Kurt Cobain

Children's Literature

An entry in the "Rock Music Library" and a part of the "Edge" series, this biography of the grunge music pioneer covers his short life and death at 27 from depression and drugs. This high interest book for older readers is coupled with a reading level for middle elementary grades and captioned pictures that include his wife Courtney Love and band Nirvana; the text is broken up with boxed quotes. The biography begins with his suicide and then covers the vast restlessness and dissatisfaction that characterized his early life and his bi-polar manic-depressive character that remained untreated, even though other family members suffered from this debilitating disease. The book ends with "learning from Kurt's death" and the thought that at least it brought worldwide attention to serious depression, as well as the legacy of Nirvana's music. Also included are a glossary, index, several print references to Nirvana and Cobain, in addition to a hosted website that leads readers to fan clubs, Nirvana lyrics, and more about Cobain. Unfortunately for any troubled teen readers, there is no site about dealing with depression or bi-polar disease. 2005, Capstone Books, Ages 12 to 16.
—Susan Hepler, Ph.D.