The lives and accomplishments of people who have been forgotten to history are presented in these four volumes. While Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were making headlines for walking on the moon, Michael Collins was flying the command module and ensuring their safety. Barbara Rose Johns initiated a strike in her segregated high school that precipitated Brown v. Board of Education. Charlotta Spears Bass was the first Black woman to run for vice president of the United States. Before Harriet Tubman gained fame as a conductor of the Underground Railroad, John P. Parker was bringing escaped slaves to Ohio. The emphasis in each title is on the important historical events, with only basic personal data such as birthdates, marriages, and a brief synopsis of their later lives included. The authors employ direct prose, and the narratives are accompanied by photographs and illustrations. VERDICT Informative and enlightening, these volumes will be of value to broader collections attempting to cover more than just well-known figures and should be considered for purchase.

Before Cesar Chavez and Rosa Parks, there were Larry Itliong and Sarah Keys Evans. These are two of the civil rights pioneers spotlighted in this series of unsung heroes who fought against unfair labor practices, racist transportation policies, school segregation, and, in the case of Sarah Keys Evans, used her wealth to create new opportunities for marginalized communities. While their stories failed to capture the attention of mainstream history books, their contributions led to later, greater achievements. This series helps place the well-known civil rights victories in a larger narrative, broken up by large images and text boxes with interesting facts. Each book includes a glossary, an index, and further reading. VERDICT Civil rights victories didn’t come easily, and this series helps young readers understand that. Recommended.

Born in 1869, Annie Turnbo Malone experimented with hair-care formulas and invented new products, which she sold door-to-door to other Black women. She moved the business, named Poro, from Illinois to Missouri two years before the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where many new customers discovered Poro products. The company grew dramatically, creating lucrative jobs for Black women. Malone became wealthy and gave generously to help people in need within Black communities. Madam C. J. Walker, whose hair-care career followed a similar trajectory, began as a Poro agent. The biographical narrative is very readable and concise while bringing in enough information to help readers understand its historical context. Vintage photos appear throughout the book. A strong choice for the First but Forgotten series (4 titles), which introduces historical figures worth knowing.