Gr 7 Up-In the first book, Cruz takes readers from Chavez's first job as a migrant worker in California at age 10 through his decision to help his fellow workers: his fasts, his activism, the founding and continued involvement in the United Farm Workers Union until his death in 1993. Black-and-white and full-color photos appear throughout. The second book captures the dynamic life of the intriguing painter. Politically active, artistically cutting-edge, physically tortured from an accident in her late teens, Kahlo was born and lived most of her life in Mexico. Wooten discusses her subject's physical and mental struggles, including her volatile marriage to Diego Rivera. This title includes numerous full-color reproductions of Kahlo's work in addition to black-and-white photographs of her family and friends. Both titles are solid additions for most libraries.-Delia Carruthers, Sunset Ridge Middle School, West Jordan, UT Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Mexican American migrant worker and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez is featured in this biography for beginning readers. Details of his early life include his attendance at more than 30 different schools as his family moved around looking for work, before he finally dropped out in eighth grade. An avid reader, he was inspired by Gandhi and his methods of peaceful protest thods Chavez would later incorporate when he formed the National Farm Workers Association and drew attention to unfair working conditions. This is clearly written with a glossary of terms highlighted within the text and compiled at the end. "Fast Facts" and photo captions provide incidental information that complements the narrative. Full-page photographs highlight Chavez's dynamism as a leader as he talks to workers and makes speeches in front of rapt crowds. A poem and a "You Can Make a Difference" list at the end atures shared with other books in the Rookie Biographies series el like filler but are otherwise innocuous. Chavez, the first Latino featured in the series, is a welcome addition.