(3) YA Shelley's reputation as the author of the classic novel Frankenstein--written when she was just twenty years old--has eclipsed the scandal and heartbreak that accompanied her romance, marriage, and childbearing with Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Reef (Jane Austen; The Brontë Sisters) chronicles Shelley's life capably, including commentary, primary source quotes, and black-and-white paintings and photographs throughout. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt

(2) YA A vivid portrait of the feisty British monarch who ruled for over sixty years. Reef dexterously shows not only Victoria's development as a person but also her evolution as a ruler within the social and political upheavals of her time, elegantly layering in details to provide a broader view of the era. Primary source material and spectacular reproductions in full color appear throughout. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Monica Edinger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2018

(2) YA Reef brings her keen eye for character to the "Lady with the Lamp." At a time when a woman was expected to "[obey] her husband," Florence Nightingale acquiesced to no one, finding meaning in her work and advancing the nursing profession like few before or since. Making fine use of primary sources, Reef paints a complete picture of the complex woman. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(2) YA Noah Webster (1758–1843) has a passion for words but cannot seem to find a vocation. He tries teaching, lawyering, lecturing, publishing, and writing. Late in life he finally settles down to complete his dictionary, drawing on his passion for language as well as his belief that a common American language will unite the country. Historical background gives context to this cradle-to-grave biography. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(4) YA In 1922 when famous artist Diego Rivera was hired to paint a mural in Mexico City's National Preparatory School, he met a mischievous high-school girl named Frida Kahlo. They married years later, but their relationship was not easy. Too few reproductions of Rivera's and Kahlo's art are included in the main photo-essay text; a gallery of their work is appended. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider

(4) YA Legendary African Americans series. These biographies, originally published under slightly different titles in the African-American Biographies series, dutifully (and somewhat dully) report on their subjects' lives, accomplishments, and struggles, placing them within their historical time period. Unfortunately, almost all of the black-and-white photographs have been removed in these new editions, making for dense, uninspired packages. Reading list, timeline. Ind. Review covers these Legendary African Americans titles: The Life of Carter G. Woodson, The Life of Paul Laurence Dunbar, The Life of Harriet Tubman, and The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr..

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) YA Modern Music Masters series. These biographies exemplify the diversity and genius of recent American music icons. Brown's compelling story is set in the context of 1960s civil rights struggles and the Vietnam War, while Bernstein's chronicles the development of his whole-body conducting style and rise to international fame amid equally illustrious influences. The books' design, which includes many black-and-white photos, is drab. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern Music Masters titles: Proud and Leonard Berstein and American Music.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(2) YA This thorough biography of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë chronicles their individual personalities and how early experiences with their surroundings, family, schools, and teaching had profound influences on their writing. Reef quotes her subjects' own diary entries, poems, and stories in addition to relying on other primary sources, historical information, and descriptions of the Brontës' work. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2012

(2) YA Reef combines firsthand accounts of Austen written by relatives and friends, facts about late-1700s Britain, and Austen's own novels and surviving letters, highlighting the connections between Austen's works and her life. For devout Janeites it's fascinating to see all this information combined, and for others it's a worthwhile introduction. A family tree, notes, and a list of Austen's works are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2011

(2) YA Reef demonstrates the connection between art and life when discussing Hemingway's masterpieces: The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and The Old Man and the Sea. She balances this treatment with chronicles of Hemingway's formative youth, journalistic roots, far-flung world travels, friendships and feuds, suicide, and legacy. Numerous photographs are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2009

(2) YA Reef explores the interaction of events and poetry to portray a man whose story would not be complete without an understanding of both. She makes clear that the king of experimental poetry was deeply grounded in the very structure he subverted. Black-and-white photographs vivify the facts, while the spacious format gives Cummings's words room to spread out. List of major works, source notes. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Betsy Hearne | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006

(2) 4-6 In this exhaustively detailed book, Reef explores life in America's orphanages in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The book details the abuse, exploitation, and racism suffered by children in institutions that had little or no government oversight and offers a perceptive look at society's evolving views on childhood. The attractive design includes photographs and historic prints. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Ed Spicer | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2005

(3) 4-6 Masters of Music series. This well-documented biography introduces a talented and often-overlooked African-American composer, whose works include symphonies, ballets, and operas. Reef's informative text effectively mixes historical backdrop (segregation, civil-rights movement) with information on Still's private life and impressive accomplishments. Photos and a list of major works are included. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 In this thoroughly researched and well-written, readable history, Reef traces the "great experiment" that was the colony of Liberia, founded in 1822 as a haven for free African Americans. Wide outside margins create plenty of space for cogent quotations and detailed captions that clarify the archival photographs. Letters, diary entries, and photos of many early settlers personalize the account. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) YA African-American Biographies series. This biography of the man responsible for organizing the Pullman porters union and for advocating for the end of racism in the AFL-CIO provides a balanced view of a pivotal character in the union and civil rights crusades. Adequate black-and-white archival photos help to break up the well-researched text, which assumes a certain amount of historical knowledge. A chronology is included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(1) YA Reef skillfully weaves the developing theories of the first psychoanalyst into a chronological report of his eventful life, setting both in the political and social currents of his era. With admirable clarity, she presents both his seminal ideas and the objections, refinements, and alternatives to them that are still debated. There's an excellent selection of well-captioned archival photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2001

(4) YA Masters of Music series. This serviceable account of Gershwin's thirty-eight years includes his childhood but emphasizes his innovative contributions to U.S. music, particularly the marriage of classical forms with jazz harmonies and rhythms that resulted in such works as Rhapsody in Blue. Poorly reproduced black-and-white photos illustrate the sometimes clunky text; good primary sources are documented. A list of major works is appended. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) YA African-American Biographies series. Well-rounded, clearly written biographies explore the lives of the groundbreaking singer, inspiring writer, and successful entrepreneur. The books address personal setbacks and the roadblocks these individuals encountered due to racism, but the emphasis is on their triumphs and the legacy that each provided. Average-quality black-and-white photographs illustrate the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta