Pablo Casals

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-- Beginning with a description of Catalonia, where Casals was born, this well-researched biography captures the joys, disappointments, and fears that dominated this musician's life. Realizing that middle school readers may not be able to identify geographical and historical places and events, Hargrove both describes and explains settings within his subject's life. Free of weighted technical jargon, the vocabulary will satisfy the musically aware as well as those with no background at all. Reluctant readers will enjoy the large type, conversational tone, and storylike narrative. --Linda Zoppa, Queens College Laboratory Schools