"The Lifeline Biographies series, which is produced with access to USA Today's archives, does a fantastic job of creating biographies that are both informative and eye-catching. Moreover, their subjects are of substantial interest to today's kids. Even young readers with little interest in car racing will be caught up in the story behind Danica Patrick. By age 10, Patrick was involved with go-kart racing; two years later, she was a champion. From there she moved on to auto racing, and in 2005, she came in fourth at the Indy 500. This involving story does more than recount the high times. Teammates are killed, loyalties switch, and personal criticism is a fact of life in the limelight. Stephenie Meyer, profiling the author of the Twilight series, will certainly attract readers.

The fascinating story of where Meyer's initial idea came from (a dream) will intrigue, while the twists and turns in took to get the first book published should be edifying. In a nice bit of balance, the book gives Meyer's critics a voice, too. The story told in Tupac Shakur will be inspirational for some and a cautionary tale for others. Born into poverty, Shakur became one of hip-hop's biggest stars. But even as he climbed up the ladder of success, drugs and violence were always there to pull him back down. 'In Focus' sidebars, pertinent articles from USA Today, source notes, and great graphics all help make this series a standout." --Booklist.