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deschatjes's review against another edition
4.0
#nonfiction #biography
Fun set of biographies of famous authors. Humorous illustrations and the type of anecdotes about their young days that is likely to appeal to younger students. Stories highlight the ways in which they were independent thinkers or slightly quirky as children.
Fun set of biographies of famous authors. Humorous illustrations and the type of anecdotes about their young days that is likely to appeal to younger students. Stories highlight the ways in which they were independent thinkers or slightly quirky as children.
jnishi's review against another edition
4.0
I was given an ARC by Netgalley and publishers of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I adored this book! The writing was whimsical and kid friendly and the illustrations were funny and charming. I think we often see these great big authors like the ones David Stabler writes about in the book as so amazingly renowned and dignified we forget that, at some point, they were once kids and we all know that kids do ridiculously wonderful things. I am sure that this book and its stories it tells will inspire a new generation of amazing writers. I would definitely have this book in the classroom.
I adored this book! The writing was whimsical and kid friendly and the illustrations were funny and charming. I think we often see these great big authors like the ones David Stabler writes about in the book as so amazingly renowned and dignified we forget that, at some point, they were once kids and we all know that kids do ridiculously wonderful things. I am sure that this book and its stories it tells will inspire a new generation of amazing writers. I would definitely have this book in the classroom.
gmcuriousgeorge's review against another edition
4.0
Great insight into these great authors' childhoods
rainbowbookworm's review
5.0
Snapshots into the childhoods of favorite authors. This book made me smile, laugh aloud, and give mental high fives to the authors when relatable stories resonated with my own childhood. This will definitely have a place in my classroom library!
whitneymouse's review
3.0
I have conflicting feelings about this book. After further deliberation about the book, I decided to give it a 3 out of 5 stars.
While I applaud Stabler's writing style and work as a whole to make these kinds of stories accessible to young children, I'm not quite sure who his target audience is. The publisher's site says 8-12, but the writing may come off as pandering to a 12 year old and many of the authors will be ones an 8-10 year old hasn't read. For example, the first story is about J.R.R Tolkien, whose works are thick and probably too difficult for the average 3rd grader. Other authors I had this particular concern about were:
-Edgar Allan Poe
-Sherman Alexie
-Zora Neale Hurston
-Langston Hughes
-Mark Twain
-Jules Verne
I have questions about the authenticity of some stories and/or author's involvement in the story, as well. J.K. Rowling's story, while ultimately about bullying, comes off like she had some involvement in the story. Compared to some of the other stories, it's longer and more about her positive achievements, which seemed suspicious to me. I also question the choice to include Sherman Alexie. I'm sure he was chosen for Native American representation, however, the book is written in a way to imply certain things happen that are misleading (e.g. He got a scholarship to Gonzaga followed by he was the first in his family to finish college. He didn't graduate from Gonzaga. He dropped out and went someplace else, where he dropped out again 3 credits shy of his degree. He was given a degree by the second college 3 years later). Additionally, it mentions he's won many awards (which is true), but doesn't make mention that he had both his Carnegie Medal and AILA award rescinded due to sexual harassment allegations. I'm not sure that is a choice of author I would include, especially considering his most popular book would be an inappropriate choice for MOST children of the target demographic.
Another small issue I had (although it didn't hinder my enjoyment of this story) was the illustrations for Stan Lee's chapter had him saying "Excelsior!" which he is known for saying, but with no explanation for WHY he says that. If the child reading is unfamiliar with Stan Lee, this may lead to inquiry needs for the child. This is true of a few other similar small details in other chapters, as well. Inquiry is never a bad thing, but it is something a librarian, teacher, or parent may want to be aware of so they are prepared to help the child with that need.
The illustrations are beautiful and add to the story. I found myself really studying and appreciating the illustrations.
Many of the stories had repetitive themes (poverty, academic issues, etc.). In general, though, the sense that "authors are just like you" was very prevalent in this book and may help children to relate better to authors who are seen as legendary.
Lastly, to be a little nitpicky, I would have liked for the diverse choices to be more focused on modern day authors children are more likely to have read. The ones chosen were Langston Hughes, Sherman Alexie, and Zora Neale Hurston. I've already outlined my issues with Alexie as a choice, and while I acknowledge that Hurston and Hughes were both important and incredibly influential, it is unlikely a child this age would have read Their Eyes Were Watching God or many of Hughes' poems. I would have liked to see someone like Jaqueline Woodson or Linda Sue Park highlighted (authors of color who actually write for this demographic).
All in all, I think it is well written, has appealing illustrations, and had a good idea in general. However, I feel this is a bit misguided for the target demographic and that it is perhaps best used as a teacher resource to help introduce certain authors.
While I applaud Stabler's writing style and work as a whole to make these kinds of stories accessible to young children, I'm not quite sure who his target audience is. The publisher's site says 8-12, but the writing may come off as pandering to a 12 year old and many of the authors will be ones an 8-10 year old hasn't read. For example, the first story is about J.R.R Tolkien, whose works are thick and probably too difficult for the average 3rd grader. Other authors I had this particular concern about were:
-Edgar Allan Poe
-Sherman Alexie
-Zora Neale Hurston
-Langston Hughes
-Mark Twain
-Jules Verne
I have questions about the authenticity of some stories and/or author's involvement in the story, as well. J.K. Rowling's story, while ultimately about bullying, comes off like she had some involvement in the story. Compared to some of the other stories, it's longer and more about her positive achievements, which seemed suspicious to me. I also question the choice to include Sherman Alexie. I'm sure he was chosen for Native American representation, however, the book is written in a way to imply certain things happen that are misleading (e.g. He got a scholarship to Gonzaga followed by he was the first in his family to finish college. He didn't graduate from Gonzaga. He dropped out and went someplace else, where he dropped out again 3 credits shy of his degree. He was given a degree by the second college 3 years later). Additionally, it mentions he's won many awards (which is true), but doesn't make mention that he had both his Carnegie Medal and AILA award rescinded due to sexual harassment allegations. I'm not sure that is a choice of author I would include, especially considering his most popular book would be an inappropriate choice for MOST children of the target demographic.
Another small issue I had (although it didn't hinder my enjoyment of this story) was the illustrations for Stan Lee's chapter had him saying "Excelsior!" which he is known for saying, but with no explanation for WHY he says that. If the child reading is unfamiliar with Stan Lee, this may lead to inquiry needs for the child. This is true of a few other similar small details in other chapters, as well. Inquiry is never a bad thing, but it is something a librarian, teacher, or parent may want to be aware of so they are prepared to help the child with that need.
The illustrations are beautiful and add to the story. I found myself really studying and appreciating the illustrations.
Many of the stories had repetitive themes (poverty, academic issues, etc.). In general, though, the sense that "authors are just like you" was very prevalent in this book and may help children to relate better to authors who are seen as legendary.
Lastly, to be a little nitpicky, I would have liked for the diverse choices to be more focused on modern day authors children are more likely to have read. The ones chosen were Langston Hughes, Sherman Alexie, and Zora Neale Hurston. I've already outlined my issues with Alexie as a choice, and while I acknowledge that Hurston and Hughes were both important and incredibly influential, it is unlikely a child this age would have read Their Eyes Were Watching God or many of Hughes' poems. I would have liked to see someone like Jaqueline Woodson or Linda Sue Park highlighted (authors of color who actually write for this demographic).
All in all, I think it is well written, has appealing illustrations, and had a good idea in general. However, I feel this is a bit misguided for the target demographic and that it is perhaps best used as a teacher resource to help introduce certain authors.
hamckeon's review against another edition
5.0
This book is fantastic! The illustrations are awesome and the true stories are very interesting and fun.
sqeeker's review against another edition
4.0
- I loved learning more about several great authors. I learned so much about each one.
- I loved that their childhood experiences influenced their books so much.
- I found it very interesting that most of these authors were bullied as children, and they loved to read. I'd love to see a study on the relationship between being bullied and reading, and how many of these kids become authors or enjoy writing.
- I would love to read another Kid Authors book with different authors. I want to know more!
- I loved that their childhood experiences influenced their books so much.
- I found it very interesting that most of these authors were bullied as children, and they loved to read. I'd love to see a study on the relationship between being bullied and reading, and how many of these kids become authors or enjoy writing.
- I would love to read another Kid Authors book with different authors. I want to know more!
alisonwonderland823's review against another edition
5.0
This series has proven that the childhood of famous people are too often overlooked and not mined for their potential for fascinating stories. Our experiences as children shape us, and that is clear in these stories.
I also love the illustrations. :)
I also love the illustrations. :)
maeve_littooij's review against another edition
4.0
A great and funny book about authors. I think kids that are interested in reading and writing would really enjoy it. It's also fun to read as an adult.
amyreadsbooks917's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great collection of stories from the childhoods of famous authors. I loved reading these vignettes from the lives of authors that I love and authors that I know my students love, too. The stories are written with just enough embellishment that they're exciting and entertaining, and I was very pleased with how inspirational as well as entertaining many of the stories were.
This would be great to use in a classroom as part of an author study, or just to read through to discuss themes of perseverance. I definitely plan to share some of these stories at the beginning of the year to direct my students to some authors they may not have tried before.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This would be great to use in a classroom as part of an author study, or just to read through to discuss themes of perseverance. I definitely plan to share some of these stories at the beginning of the year to direct my students to some authors they may not have tried before.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.