Winona Ryder

Children's Literature

Here is a simple account of the fascinating story of a Generation Xer who succeeded as a teenage film star (Beetlejuice) and an adult film star (Age of Innocence—Golden Globe Award). Named after the Minnesota town where she was born in 1971, Winona Horowitz spent her early years in a commune with her free-thinking parents and later moved to Petaluma, California. She attended theatrical school in San Francisco. By the time Winona finished the eighth grade she was in her first film and, before graduating from high school, had been in six movies. While her film career has steadily progressed, with 23 films to her name to date, her personal life has had its turmoil. When she broke up with her first love, Johnny Depp, she was also acting in The House of the Spirits, which included a torture scene. As a result of the stress, she briefly checked into a psychiatric hospital. It is Winona's strength of character that is emphasized, however. Her appreciation of books (she has a collection of J. D. Salinger first editions), her political and social activism, and her independent spirit come across in this "Real-Life Reader Biography" series book. Filmography, chronology, index and photos are included. 2001, Mitchell Lane Publishers, $15.95. Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins