(3) K-3 Illustrated by Amy June Bates. This portrait of the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee focuses on Joe Biden's childhood and young adult years. The narrative ties together anecdotes showcasing Biden's leadership, compassion, faith, and strong commitment to family, with a focus on his humble upbringing and struggles with stuttering and bullying. Written by his wife--with veteran nonfiction author Krull--this picture book biography is laudatory but not overly so. Warm illustrations contribute to the text's comforting mood. Family tragedies are included in a timeline (current to March 2020). A list of homey "Bidenisms" and a bibliography are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) YA Illustrated by Briana Arrington. Content warning: Donohue's introduction states that "not all the women in this book are what I would consider heroes." Instead of showcasing fan favorites, the book offers the range of experiences and influence women have had in (mainly American) politics. Leaders include US senator Elizabeth Warren, current US secretary of education Betsy DeVos, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Each four-page profile follows the same format: "Life Story" and "What's on Her Agenda," followed by lists of "Awesome Achievements" and "Quotables." Portraits of nineteen of the profiled women are included.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(1) YA Former U.S. Congressman Norman Mineta, who shares his childhood experiences at Heart Mountain Internment Camp, is the heart of this book about Japanese American internment during WWII. Warren smoothly moves from her subject's personal experiences to incorporate the larger picture of the 120,000 people interned across the U.S. Warren leaves much to ponder about our nation's past and present, about "this beautiful tapestry that is America." Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ekua Holmes. This large book, with its lush, vivid mixed-media illustrations, makes an artistic statement as bold as groundbreaking African American congresswoman Jordan's own giant voice. Smart page-turns--often prompted by repeating the titular question--lead readers to think about, rather than simply learn about, Jordan's life. Barton’s overriding theme is that her big ideas--of justice, equality, and freedom--inspire others and will resonate for years to come. Reading list, timeline.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) K-3 Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans series. Using short, simple sentences and engaging photos, this early-reader biography series introduces famous Asian Americans, filling a gap in children's biographies. Key moments in each subject's professional life are covered chronologically and accompanied by a cumulative timeline. Ample white space around the texts and large pictures make for attractive and supportive layouts for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Great Asian Americans titles: Tammy Duckworth and Yo-Yo Ma.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Gormley's admiring profile follows McCain through his childhood and the U.S. Naval Academy before detailing his resistance and resilience while imprisoned and tortured by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. The remainder of the book, which ends too abruptly, deals with McCain's political career and terminal illness and how his strong character and erratic temperament affected his personal and political lives. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) YA Perritano's account of U.S. Senator John McCain's life until his brain cancer diagnosis focuses most thoroughly on his pre-politician years and draws liberally from McCain's own writings. The author extolls McCain's commitment to integrity, courage, and love of country throughout his naval career; Vietnam imprisonment; U.S. Congress tenure; and bid for the presidency. The readable text is enhanced with numerous photographs. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA The summer after high school, Cameron Carter moves from small-town California to DC to work as an intern for up-and-coming Congressman Billy Beck. Cameron bonds with a fellow staffer, who hints at secret corruption. When she turns up dead, Cameron finds himself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy. Despite an occasionally slow-moving plot, this tale of political intrigue will appeal to thriller fans.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) YA In this frank yet positive account of Clinton's life through the 2015 announcement of her presidential candidacy, Blumenthal chronicles Clinton's youth, marriage, and career (including various scandals). Acknowledging that Clinton's public story has been "carefully controlled and crafted," Blumenthal allows Clinton's accomplishments (and sometimes her foibles) to take center stage and suggest the woman behind the pantsuit. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Pattee | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2016

(3) 4-6 Real-Life Story series. Clinton's many accomplishments and challenges are documented in a clear, engaging style in this narrative biography. From her childhood through her win in the Democratic Primary and 2016 presidential run, Harness explores Hillary's political partnership with Bill Clinton and her struggle to fit into the mold of political wife as well as her individual political and personal endeavors. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 By the People series. These six clearly written and attractive primers on American government focus on the history, influential officeholders, political ideology, purpose, and structure of institutions at the federal, state, and local level. Sidebars, illustrations, and charts add color and context to the accurate and overall non-partisan texts. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following By the People titles: The Presidential Cabinet, State and Local Government, The U.S. House of Representatives, The U.S. Presidency, The U.S. Senate, and The U.S. Supreme Court.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 By the People series. These six clearly written and attractive primers on American government focus on the history, influential officeholders, political ideology, purpose, and structure of institutions at the federal, state, and local level. Sidebars, illustrations, and charts add color and context to the accurate and overall non-partisan texts. Websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following By the People titles: The Presidential Cabinet, State and Local Government, The U.S. House of Representatives, The U.S. Presidency, The U.S. Senate, and The U.S. Supreme Court.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 How America Works series. Designed to give middle-grade readers a basic understanding of American governmental operations, this series includes a broad overview (Government); information about the function of each branch; framework for our country's individual and collective freedoms (Bill of Rights and Constitution); and clarification on the electoral process (Elections). Photographs, illustrations, charts, and sidebars add interest to the choppy but informative texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following How America Works titles: How Elections Work, How the Government Works, How the Judicial Branch Works, The Bill of Rights, The U.S. Constitution, How the Executive Branch Works, and How the Legislative Branch Works.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Don Tate. Reconstruction-era Mississippi is the setting of former slave Lynch's story, during which time he witnessed many ways in which slaves' happy freedom "soon turned sour." Lynch saw racialized violence, used cunning to gain an education, and became an advocate for equal rights as a U.S. Congressman. A dignified biography illustrated with much emotion. Back matter encourages further exploration. Reading list, timeline.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) K-3 First Step Nonfiction: Exploring Government series. Using simple, direct sentences, this series provides young children with cursory information about American government operations. The basic format consists of chapters beginning with one-sentence statements ("U.S. citizens have many responsibilities") followed by several pages that expand on the premise (e.g., "They vote"); each page includes a welcoming stock photo. The series has value as a springboard for discussion with lower-elementary students. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Step Nonfiction: Exploring Government titles: What Are Elections?, What Are Rules and Laws?, What Are the Branches of Government?, What Is a Democracy?, What Is Citizenship?, and Who Are Government's Leaders?.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Amy June Bates. This "updated for 2016" picture-book biography shows Clinton repeatedly surmounting obstacles to reach her goals. Each spread includes straightforward text alongside trite inspirational messages ("Take the lead role in your own life"). Browns and reds dominate the loose-outlined watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations; a few show Clinton looking spacy when she's meant to appear deep in thought. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. This is a thorough, engaging, and well-designed account of women in American politics. Each chapter covers about a decade of U.S. history, giving a snapshot of the status of women during each era. Enhanced with photos and cartoon illustrations, the lively narrative begins with a profile of Jeannette Rankin, the first congresswoman in 1917, and continues through the 2013 delegation. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: How Does Government Work? series. These books provide accessible overviews of the U.S. government. Documents looks at the creation of three essential documents from the late 1700s. The other volumes discuss running for elected office and the three branches of government. Lots of archival illustrations and/or photographs break up the concise, choppily written texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: How Does Government Work? titles: Checks and Balances, Judges and Courts, The President, Vice President, and Cabinet, The Congress, Getting Elected, and Documents of Freedom.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Courageous Heroes of the American West series. All originally published under different titles, the updated editions of these brief biographies, written in short, easy-to-read sentences, outline the lives of adventurous individuals who helped shape the American West during the nineteenth century. Black-and-white photographs and drawings add some interest to the text-heavy pages; the lurid cover illustrations are unappealing. There are four other fall 2012 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Courageous Heroes of the American West titles: Bill Pickett, Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Richard King, Sacagawea, and Sam Houston.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Courageous Heroes of the American West series. All originally published under different titles, the updated editions of these brief biographies, written in short, easy-to-read sentences, outline the lives of adventurous individuals who helped shape the American West during the nineteenth century. Black-and-white photographs and drawings add some interest to the text-heavy pages; the lurid cover illustrations are unappealing. There are four other fall 2012 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Courageous Heroes of the American West titles: Bill Pickett, Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Richard King, Sacagawea, and Sam Houston.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.