E. B. White: Some Writer! [Hardcover]

Beverly Gherman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 1992 | Age Level: 11 and up

The biography of the beloved author of Charlotte's Web relates anecdotes and details of the writer's idyllic childhood and successful career and explains the reasons for his intense shyness.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With thorough detail and a loving tone, Gherman paints a warm, affectionate portrait of the famed New Yorker essayist and author of the children's classics Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web. Unfortunately, the book's affection for its subject becomes its main flaw. White, or Andy, as he is referred to throughout, always seems to be on the right side of things, whether it be his attitude toward writing, his politics or his concern for the environment. Although his shortcomings are discussed--extreme fear of public speaking, bouts with depression and hypochondria--they are quickly dispensed with, leaving White more of an angel than a very talented mortal. Yet not much has been written about White for young readers, and the biography does offer its audience valuable insights into the inspirations for his famed books. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-- As evidenced by notes and a bibliography, Gherman's work is based on interviews with White's family, his journals, papers given to Cornell University, and the work of other biographers. Some of the interviews were conducted as recently as 1991. Gherman shows the author's eccentricities as well as his accomplishments. Always fretful about his health and extremely fearful of public speaking, White courageously wrote in opposition to The New York Herald Tribune' s support of Hollywood firings of the McCarthy period. Happiest on his farm observing all of nature's creatures, he spent his last days listening to his works and evaluating each piece by his own tough standards. Perhaps in tribute to White, Gherman's own prose has caught something of his style. She is gently simple, refreshingly clear, but always ready to deal realistically with the hard edge of truth. This book will be a pleasure for those who loved Charlotte's Web and an excellent resource for reports. It's for an older audience than David Collins's To the Point (Carolrhoda, 1989).
- Cindy Darling Codell, Clark Middle School, Winchester, KY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (April 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689316720
• ISBN-13: 978-0689316722
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,406,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A kid's biography for readers of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little -, March 2, 2011

By 

garby francis leon (Los Angeles CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: E.B. White: Some Writer! All about the author of Charlotte's Web (Paperback)

This is a valuable and worthwhile book, particularly as it's very accessible to kids who've loved Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web, and who may be interested to know more about the real-world author who wrote them. This narrative reveals what an adventurous person White was when young, traveling widely and earning his way by working and writing, eager to explore the entire continent, not unlike Mark Twain some decades before. In this, White is a very American figure, but there's a lot more besides. But the most important point is that White and his work are so close to the hearts of kids lucky enough to have been exposed to them, and this book brings the source of those treasures even closer. For kids who've spent a lot of time in fantasy worlds (and I'm a Harry Potter fan), this is a way to introduce them to a real world that's interesting, important, with charm and a story-telling style all its own.

White was wonderful in many ways, as a person and a writer, and kids should know what he was really like.

(PS Not sure the point of the previous negative review - seems like an objection to the subtitle - but this book is very readable and, in its way, rather special, for both children and interested adults).

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The Ditzy Title Says It All, August 17, 2010

By 

Don Reed "Don" (Cliffside Park NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: E.B. White: Some Writer! All about the author of Charlotte's Web (Paperback)

E.B. White, Beverly Gherman; Atheneum (1992)

The actual title, in its entirety, is "E.B. White, Some Writer!"

E.B. White owned a shotgun, I believe, when he resided in Maine in the latter half of his life.

And, not withstanding his diplomatic demeanor & eloquent voice dedicated to the cause of world peace, he would have wholeheartedly & without remorse fired a warning salvo over the head of whomever was responsible for that preposterous add-on.

The obituary of former teacher & state representative June Bugg, from Gadsden, Alabama, is taped onto the front overleaf page.