For cogent and straightforward early introductions to famous people, you'd be hard-pressed to top the humble yet hardworking Rookie Biographies series. In 32 pages, the books use layers of info rge declarative sentences, smaller fast facts, and even smaller captions ease a reader's path into an ever-deeper understanding. Every spread includes a well-chosen one-page photo that brings the text to life. Jackie Robinson traces Number 42's journey from high-school superstar to Negro League standout to the barrier-smashing icon of the Brooklyn Dodgers. There's no real getting into the minds of the subjects, but that's okay e facts, the pictures, and the back matter (a poem, life tips, a time line, and more) speak for themselves.

K-Gr 2-Both books consist of easy-to-read, large-type texts (one or two sentences per page), numerous archival photographs, and lots of white space. Even more basic than the previous "Rookie Biography" series (Children's) and the "Tell Me About" and "On My Own Biography" series (both Carolrhoda), these titles will serve beginning readers well and introduce them to the lives of these pioneers.-Shauna Yusko, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.