Marilyn Monroe : Norma Jean's Dream

Children's Literature - Judy Silverman

This book is a straightforward discussion of the movie star. The child of a single mother, raised in foster homes and an orphanage, and witness to her mother's mental breakdown, she had what is commonly known as a hard life. She escaped into daydreams-dreaming that she was "a waitress in an elegant hotel," where she would be admired for her beauty. She dreamed of "having people look at me and say my name." She got her dream, but at a tremendous cost. Much more intelligent than people gave her credit for, she educated herself, even opening a charge account at a bookstore when she had almost no money. Her search for love led to marriages that were doomed from the start. Even now, 35 years after her death, "the public" still idolizes this dreamer. The book makes it very clear that her choices were often self-destructive, and that most young women today have more choices, and learn early in life that "a woman's power lies in ... her ability to act on her decisions."

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9The inclusion of many varied, high-quality, black-and-white and full-color photographs makes this compact biography an appealing overview of the actress's life. Her unhappy childhood and rise from obscurity to fame are clearly described. As the highs and lows of Monroe's career and personal life are traced, young people will quickly be drawn into the compelling story of one of Hollywood's best-known stars. The epilogue states that "the circumstances surrounding her death are clouded in mystery" without elaborating on the circumstances or the mystery. By interweaving quotes by Monroe and others into a balanced, if somewhat sanitized account of the celebrity's life, Krohn presents the basic facts and gives readers a starting point for those who want to learn more about the subject.Janet Woodward, Franklin High School, Seattle, WA