(3) K-3 Illustrated by David C. Gardner. In 1893, a fearful five-year-old Russian-Jewish boy named Israel arrives on Ellis Island. Renamed Irving Berlin, his life story and contributions to American music as a composer are simply and engagingly told. Lighthearted watercolor illustrations underscore the story's action and musicality; a final picture shows Berlin gazing once again at the Statue of Liberty at age 101. An author's note and suggested songs are appended. Reading list.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Rob Polivka. Russian-Jewish composer Irving Berlin immigrated to New York as a child and had a successful songwriting career, including penning the patriotic "God Bless America." This free-verse biography outlines Berlin's life but unfortunately reserves most details for a lengthy author's note. Nuchi cleverly incorporates sounds to express emotions and actions ("a boom-rah-rah song"), while Polivka's detailed illustrations capture early-to-mid-twentieth-century American scenes. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) YA Modern Music Masters series. Brimming with well-documented information, this biography traces the composer's life, from his Russian birth as Israel Beilin in 1888 to his death at age 101. The book highlights Berlin's contributions to American music, from Tin Pan Alley to Broadway, films, and individual hits. Black-and-white photos illustrate the text. A timeline and list of major songs are appended. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Masters of Music series. These well-researched books relate biographical details of the composers' lives, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding their musical education and compositions. The text is illustrated with photos and reproductions in a dull design, and each chapter has an "FYI" page that supplies further cultural details of varying relevance. Chronologies and lists of works are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Masters of Music titles: The Life and Times of George Frideric Handel, The Life and Times of Irving Berlin, The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Life and Times of Johannes Brahms, The Life and Times of Peter Ilyich Tschaikovsky, The Life and Times of Felix Medelssohn, The Life and Times of John Philip Sousa, and The Life and Times of Stephen Foster.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian