The Horn Book Guide

BIOGRAPHIES

McDonough, Yona Zeldis

Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott

48 pp. | Holt/Ottaviano | August, 2009 | Trade ISBN 978-0-8050-8192-3 $17.99

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Bethanne Andersen. McDonough describes the Alcotts' uncompromising ideals, Louisa's struggles with poverty, her growing fame, and her loyal nurturing of a family sadly diminished by its losses over time. The informative, no-nonsense text and the sophisticated illustrations should appeal to readers who are nearly ready for Little Women itself. Andersen's gouache and pastel art is rendered with a free-flowing, impressionistic brush. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2009