As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
96 pp.
| Enslow
| September, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-6147-7$27.94 New ed. (1996)
(4)
YA
Legendary African Americans series.
These biographies, originally published under slightly different titles in the African-American Biographies series, dutifully (and somewhat dully) report on their subjects' lives, accomplishments, and struggles, placing them within their historical time period. Unfortunately, almost all of the black-and-white photographs have been removed in these new editions, making for dense, uninspired packages. Reading list, timeline. Ind. Review covers these Legendary African Americans titles: The Life of Carter G. Woodson, The Life of Paul Laurence Dunbar, The Life of Harriet Tubman, and The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr..
112 pp.
| Enslow
| January, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-4230-8$26.60
(4)
YA
African-American Icons series.
These biographies highlight contemporary African American singers and actors. The texts don't sugarcoat their subjects' lives (e.g., Jay-Z's drug dealing past is fair game, along with Oprah's criticism of his songs' use of the N-word). Many of the sound-bite-ish quotes come from pop-culture interviews ("According to People magazine..."; "...he later told Playboy magazine..."). Oddly, no photos or illustrations are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Jay-Z, Chris Rock, Tyler Perry, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jennifer Hudson, and Beyoncé.
104 pp.
| Enslow
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3993-3$26.60 New ed. (2006)
(4)
YA
African-American Icons series.
These accessible, simplistic biographies trace the lives of contemporary African American leaders in the arts. The uncomplicated prose may appeal to report writers who are also reluctant readers. While the books' original design was uninspired, it did include plenty of photos--which these new editions have oddly omitted. Discography (Smith), filmography (Berry; Smith). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Toni Morrison, Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Oprah Winfrey.
104 pp.
| Enslow
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3994-0$26.60 New ed. (2006)
(4)
YA
African-American Icons series.
These accessible, simplistic biographies trace the lives of contemporary African American leaders in the arts. The uncomplicated prose may appeal to report writers who are also reluctant readers. While the books' original design was uninspired, it did include plenty of photos--which these new editions have oddly omitted. Discography (Smith), filmography (Berry; Smith). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Icons titles: Maya Angelou, Walter Dean Myers, Toni Morrison, Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Oprah Winfrey.
48 pp.
| Enslow
| August, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3844-8$23.93
(3)
4-6
Creative Writing in 5 Simple Steps series.
Most suitable for upper-elementary and middle-school aspiring authors, this series straightforwardly introduces writing in various genres through chapters on inspiration, preparation, organization, composition, and publication; Graphic Novel includes a chapter on illustration. Readers will find useful starting advice, writing techniques, famous examples of the genre, as well as questions and prompts to foster engagement with their own work. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Creative Writing in 5 Simple Steps titles: Write a Mystery in 5 Simple Steps, Write a Romance in 5 Simple Steps, Write Horror Fiction in 5 Simple Steps, Write Fantasy Fiction in 5 Simple Steps, Write a Graphic Novel in 5 Simple Steps, and Write Science Fiction in 5 Simple Steps.
112 pp.
| Enslow
| April, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3557-7$31.93
(4)
4-6
People to Know Today series.
These books profile two well-known women in Hollywood. Fey focuses on the writer/actor's work on Saturday Night Live, Mean Girls, and 30 Rock, while Johansson examines her movie and theater roles. Some information about their lives is provided, but both texts tend to fill space with over-long descriptions of each actress's projects along with critical reception. Many photos are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People to Know Today titles: Scarlett Johansson and Tina Fey.
112 pp.
| Enslow
| April, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3556-0$31.93
(4)
4-6
People to Know Today series.
These books profile two well-known women in Hollywood. Fey focuses on the writer/actor's work on Saturday Night Live, Mean Girls, and 30 Rock, while Johansson examines her movie and theater roles. Some information about their lives is provided, but both texts tend to fill space with over-long descriptions of each actress's projects along with critical reception. Many photos are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People to Know Today titles: Scarlett Johansson and Tina Fey.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| October, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3899-8$31.93 New ed. (2001)
(4)
4-6
Mythology Rocks! series.
Each of these volumes (revised and with slightly different titles--without "Rocks!") begins with a brief introduction to the title culture. Several myths important to that culture follow; a short question-and-answer section, along with "expert commentary," appears after each story. Stippled illustrations break up the dense texts but otherwise don't add much. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mythology Rocks! titles: African Mythology Rocks!, Celtic Mythology Rocks!, Chinese Mythology Rocks!, Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology Rock!, Maya and Aztec Mythology Rocks!, and Heroes in Greek Mythology Rock!
48 pp.
| Enslow
| October, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3871-4$23.93
(4)
4-6
Hot Celebrity Biographies series.
These adulatory biographies cover the rise to fame of some of today's most popular young stars in the music, television, and film industries. The high-interest texts, while superficial, are easy to read; sidebars provide trivia tidbits for fans. Ample publicity photographs and discographies or filmographies are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hot Celebrity Biographies titles: Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Robert Pattinson, Selena Gomez, Taylor Lautner, and Taylor Swift.
