Jesse Jackson

School Library Journal

Gr 2-5Children often enjoy reading about contemporary figures they have seen or heard about in the news. These books, however, have a few problems. Readers who prefer a straightforward approach to biography are likely to find the tone patronizing. However, the most glaring error is the use of photographs of Apple computers with captions describing Bill Gates's work with IBM-compatible PCs. The opening chapter of each title is addressed directly to readers, with obvious inferences stated directly. Children are told that Bill Gates got straight As in school without ever taking a book home and also that, "Bill was very smart." Jesse Jackson begins, "What would you do if you thought you were being treated unfairly at home or in school?" and continues with a discussion about what "you" might do. The thin volumes are divided into several short chapters, and most of the two-page spreads have color or black-and-white photographs. Boxes highlight important vocabulary or related concepts. The type is large and there is plenty of white space. While attractive, these offerings are marginal at best.Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN