Sapet, Kerrily. Suzanne Collins.

Sapet, Kerrily.  Suzanne Collins.   Morgan Reynolds   2013  112p  $28.95  978-1-59935-346-3       series: World Writers #7      ms/hs       VG-BNS

     

This biography provides an account of both the professional and personal life of Suzanne Collins, author of the acclaimed Hunger Games and Gregor the Overlander series.  Collins grew up as the daughter of a career Air Force officer.  Her childhood was strongly molded by the various military posts on which the family lived and her father’s time of service in Vietnam, and these themes are reflected in her writings.  Through interviews and first-person accounts, the book carefully describes the effect that her childhood had on her career and discusses her education, her brief stint as an actor, her early work as a writer for both adult and children’s television series, and her entry into the world of YA books with her first Gregor book.  The writing is interesting, clear, and informative, and it is presented in an entertaining manner.  The biography also gives detailed and helpful tidbits about the characters and the plots of her books and is enhanced by full-color photographs of the author and the actors in the movies.  The book ends with a timeline, source notes, an extensive bibliography, and an index.  It is sure to appeal to fans of Collins.  

World Writers’ newest additions include books about Suzanne Collins, Harper Lee, and Rick Riordan among its sixteen titles.  Each provides an account of the personal and professional life of the writer and allows readers to grasp the themes and deeper meanings treated by some of their favorite authors.

Suzanne Collins                                             --Susan Ogintz

Hamilton, Janet C.S. Lewis: Twentieth Century Pilgrim

Hamilton, Janet C.S. Lewis: Twentieth Century Pilgrim
Morgan Reynolds 2010 128p 28.95
978-1-59935-112-4 jr/sr Authors- biography E-BN


This book is an excellent retelling of the life of C.S. Lewis who has left a legacy in his writing: “books that have instructed, provoked, and enchanted people for many decades and continue to reach new readers today.”
The reader will gain an understanding of the man behind the stories many of us have read and reread over the years. His activities and beliefs will become evident to readers helping them to further understand Lewis’ writings with more depth.
I have often wondered why there had not been any movies, etc of Lewis’ books. This question was answered when I read that the managers of The Lewis Estate resisted selling film rights until 2005 when Walden Media produced The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The format and text “are designed to entice with photographs as well as educate”. I would have liked to have a few more photographs of the colleges and the author himself.The inclusion of where to obtain more information, timeline, and an index make this a useful research tool. McNeil, Linda

Parker-Rock, Michelle. Joseph Bruchac.

Parker-Rock, Michelle. Joseph Bruchac.
Enslow 2009 48p 23.93 978-0-7660-3160-9 elm/msAuthors Kids Love(Enslow)
“Explores the life of author Joseph Bruchac, discussing his childhood and early career, his many books for kids, and tips he has for young, aspiring writers.” Elementary and middle school students who need to find out information on writer Joseph Bruchac will find this title helpful. Written in a story-like fashion, readers are presented with Bruchac’s upbringing and of his Indian heritage. Information on his childhood in New York is addressed, along with early career choices leading up to his career as a writer. Bruchac’s love of animals and nature are discussed, as these elements inspired him as a writer. High school and college information are presented for readers to gain an insight into Bruchac’s early writing style as a poet and writer than just a naturalist. Bruchac’s marriage to Carol and of their children are presented in simple words. Much of his work reflects his knowledge of Native American culture. Since Bruchac saw Indians portrayed wrongly in the movies as a child and growing up, he believes in thoroughly researching other cultures before writing about them. Much of Bruchac’s writing details Native ancestry. While writing for a new piece is important, editing and proofreading a piece is just as important. Bruchac uses his wife Carol to edit and provide suggestions for his writing. Includes color photographs, book facts, a list of published books by Bruchac, words to know, recommended books and web sites for further information, and a comprehensive index. Forba-Mayer,Charleen

Albert, Lisa Rondinelli. Stephenie Meyer.

Albert, Lisa Rondinelli. Stephenie Meyer.
Enslow 2009 112p 31.93 978-0-7660-3584-3 ms/hs
Authors Teen's Love (Enslow)

An in-depth accounting of the author of the recently published Twilight Saga. Stephenie Meyer has proved to be a fresh breath to young readers. Readers will find answers to their questions between the covers of this book. Meyer’s life before Twilight was that of an English teacher and SuperMom with two small boys. It was just ordinary in most respects. As a child she always liked to watch Saturday morning cartoons where she favored the X-men. She was always an avid storyteller. Many times she would find herself telling herself stories that she had made up for one reason or another.
Then one night she had a dream in which she dreamed of this scene where an average teenage girl was walking in a meadow with a butterscotch eyed vampire. Upon wakening she went to her computer and wrote out the story before her family awoke. Thus began the Twilight Saga.
Stephenie’s dramatic rise to successful writer will full the hearts of many new authors and give them hope. International fame earned so rapidly is certainly something that constantly awes Stephanie.

The inclusion of chronology, chapter notes, several lists, where to obtain more information and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool. The inclusion of web sites for youngsters is also important in school classrooms today.
The flow and balance of both the text and full color visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers. LM

Lois DUncan by Kimberly Campbell

Campbell, Kimberly. Lois Duncan.
Enslow, 2009, 104p, $31.93, 978-07660-2963-7.

This book covers the story of Lois Duncan’s writing career. It shows how Lois turns her life’s challenges into stories that everyone will enjoy reading.
The author has written an easy to read book for young readers that will certainly keep their attention and present the factual details on the career of a well-known author, Lois Duncan. The factual details are interestingly presented as well as informative and educational.