48 pp.
| Enslow
| October, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3872-1$23.93
(4)
4-6
Hot Celebrity Biographies series.
These adulatory biographies cover the rise to fame of some of today's most popular young stars in the music, television, and film industries. The high-interest texts, while superficial, are easy to read; sidebars provide trivia tidbits for fans. Ample publicity photographs and discographies or filmographies are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Hot Celebrity Biographies titles: Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Robert Pattinson, Selena Gomez, Taylor Lautner, and Taylor Swift.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| September, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3403-7$31.93
(4)
YA
Celebrities with Heart series.
These celebrity biographies reflect on the philanthropic efforts of famous people. Each volume focuses on its subject's rise to fame and fortune, beginning with childhood and not shying away from difficult situations (e.g., McGraw's biological father, Winfrey's rape). The stock photos and choppy texts aren't all that inspiring, but the stories are. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Celebrities with Heart titles: Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff, Oprah Winfrey, Adam Sandler, Angelina Jolie, and Tim McGraw.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| October, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3402-0$31.93
(4)
YA
Celebrities with Heart series.
These celebrity biographies reflect on the philanthropic efforts of famous people. Each volume focuses on its subject's rise to fame and fortune, beginning with childhood and not shying away from difficult situations (e.g., McGraw's biological father, Winfrey's rape). The stock photos and choppy texts aren't all that inspiring, but the stories are. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these Celebrities with Heart titles: Avril Lavigne, Hilary Duff, Oprah Winfrey, Adam Sandler, Angelina Jolie, and Tim McGraw.
160 pp.
| Enslow
| May, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3649-9$34.60 New ed. (2008)
(4)
YA
African-American Biography Library series.
This competent (if uninspired) biography presents information about President Obama's background, including his early interest in politics, then focuses on his later accomplishments. The formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes. This revised and expanded edition is updated through the 2009 inauguration; Sean "P. Diddy" Combs gets the last word ("...this is truly what America is, what America's about"). Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| May, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3021-3$31.93
(4)
4-6
Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series.
Archival photographs, a map, primary sources, and sidebars combine with a dry but informative text to provide a chronological biography of Thorpe, one of the early twentieth century's most talented athletes and famous Native Americans. This is a balanced presentation of Thorpe's strengths, weaknesses, ability to learn from and overcome personal and professional challenges, and his legacy. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| May, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3025-1$31.93
(4)
4-6
Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series.
Archival photographs, maps, primary sources, and sidebars combine with dry but informative texts to provide well-documented biographies of two American icons. These balanced titles successfully sort fact from fiction and demonstrate the passion and determination that established both Douglass's and Barnum's places in history. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Americans--The Spirit of a Nation titles: Frederick Douglass and P. T. Barnum.
112 pp.
| Enslow
| September, 2009
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-3026-8$31.93
(4)
YA
Rebels of Rock series.
These "unauthorized rockographies" take their subject matter seriously in a way that die-hard fans will appreciate but others may find distractingly overdramatic. Numerous quotes and detailed descriptions of each band's members, history, musical accomplishments, setbacks, and fan base are provided, in addition to captioned candid and publicity photos. Discographies are appended. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Rebels of Rock titles: Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and Led Zeppelin.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| March, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2891-3$31.93
(4)
YA
African-American Biography Library series.
These competent (if uninspired) biographies present information about their subjects' backgrounds and then focus in on their later accomplishments. Wells-Barnett describes her journalistic work on behalf of education, voting rights, and anti-lynching laws. Obama (which ends with his entry into the presidential race) highlights the candidate's early interest in politics. Formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Barack Obama.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| August, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2693-3$31.93
(4)
4-6
People to Know Today series.
These books profile well-known contemporary figures in business and popular culture. Each volume provides information about its subject's childhood; later career accomplishments are detailed in generally positive terms. Sidebars discuss such related topics as lawsuits and the savings and loan crisis. Stock photos accompany the dry but adequate treatments. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these People to Know Today titles: Sam Walton, Dr. Phil, and Bill Gates.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| June, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2700-8$31.93
(4)
YA
African-American Biography Library series.
These entries in the competent series trace the lives and contributions of outstanding personalities in the performing arts. Information in each title includes a well-balanced presentation of the trials and triumphs of the subject, fostered by social attitudes during his time. The text, though uninspired, is useful. Formulaic design includes photos, sidebars, and boxed quotes throughout each book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind. Review covers these African-American Biography Library titles: Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, and Louis Armstrong.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| April, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-2038-X$$20.95
(3)
4-6
United States Presidents series.
This useful biography covers the childhood, West Point years, and the military and Civil War career of the general, as well as his two terms as president, his family, his decline, and his legacy. Photographs and reproductions of source documents add historical interest, and anecdotes enhance readability. Addresses, reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.