Ella Fitzgerald: A Twentieth-Century Life (Up Close) - Hardcover

Tanya Lee Stone has written many biographies for young readers. She lives in Burlington, Vermont.

Ella Fitzgerald was “a private soul, protective of the details that made up her life,” writes Stone in this strong biography in the Up Close series. Unlike many books that perpetuate some of Fitzgerald’s own myths about her life, Stone’s smooth, straightforward narrative draws from authoritative sources and reveals a “workhorse” artist who devoted herself to developing and sharing her gift with the world. Personal details, particularly about Fitzgerald’s youth, support each chapter, but Stone’s clear emphasis is on the singer’s extraordinary career. The few black-and-white photos are of average quality, but the abundant quotes from Fitzgerald and her musician peers greatly develop the narrative. The author has studied voice, and her brief asides about music, such as what it means for a singer’s voice to mature, are illuminating, while references to the racism Fitzgerald encountered, particularly while touring the South, deepen the profile. Source notes for direct quotes and an extensive bibliography complete this inspiring portrait. Grades 7-10. --Gillian Engberg