Geared toward their younger fans, large color photographs and simply structured text provide brief introductions to six NFL standouts: Brady, Brees, Rodgers, and Romo, all team-leading quarterbacks; Peterson, record-breaking running back; and Polamalu, defensive superstar. The laudatory books include obstacles overcome on the athletes' way to becoming fan favorites. Synthetic-looking astroturf borders are a cheesy design touch. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

MACRAE, Sloan . Carmelo Anthony . ISBN 978-1-4488-6160-6 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6278-8 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6504-8 . LC 2011019527. MACRAE, Sloan . Chad Ochocinco . ISBN 978-1-4488-6162-0 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6282-5 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6506-2 . LC 2011022730. MACRAE, Sloan . David Wright . ISBN 978-1-4488-6164-4 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6286-3 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6508-6 . LC 2011025273. MACRAE, Sloan . Evan Longoria . ISBN 978-1-4488-6163-7 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6284-9 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6507-9 . LC 2011023997. MACRAE, Sloan . Rajon Rondo . ISBN 978-1-4488-6165-1 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6288-7 ; ISBN 978-1-4488-6509-3 . LC 2011026810. ea vol: 24p. (Sports Heroes Series). photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen / PowerKids Pr. 2012. PLB $21.25; pap. $8.25; ebook $21.25. Gr 2-4 Elementary school sport fans and reluctant readers will eagerly snatch up these short but satisfying biographies. They feature top athletes who overcame adversity (many of them grew up in a poor neighborhoods or were considered too small to succeed), and, through determination, hard work, and talent, became sports stars. MacRae covers their career paths as well as their charitable works and other activities. Some of the profiled men's "hero" status is questionable, though the titles do address on-field antics and off-field misconduct. In David Wright , for example, MacRae explains, "Some athletes get in trouble off the field. They might think they can get away with breaking laws or behaving badly because they are famous." Captioned action photos, a page of "Fun Facts," and a useful glossary appear in every volume.