A smiling face on the cover welcomes kids to each slender volume in the Influential People series (8 titles). Designed to attract a broad age range of readers, the books provide basic biographical information that is accessible to primary-grade readers and older students with lower reading levels. Few double-page spreads include more than a couple of paragraphs, and the sentences are seldom more than 10 words long, which can make the writing sound stilted at times. The two-page spreads usually feature a large, color photo of the person discussed, along with captions and colorful design elements. Jason Reynolds presents Reynolds as an African American author who, inspired by his early love of rap music, writes books about urban kids and frequently talks to young people in schools, community centers, and juvenile detention centers. A series of short biographical introductions to noteworthy people.