The Horn Book Guide

BIOGRAPHIES

Kimmelman, Leslie

Write On, Irving Berlin!

32 pp. | Sleeping Bear | May, 2018 | Trade ISBN 978-1-58536-380-3 $16.99

(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