(3) YA Literary Greats series. Cather's own words are expertly woven into this lively, accessible biography. Photographs of Cather and the people and places she loved set the scene as Meltzer draws connections between the author's life and works, including an honest treatment of her intimate relationships with Isabelle McClung and Edith Lewis. Extensive back matter reveals Meltzer's in-depth research. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(3) YA Literary Greats series. The first black author in the United States to write a bestseller, Wright published the history-making Native Son in 1940. Still, he faced racial prejudice and discrimination. This thoughtful biography places Wright's life and literary success in historical context, delineating how his books reflected his own experiences and those of black America. Uncluttered design and black-and-white photos contribute to the book's accessibility. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) YA American Literary Greats series. Almost no excerpts from Hawthorne's writings are included in this volume, nor does Meltzer elaborate the specific qualities that marked his work. Instead, the biography emphasizes the vicissitudes of Hawthorne's life--his government jobs, limited commercial success as a writer, and personal relationships. Meltzer also addresses Hawthorne's self-interested and biased opinions on the pressing social issues of the day, including abolition. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac