen DeGeneres, Martha Stewart, and Susan B. Anthony.
135 pp.
| Chelsea
| March, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60413-083-6$30.00
(4)
4-6
Women of Achievement series.
This series contextualizes its subjects' lives and accomplishments in politics, culture, and/or history. The books, though dense and lengthy, are well written; sidebars supplement the narratives with interesting facts (e.g., women in the 1920s used radium to curl their hair; both Hillary and Bill Clinton have won Grammy awards). Photographs and reproductions illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Women of Achievement titles: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rachael Ray, Marie Curie, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen DeGeneres, Martha Stewart, and Susan B. Anthony.
(4)
4-6
Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers series.
These biracial (or multiracial) achievers are revealed through their backgrounds, goals, accomplishments, and obstacles overcome. Parks and Du Bois are examined against the historical context of racial inequality and injustice, the others in light of contemporary struggles. The pages, jam-packed with pull-quotes, sidebars, and crisp photographs, are difficult to navigate. There are seven other fall 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers titles: David Blaine, Rosa Parks, Alicia Keys, Prince, Soledad O'Brien, and W. E. B. Du Bois.
128 pp.
| Morgan
| August, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59935-096-7$27.95
(4)
YA
Business Leaders series.
These books highlight the lives of three entrepreneurs: Dell, developer and CEO of Dell Computers; Winfrey, popular TV talk-show host and successful businesswoman; and world-renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Each person's rise to wealth and fame is described in straightforward text. Photographs add interest to these not particularly inspired but readable biographies. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Business Leaders titles: Michael Dell, Oprah Winfrey, and Ralph Lauren.
112 pp.
| Twenty-First Century
| September, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-58013-571-9$33.26
(4)
YA
USA Today Lifeline Biographies series.
Using some excerpts from USA Today articles, this book describes Winfrey's life, from her traumatic childhood through her beauty pageant years and dream of emulating Barbara Walters to her superstardom today, with an emphasis on philanthropic efforts. Though the book's design is busy, its many photographs and sidebars add interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.