Cornel West

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-These biographies highlight individuals who are all authors, teachers, and public speakers. The writing is clear and accessible, and includes quote boxes that allow readers to hear the subject's own views on various topics. Morrison is the strongest of the three and follows the Nobel Prize winner from her childhood through to the present day. West includes fewer personal details and is, in fact, somewhat confusing as it mentions one marriage and then another nearly 20 years later without any bridging information. There is also a good deal of space given to people whom West admires rather than to his own work. Gates does a nice job of describing the Harvard professor's less popular decisions as well as his universally praised work in African-American studies. Unfortunately, all three titles are lacking bibliographies or source notes. However, plentiful black-and-white and full-color photographs, readable texts, and an inviting layout make these biographies acceptable choices for report writers and interested browsers.-Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Library, UT Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.