Starred Review The Lifeline Biographies series, which is produced with access to USA Today's archives, does a fantastic job of creating biographies that are both informative and eye-catching. Moreover, their subjects are of substantial interest to today's kids. Stephenie Meyer, profiling the author of the Twilight series, will certainly attract readers. The fascinating story of where Meyer's initial idea came from (a dream) will intrigue, while the twists and turns it took to get the first book published should be edifying. In a nice bit of balance, the book gives Meyer's critics a voice, too. "In Focus" sidebars, pertinent articles from USA Today, source notes, and great graphics all help make this series a standout.

Using USA Today articles, websites, interviews, and other sources, these biographies provide overviews of the slain rap star and the superstar author. The busy book design features many photographs, some of which enhance the texts (e.g., Tupac performing in various hip-hop shows) while others are clearly filler (e.g., in Meyer, a photo of kids lined up to purchase Harry Potter). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.