KENNON, Michou . Queen Latifah . ISBN 978-1-4339-4808-4 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-4811-4 . LC 2010029136. MAIMONE, Max Q. Justin Timberlake . ISBN 978-1-4339-4800-8 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-4803-9 . LC 2010026218. MAIMONE, Max Q. Mary J. Blige . ISBN 978-1-4339-4804-6 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-4807-7 . LC 2010027405. NACEROUS, Roman P. Jay-Z . ISBN 978-1-4339-4796-4 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-4799-5 . LC 2010023237. SHEA, Therese . Alicia Keys . ISBN 978-1-4339-4784-1 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-4787-2 . LC 2010027404. SHEA, Therese . The Black Eyed Peas . ISBN 978-1-4339-4792-6 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-4795-7 . LC 2010023236. SHEA, Therese . Usher . ISBN 978-1-4339-4812-1 ; ISBN 978-1-4339-4815-2 . LC 2010030118. ea vol: 32p. (Hip-Hop Headliners Series). photos. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. Gareth Stevens . 2011. PLB $25.25; ebook $25.25. Gr 4-8 This hi/lo series profiles current stars, giving basic information about their childhoods, how they rose to fame, and the songs for which they are famous. The language is clear, but for every full-page color photo there are only one or two short sentences on the accompanying page. Glossary words are not highlighted in the narratives. Although the appeal of the subjects may be high, there is not enough information provided in these books to justify purchase.

The Hip-Hop Headliners series has a mission. The hi-lo titles are designed for readers at a first-grade level but with subject matter that appeals to kids considerably older. The publisher says they're suitable for grades six through eight, noting also that the typeface and font size are more suitable to that age group. Although all of this is true, struggling readers will certainly notice the low page count and that there is only a sentence or two on each page. It seems a more likely audience would be struggling fourth- through sixth-graders, which is certainly a demographic that would be fans of the group. The information given is purely basic: names of the band members, where they met, the addition of Fergie to the group, and mention of records and songs. The stylized design, with plenty of high-resolution color photographs, is indeed eye-catching. A brief glossary, time line, and list of resources are appended.