Ernest Hemingway

School Library Journal

Gr 8 UpThis is both a personal and literary biography, combining material about Hemingway's life and work, emphasizing the way he contributed to and changed American literature. McDaniel uses background information and a variety of primary sources to help readers separate the real man from the many myths that surrounded him. She also includes excerpts from Hemingway's writings and quotes from reviewers and critics to illustrate how his work often mirrored or was influenced by his life. This is an objective account, admiring the man's desire to experience life fully and his enormous talent, but also examining his often cruel and erratic behavior, problems with alcohol, and battles with the emotional problems that eventually led to his suicide. Good-quality black-and-white photos appear throughout. Most biographies of Hemingway have been written for adults; this readable overview is a good choice for YAs.Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO