(4) YA Glamour and secrets tempt seventeen-year-old Naomi into friendships with the wealthy Hamptons teenagers her entrepreneurial mother wants her to associate with. As she becomes entangled in their lies and cruelties, Naomi's Midwestern values slip away until unavoidable tragedy strikes. Benincasa's faithful modernization of The Great Gatsby may appeal to some fans of Fitzgerald's portrait of opulence, but it brings nothing original to the table.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) YA Social Issues in Literature series. Each volume presents brief, thoughtful essay reprints (primarily written by literary critics and academics) arranged into three sections that explore the author's life, identify relevant social issues, and discuss current cultural applications. Although the pieces are sometimes awkwardly truncated, they usually present ideas that go well beyond superficial critique, inviting readers to consider fiction as a vehicle for analyzing American identity. Reading list, timeline, Bib., ind. Review covers these Social Issues in Literature titles: Class Conflict in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Racism in Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Racism in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, and Women's Issues in Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) YA Bloom's Guides series. This thoughtful, well-developed, highly academic volume includes some background information about Fitzgerald, then presents a chapter-by-chapter summary of his novel. Eleven brief essays and snippets from longer critical works follow, exposing readers to a variety of scholarly perspectives and approaches. An annotated bibliography will be useful to young Fitzgerald scholars. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Understanding Literature series. Though instructive as to biography and literary analysis, these books are overambitious in the number of sophisticated novels and stories addressed. Illustrated with photos and reproductions, topics include influences, plot and character development, themes, and literary devices. Sidebars explain literary terms and offer historical information. List of works, reading list, source notes, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Understanding Literature titles: A Student's Guide to Nathaniel Hawthorne and A Student's Guide to F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Reviewer: Connie ANn Kirk

(4) YA World Writers series. The author of The Great Gatsby is profiled in a fast-paced, fairly thorough biography. Issues such as Fitzgerald's rocky marriage to Zelda, his alcoholism, and his infidelities are handled in a non-sensationalized manner. The text states that Fitzgerald captured his era in his works, but his novels aren't described in enough detail for readers to get a sense of their essence. The book is illustrated with black-and-white photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Lerner Biographies series. Both the biographies in this series--one of the shy Victorian mathematician who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the other of the charismatic author of The Great Gatsby--offer a well-researched look into each writer's life from his early years to his legacy. Black-and-white photos add further interest. Fitzgerald includes a timeline and online resources. Bib., ind. [Review covers these Lerner Biographies titles: Lewis Carroll and F. Scott Fitzgerald.]

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute