November 1, 2018
Gr 2-5-How did some of today's most well-respected personalities rise to fame? This series celebrates influential figures, focusing on their greater professional legacy, including, in some cases, their contributions to social and racial justice. Authors cover the basics, including heritage and the obstacles that subjects overcame to achieve their dreams. Full-color photographs are interspersed with playful, doodlelike illustrations, and trivia blurbs are featured on each page. Notably, suggested activities are featured in each book. VERDICT This versatile biography set is a fine choice for middle grade readers.
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
December 1, 2018
Grades 2-5 A smiling face on the cover welcomes kids to each slender volume in the Influential People series (8 titles). Designed to attract a broad age range of readers, the books provide basic biographical information that is accessible to primary-grade readers and older students with lower reading levels. Few double-page spreads include more than a couple of paragraphs, and the sentences are seldom more than 10 words long, which can make the writing sound stilted at times. The two-page spreads usually feature a large, color photo of the person discussed, along with captions and colorful design elements. Lin-Manuel Miranda provides information on Miranda's career in writing and acting; his breakout hit musical Hamilton; and his work to raise money for immigrants and, after Hurricane Maria, residents of Puerto Rico. A series of short biographical introductions to noteworthy people.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)