This publication presents biographical profiles of people of interest to young readers. The concept is unique in that the subjects profiled are not necessarily people of great or lasting stature. Many are noted writers or public figures who have made important contributions to the current world, but a goodly number of entries are biographies of modern sports heroes and entertainment personalities. These have been included in direct response to the interests of the young. Each biography has a light and very personal touch. Terms and concepts that might have no meaning to young people are explained, often in detail so as not to assume a great deal of background knowledge. Each issue contains 15-20 sketches arranged alphabetically. Each entry contains at least one picture of the individual profiled and includes information on birth, youth, early memories, education, first jobs, marriage and family, career highlights, memorable experiences, hobbies, and honors and awards. Obituary entries also are included, written to provide a perspective on the individual's entire career. Obituaries are clearly marked in both the table of contents and at the beginning of the entry. To provide easy access to entries, each issue contains a name index, a general index covering occupations, organizations, and ethnic and minority origins, a places of birth index, and a birthday index. Persons included in the seven issues making up volumes one and two include entertainers such as Paula Abdul, Kirstie Alley, Gloria Estefan, and Roseann Arnold; ballerina Darci Kistler; singers ranging from opera singer Kathleen Battle to k. d. lang; cartoonist Cathy Guisewite; actors Jasmine Guy, Denzel Washington, Sara Gilbert, Winona Ryder, and Candice Bergen; sports figures such as Larry Bird, Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson, Kristi Yamaguchi, Andre Agassi; Arthur Ashe, Dan Marino, Shaquille O'Neal, and Martina Navratilova; world leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev, George Bush, Boris Yeltsin, Bill Clinton, Albert Gore, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Cesar Chavez; and other public figures such as Janet Reno, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Princess Diana, H. Ross Perot, Clarence Thomas, Gloria Steinem, Sally Ride, and Mae Jemison. (DK)