ALA Booklist (Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2007)

Steele, who has authored several National Geographic World History Biographies titles, offers another lively entry in the series. The cradle-to-grave text includes vivid descriptions of Newton's youth, during which the future scientist's ineptitude as a farmer earned his family's approval to pursue further university studies. As in the series' other titles, the dynamic format is a draw; numerous, mostly archival images (including fascinating reproductions from Newton's journals) and a time-line border add interest and cultural context on each spacious page. A small bibliography, glossary, and list of source notes round out this recommended title in a consistently strong series.

Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

Beginning with childhood, these handsomely designed books trace the lives of each historical figure, highlighting small details (e.g., as a child Joan was "well behaved"), major achievements, struggles, and their impact today. Most pages feature a running timeline, artwork reproductions or other illustrations, and factual text boxes, which further help set these extraordinary lives in historical context. Bib., glos., ind.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-These colorful, appealing biographies are attractively illustrated and pleasingly presented. The books are divided chronologically into four sections; each consists of three to four chapters and a historical segment, thus covering the lives and the times of their subjects. Dates, highlighted across the bottom of pages in a colorful band, note biographical points of reference and historical events. The writing is competent, though lacking spark or flair, and covers all the essentials. Anne Frank and Joan of Arc both contain incorrect dates and Anne Frank presumes knowledge of Judaism; Newton is the best of the three. Many other titles are available on these individuals, although an appallingly high percentage are riddled with errors. Kathleen Krull's Isaac Newton (Viking, 2006) lacks Steele's excellent visuals but is lively and entertaining. Diane Stanley's Joan of Arc (Morrow, 1998) provides a full, accurate narrative in a picture-book format. Johanna Hurwitz's Anne Frank: Life in Hiding (HarperCollins, 1993 ), Gene Brown's Anne Frank: Child of the Holocaust (Gale, 1993), and Ruud Van der Rol and Rian Verhoeven's Anne Frank: Beyond the Diary (Viking, 1993 ) are all helpful (the last is the best illustrated).-Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Voice of Youth Advocates

These two biographies are prime examples of attractive nonfiction that should particularly appeal to reluctant readers working on school reports. Each book contains illustrations or photos on almost every page, and, more important, the information is carefully divided into digestible portions, such that no one "chapter" extends beyond a two-page spread. A running chronology, containing both milestones in the subject's life as well as relevant historical events, borders the bottom edge of the pages, and call-out boxes define terms or elaborate on events mentioned in the main body of the text. Occasionally Joan of Arc dips a little too far into informality; for instance, the reader is told that when Pierre Cauchon taunted Joan at her trial, she "got him back" by responding in kind. For the most part, however, both books use vocabulary that is neither simplistic nor intimidating, and while the authors' admiration for their subjects is evident, they maintain appropriate objectivity. In Joan of Arc, for example, Wilkinson states matter-of-factly that Joan sincerely believed that she heard voices but notes that the strong religious beliefs of the time meant that more people were inclined to believe her than might be the case today. Similarly Steele describes Isaac Newton's irritable and overly sensitive personality in addition to his scientific genius. Both authors are also careful to note when a particular piece of information cannot be confirmed. The most obvious example is the story of Newton and the now-legendary apple that might have inspired him to investigate the concept of gravity, but the authors also frequently state that Joan or Isaac "may have" or "most likely would have" done something based on the living conditions known to exist during the relevant time periods. Overall these biographies, which also include books on Anne Frank, Wofgang Amadeus Mozart, Nelson Mandela, and Mao Zedong, will hopefully show young adults in school and public libraries that resear