From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8–Kjelle presents Paterson as a writer who understands and writes about her characters and their feelings in pragmatic ways while embodying the hope that is integral to her religious faith. Inserts about Communist leaders, a barge in Shanghai, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and Pearl S. Buck are not explained in the text and fill space while leaving readers puzzled about the reason for their inclusion. Mangal relates Taylor's experience growing up with family stories and the storytelling tradition as important influences on her work. The accompanying supplements offer information about the African-American storytelling tradition, slavery, segregation, the Peace Corps, Ethiopia, and the Coretta Scott King Awards. Some photographs do not match the accompanying captions. Each book contains only one photograph of its subject and neither includes content obtained through actual interviews with these award-winning authors. Libraries should reserve funds for better resources.
–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA
