by Elizabeth Partridge

Viking, 2002

Image from the Woody Guthrie Store

This biography of Woody Guthrie for middle grade and young adult readers, while printed only in black and white, gives the impression of color.  This is due in part to the bright cover, brilliantly illustrated by Lane Smith, but it also comes from the beautiful book design and Partridge’s descriptive narrative style.  Chapters are broken up into distinct time periods and everything is very clear.  Partridge uses sections of Woody’s lyrics to illustrate a point or to put a certain song in its biographical context.  Reproductions of photos, Woody’s cartoons, and other historical materials liven up the text and help the reader see Woody from as many aspects as possible.  

(This review was originally submitted to my Materials for Children class)