Meet Oprah Winfrey

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-This biography relates how Winfrey overcame a background of poverty and upheaval to achieve her goals and aspirations. Two-thirds of the book is devoted to her childhood and life up until her senior year in college, at which time she accepted a full-time job at a television station in Baltimore. The rest of the book conveys how she developed her unique style of reporting and how she has ventured into other areas, such as movies and production. Overall, Winfrey is portrayed as a caring and sensitive individual who early in life often felt unloved and overlooked. She comes across as upbeat-hardly any mention is made of her faults or insecurities. The last chapter describes the different activities she spearheads for the benefit of children. Over 25 black-and-white photographs are included; most are publicity file shots that only adequately support the text. Even so, readers will be left with an appreciation for this multitalented woman.-Jeanette Lambert, Nashville Metropolitan Schools, TN