Category: Biography

The Longest Shot by Chad Soon and George Chiang, illus. Amy Qi

July 25, 2024

The Longest Shot uses tools to make its occasionally heavy information easily digestible. Soon and Chiang wisely split Larry’s life story into eight shorter sections, giving the chapters titles based on their contents. I found this format helpful for divvying up reading time and seeing what might come next in Larry’s life. The two authors also collaborated with illustrator Amy Qi to bring life to Larry’s story. Qi’s vibrant images draw the eye to key moments in Larry’s life, reaffirming them in the reader’s mind. … More The Longest Shot by Chad Soon and George Chiang, illus. Amy Qi

Flying Paintings cover

Flying Paintings: The Zhou Brothers: A Story of Revolution and Art by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by ShanZuo Zhou and DaHuang Zhou

November 11, 2021

Review by Claudine Yip

Who says real life can’t hold as many fantasies as fiction? A family of dreamers lies at the core of this biographical picture book. … More Flying Paintings: The Zhou Brothers: A Story of Revolution and Art by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by ShanZuo Zhou and DaHuang Zhou

Alphamaniacs: Builders of 26 Wonders of the Word by Paul Fleischman, Illus. by Melissa Sweet

October 12, 2021

Review by Logaine Navascués

magine a circus where words are the most exotic animal. A space where writers play with language to perform bizarre tricks and tame it into unusual yet sophisticated forms. Welcome to Alphamaniacs, a collection of mini biographies of 26 outstanding storytellers who found their own, unique ways of writing with wit and creativity.   … More Alphamaniacs: Builders of 26 Wonders of the Word by Paul Fleischman, Illus. by Melissa Sweet

Playlist: The Rebels and Revolutionaries of Sound by James Rhodes, Illus. by Martin O’Neill

April 13, 2021

Review by Louise Brecht

James Rhodes’ Playlist: The Rebels and Revolutionaries of Sound is a spellbinding introduction to the rock star composers of the classical music era(s). Cleverly crafted to resonate with teen readers unfamiliar with this genre, its message that our current tunesmiths are born from classical roots is potent for lapsed fans or music aficionados, regardless of age. … More Playlist: The Rebels and Revolutionaries of Sound by James Rhodes, Illus. by Martin O’Neill

Ocean Speaks: Marie Tharp and the Map that Moved the Earth by Jess Keating, Illus. by Katie Hickey

June 25, 2020

Review by Logaine Navascués

The ocean is a big blue mystery and Marie wants to unravel it. She is used to investigating the countryside with her father, but the sea is different: she can hear it calling, although she still cannot understand what it says. … More Ocean Speaks: Marie Tharp and the Map that Moved the Earth by Jess Keating, Illus. by Katie Hickey