Lives of the Presidents

Gr 4—8—This new edition is sure to be even more popular than the original title (Harcourt, 1998) as it includes Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who are given the same cheeky-but-respectful treatment as their predecessors. Bush's entry is particularly irreverent—the DUI charge, choking on pretzels, and his "Bushisms" are all fair game. However, Krull skirts around the controversial 2000 election. She provides further information on ex-Presidential activity since 1998, such as Jimmy Carter's Nobel Prize, Ronald Reagan's passing, and the Clintons' post-White House work. All other entries and art are virtually unaltered. Guaranteed to inject some levity into the ubiquitous presidential biography assignment, the 2011 Lives of the Presidents is a must-have for elementary schools and public libraries.—Rebecca Dash Donsky, New York Public Library