Oprah Winfrey (Just the Facts Biographies) [Library Binding]

Katherine E. Krohn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Like other books in the Just the Facts Biographies series, this title targets reluctant, struggling, and ESL readers with basic sentence constructions, simple vocabulary, and clear explanations of concepts. Using just enough facts and without sensationalizing, Krohn discusses Winfrey's difficult experiences (teen pregnancy, childhood sexual abuse) as well as her triumphs. Fact boxes explore relevant topics, such as the civil rights movement and affirmative action, in greater detail. Young people will particularly enjoy the smattering of color and black-and-white photographs of the media mogul throughout her life, including a high-school yearbook picture. The straightforward presentation manages to be informative and accessible without talking down to its audience, making it a good crossover for adult literacy students. Readers will find plenty to support reports here, but many will pick this up on their own for the inspiring, uplifting story. A glossary, source notes, and suggested readings close this solid entry in a new series. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Library Binding: 112 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Publications Company (October 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822524724
• ISBN-13: 978-0822524724
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,512,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( W ) > Winfrey, Oprah

More About the Author

Katherine Elizabeth Krohn was born in Bitburg, Germany in 1961. At the time, her father, Don, was a physician in the United States Air Force. Her mother, Betty, was a homemaker. When Katherine was born, she had two older brothers (William and David) and an older sister (Vicki). A few months after her birth, the Krohns returned to the States and settled in the Detroit-area.

Krohn attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Besides biographies, Katherine Krohn has written fiction, books about social issues, graphic science books, and books on metaphysical subjects such as haunted houses and fortune-telling. You can learn more about Katherine Krohn and her books on her website, http://www.katherinekrohn.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Oprah Biography, June 23, 2008

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Oprah Winfrey (A & E Biography (Lerner Paperback)) (Paperback)

I've read quite a few Oprah Biographies and this is one of my favorites. It focuses on all the main events that made Oprah who she is today and gives interesting details about her childhood. I especially enjoyed reading about how she spoke in churches at a very young age and how she managed to convince her mother to buy her new glasses. He antics were quite humorous and definitely got her mom's attention.

As you read this book you can truly get a sense of what it was like for Oprah to make it through a difficult childhood. In a way she was given ever-increasing challenges to develop her character as an adult. At one point she had to take three buses just to get to school.

This book also explains how she met her lifelong friend Gayle King and it addresses her struggle with her weight. What is amazing is how Oprah dreamed her life into existence. When she decided she wanted to be an actress doors opened for her in unique ways. She took all the right jobs and lived her life with passion. This book shows a side of Oprah that we can all truly admire.

~The Rebecca Review

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for research., February 16, 2009

By 

L. Johnson "Mazzie Mae" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Oprah Winfrey (A & E Biography (Lerner Paperback)) (Paperback)

I wrote a college paper on Oprah and this book really helped me get an A.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Condensed Story of Oprah's Life, December 5, 2008

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Oprah Winfrey (Just the Facts Biographies) (Library Binding)

"I'm just a voice trying to help people rediscover their best selves." ~ Oprah

Oprah is a fascinating woman and in this "Just the Facts Biography" we learn about all her major achievements and the life choices that made her the amazing woman she is today. I especially enjoyed learning about her childhood and some of the stories are amusing. One sad story is about how her mother took books away from her and didn't let her go to the library. Later Oprah becomes pregnant and has to deal with the death of her first child.

When you think about what Oprah had to overcome it is amazing that she is as successful as she has turned out to be. In this biography you also learn about her rise to power and how she took opportunities that were presented to her so she would be in the right place at the right time. This book also contains the story of how she met her best friend Gayle King and how she had pajama parties at Maya Angelou's home. A lot has happened in Oprah's personal life since 2005 so this book is in need of an update.

I can also highly recommend:

The Gospel According To Oprah

The Oprah Winfrey Show

Oprah Winfrey Speaks: Insights from the World's Most Influential Voice

~The Rebecca Review