John F. Kennedy

October 1, 2001
Gr 2-5-These biographies include all the basic facts that most students need for reports, but they do not bring the subjects to life. The writing is dry, and there is no more information here than can be found in a collective biography or encyclopedia. Also, the books do not give readers a sense of American life during the mid-20th century. Kennedy is worse than King. Once JFK has entered politics, the chronology jumps around and is difficult to follow. There are statements that are not quite right but not totally wrong-and it seems inappropriate to say that the president was murdered, instead of assassinated. On the other hand, King offers some sense of the man and his desire and hopes for an end to racism. Both books are full of mainly black-and-white photographs-many of them well known and representative of the men; others do not seem to have a point. The glossaries have an odd assortment of words-"college," "minister," "elected," "Peace Corps," etc. Barely serviceable additions.-Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.