|
|
| . |
Books: Biographies
Biographies allow young readers to
explore the lives of other people and the times in which they
lived---in a small way, to walk in the shoes of another person. The
best biographies present characters honestly, showing both their
strengths and their frailties. They do not resort to negative
stereotyping based on gender, race, ethnicity, or physical ability.
Although the historical setting and the style in which the book is
written are important, the primary focus of a biography must be on its
subject and the people who influenced him or her. -- Source
Lawlor's research into the lives of her
subjects takes her into libraries where she immerses herself in sources
about her subject. Along the way she reads primary material, studies
the work of earlier historians and synthesizes the information. What
emerges from Lawlor's research is a well-researched, well-written
manuscript which draws young readers into the lives of the subject.
Commenting about Daniel Boone, Booklist said, "...this is as solidly researched and dynamic as children's biography should be ... ." Smithsonian called Shadow Catcher "a magnificent biography" and School Library Journal commented about the fact that the biography was "carefully researched, highly readable."
|