These books for younger readers offer only a few personal details and focus on the subjects' accomplishments. Krensky provides a sprightly account of the maverick Nellie Bly's work exposing corrupt politicians, unfair treatment of the mentally ill, and fraud. Soto covers Chávez's role in helping California farm workers fight for their rights. Both books include black-and-white drawings; Bly has a timeline. Bib. [Review covers these Milestone Books titles: Nellie Bly and Cesar Chavez.]

Gr 3-5-Several books have been written about the pacifistic defender of migrants' rights in this, the 10th anniversary of his death. Unfortunately, this one is written in stilted and lackluster prose. Soto focuses on Chavez's leadership in the '60s grape boycott and the strikes that were supported by Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. He paints the grim picture of "how one group of poor people was being pitted against another more desperate group," the Mexican Americans versus the government-sponsored illegal Mexican braceros, and describes how the situation was fueled by greedy and racist growers. Lohstoeter's black-and-white pencil drawings fit the somber mood of the text. The fact that the road to social equity is a tumultuous one is a message that young readers will not miss; it's too bad that the writing is so pedestrian.-John Sigwald, Unger Memorial Library, Plainview, TX Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.