John Steinbeck

January 1, 2008
Gr 7 Up-This compact biography makes excellent connections between the themes of social and economic justice found in Steinbeck's work and the changes that were occurring in America around the time of the Depression. Meltzer explains that though this complicated and somewhat withdrawn man endured many problems in his personal life, he became an advocate for the poor and mistreated. He also details how Steinbeck's strong relationships with displaced farmers and other migrant workers forced to live in gruesome conditions eventually inspired him to write "The Grapes of Wrath". Teens may be surprised to learn that this work led to accusations of Steinbeck being a communist and to death threats. Meltzer's language is concise and easy to understand, and powerful excerpts from Steinbeck's work are integrated throughout. A dozen or so small, black-and-white photographs of Steinbeck at different stages of his life are included. This short, appealing, and authoritative work is a great pick for biography collections."Emily Anne Valente, New York Public Library"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2008
Throughout this entry in the Up Close biography series, distinguishedhistorianMeltzer mines journals, correspondence, andcritics reviewsto illuminatethe controversial Nobel Prize winnerslife, a mad mixture of the greatest praise and the most scurrilous abuse. As in other titles in the series, the book features occasional black-and-white photos, and the narrative extends intriguingly intoits subjectstroubled personal life. In this case, many assertions (aboutoneviolent drunken rage, for instance) would have benefited frombetter sourcing, which is limited here to a bibliography and citations for quotes. GivenMeltzers terse plot summaries and his stinting inclusion of excerpts, fewnewcomers to Steinbeckwill be led from this treatment tothe works themselves, collected in a concluding list. As supplemental reading, however, the strong historical perspective Meltzer offers, especiallyabout the novels characteristic California and Depression backdrops, will enhanceappreciation of any of Steinbecks frequently assigned titles, from The Red Pony(1937)to The Grapes of Wrath (1939).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)