The inclusion of chronology, chapter notes, several lists, where to obtain more information and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool. The inclusion of web sites for youngsters is also important in school classrooms today.
The flow and balance of both the text and full color visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers.
I found it extremely interesting that a neighbor (McKinlay Kantor) informed her at the age of 13 that her writing was pure trash. He then went on to give her advice about how to succeed. She took this advice as well as the knowledge she gained from her photographer parents and went on to become a renowned novelist.
This book is one in the Authors Teens Love series. The series consists of 16 books at this time. The general theme of the series is about noteworthy authors. LM

Bruce Coville: An Author Kids Love

Parker-Rock, Michelle. Bruce Coville: An Author Kids Love.
Enslow, 2008. 48p $23.93 978-0-7660-2755-8
Authors Kids Love series

Presents the life of Bruce Coville, who is best known for his books for elementary students. Those who influenced him, his childhood, his writing style, and family life are covered in a way to make students understand the writing process. For grades 4+ .
Bruce Coville is a prolific writer of books mainly geared to elementary school students. Parker-Rock takes portions of an interview with Coville and writes a solid book that chronicles Coville’s childhood, the reasons he became a writer, his family life, and those who influenced him in his writing. Longer passages from the interview with Coville are highlighted in green so students readily can pick out direct quotes. She includes quirky events from Coville’s life such as his job working digging graves at a cemetery. His many life experiences have been used as a basis for the books he writes especially those experiences during his time spent teaching. Students will see that writing is a process that draws on personal experience and can be done by almost anyone who wishes to express themselves and see his ideas come to life. Coville admits that writing is not always done when inspiration strikes but is a consistent activity for him where he takes an idea, writes about it and revises it often prior to the final edition. Students can almost envision his office area in his house because of the excellent description by Parker-Rock. Book Fact sidebars provide insight into the literary life of Coville from his childhood through his writing career. The cover is colorful with a photograph of Coville standing in front of a bookshelf with the numerous books he has written. The table of contents is attractively laid out with chapter titles and photographs from Coville’s life. A bibliography of all titles written by Coville is arranged by series or age level. There is also a chart of his award winning titles. A glossary (some words are italicized in the text, some are not), further reading and index complete the book. A well-rounded biography of Coville that will give insight into the writing process for young people.
Authors Kids Love contains three new titles that are based on interviews. Direct quotations give students a flavor of the writer, his/her lifestyle, people who influenced them, and facts about the writing process. Easy reading for fans of the author’s work. For grades 4 and up. LMN

Lois Lowry: The Giver of Stories and Memories.

Albert, Lisa Rondinelli. Lois Lowry: The Giver of Stories and Memories.
Enslow, 2007. $31.93 128p 978-0-7660-2722-0

This book allows the reader an insight into a popular author. Lois Lowry has written many books, including two Newbery winners. Her most popular, The Giver and Number of the Stars, are covered in this book.
Lisa Rondinelli Albert has created an easy to read book for young readers that will inform the readers about the life and books of Lois Lowry. The factual details are interestingly presented as well as informative and educational.
The inclusion of several lists, where to obtain more information and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool. The inclusion of web sites for youngsters is also important in school classrooms today.
The flow and balance of both the text and full color visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers.
This book is one in the _Authors Teens Love____ series. The series consists of __4_ books at this time. The general theme of the series is __teenage authors_____.
This is a very well written book that will relate well to many young readers. It is recommended as a basic book for any middle or junior high school library. LM

Tortured Noble: the Story of Leo Tolstoy

Heims, Neil. Tortured Noble: the Story of Leo Tolstoy.
Morgan Reynolds, 2007. 144p. $27.95
978-1-5993-5066-0
World Writer's series

For students looking to connect an author’s life with his fictional characters, Heims presents the personal struggles of Tolstoy. From his gambling and sense of self-loathing to his gentry lifestyle as an owner of an estate and considerable acreage, Tolstoy used every personal experience to better understand and portray his fictional characters. The social and political viewpoints that appear in Tolstoy’s writings come from his noble heritage laced with a desire to understand and work with the peasants on his estate. His desire to provide education to children, especially peasants, was a constant in his life. The activities he engaged in, including dressing as a peasant to determine reactions to them and their lifestyle and his desire to lead a life of ascetic purity, allowed him to write with authenticity about the thoughts and feelings of all manner of people.
Students will gain an understanding of the forces that drove Tolstoy and see the connection between Tolstoy’s beliefs and his novels. A timeline, index, footnotes, and bibliography make the information in this book easily accessible to the student researcher. Photographs, paintings, and primary source material are interspersed within the text. Fascinating reading about a giant among authors. LMN

Authors Teen's Love

Authors Teen’s Love by various authors
Publisher:Enslow, 2006, 104p, $31.90
Highly recommended for middle school or high school. There are currently 11 titles in the series. Engaging reading for the fans of each author's books. Each book includes many good color and black and white photos, a section of quotes from their books, a chronology, extensive chapter notes, glossary, selected works and awards, further reading, and an index. Besides chronicling the events in the author's life, the series also gives some beginning literary criticism.
Titles in this excellent Authors Teen’s Love series for 2006 include:
Reichard, Susan E. Philip Pullman
Reed, Jennifer Paula Danzinger: Voice of Teen Troubles
Houle, Michelle M. Roald Dahl
Willett, Edward Orson Scott Card: Architect of Alternate Worlds
Website: http://enslow.com/catalog.asp?Exact=true&SeriesID=158