Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

April 1, 2010
Gr 7-9-Real events characterized by danger and excitement introduce readers to each individuals character. The rush of literary adrenalin will hook readers immediately and keep them enthralled until the end. While the authors cover biographical basics like birth, education, marriage, and so on, most of the content revolves around how the subjects met the challenges of military life, especially during times of war. Given the dynamic topic of the series and each volumes appealing layout (wide margins, short paragraphs, large illustrations), these books are likely to attract reluctant readers. In addition, sources are plentiful and well-documented, making the titles suitable for research projects. Other material is available on these subjects, but this series is noteworthy for its accessible writing, appealing layout, and high-interest history.

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2011
Grades 6-9 *Starred Review* Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was an American hero, and this attractive Essential Library volume does an excellent job of introducing him as well as the times that shaped him. Davis first saw an airplane in 1926, and from then on, he knew that he wanted to fly. But even though his father was a well-regarded member of the U.S. military, Davis still encountered many obstacles as he made his way through West Point and then as leader of the U.S. Army Air Force African American flying unit, the Ninety-Ninth Squadron. Most of the challenges came in the form of racial discriminationacademic, social, and professional. Readers will get a real sense of what a trailblazer Davis was, while boys especially will find the war efforts of the Tuskegee Airmen exciting. Fascinating sidebars cover everything from segregation to Roosevelts objectives in WWII to the executive order integrating the armed services. The last part of Davis career, in civilian public service, loses a bit of steam, but overall, this is a well-written, well-designed (dappled borders add to the effect) book with plenty of black-and-white photographs to add interest. A time line, source notes, and additional web and print resources round out this title in the Military Heroes series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2010
Filled with photographs and archival illustrations, this series presents a range of famous and lesser-known people involved in U.S. military history. In addition to standard biographical details, the texts also examine controversies and career flops as well as successes; sidebars provide historical context. Though the writing is on the bland side, the texts are useful for reports. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)