When our son was in grade school and middle school, it was often a challenge to find something he would actually sit down to read. The secret formula seemed to be non-fiction, lots of pictures, natural disasters with some believe-it-or-not thrown in for good measure. So recently when my 96 year-old Father-in-law came for a visit and needed something to occupy him while my husband and I were at work, I turned to my formula and found “Extraordinary people : a semi-comprehensive guide to some of the world’s most fascinating individuals”. It features one-page articles on famous (or infamous) people with quick facts and photos that compel the reader to learn more without being overwhelmed. In it you’ll find captivating, sometimes humorous biographies on individuals like Evil Knievel, Harry Houdini, George Plimpton, Marie Curie and even Larry Walters, the man made famous by using 40 helium balloons and a lawn chair to carry himself into the sky! With 50 historical and contemporary figures to choose from, there is something for everyone. And how did I know I picked the right book for my Father-in-law?? He was at the kitchen table reading it when I came home from work and began telling me about some of the biographies he had read that day! Now that’s what I call a Reader’s Advisory success!