american authors

"A . . . biography of Edgar Allan Poe that examines the renowned author's life through the prism of his mysterious death and its many possible causes. . . Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7, 1849, at just forty, in a painful, utterly bizarre manner that would not have been out of place in one of his own tales of terror. What was the cause of his untimely death, and what happened to him during the three missing days before he was found, delirious and 'in great distress' on the streets of Baltimore, wearing ill-fitting clothes that were not his own? . . . Over the years, there has been a staggering amount of speculation about the cause of death, from rabies and syphilis to suicide, alcoholism, and even murder. But many of these theories are formed on the basis of the caricature we have come to associate with Poe . . . By debunking the myths of how he lived, we come closer to understanding the real Poe-and uncovering the truth behind his mysterious death, as a new theory emerges that could prove the cause of Poe's death was haunting him all his life"--Provided by publisher.

American novelist and poet Patricia Lockwood describes her life, including her upbringing in a household led by her unusual Catholic priest father as well as the time spent living in her parents' home with her husband after a decade of living on their own.

An illustrated biography of the life of Pura Belpr?, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.

Harry Bernstein recounts his difficult childhood in Depression-era Chicago and New York, where his mother dreamed of a better life for her family.

"While writing and illustrating the beloved picture book Make Way for Ducklings, Robert McCloskey brings a flock of ducklings into his tiny New York City apartment. But an artist + a bunch of ducklings in his apartment = chaos! There are ducklings in the bathtub and ducklings in the kitchen, quacking at dawn and sitting on his desk. Can he learn to draw them just right before they grow too big? This glimpse into the creation of a much-loved story for kids is a must-read for fans of children's books, or for anyone who is interested in the creative process and the importance of persistence"--Provided by the publisher.

"When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. Going into it, Jarrett was worried: Wouldn't it be depressing, to be around kids facing such a serious struggle? Wouldn't it be grim? But instead of the shadow of death, Jarrett found something else at Camp Sunshine: the hope and determination that gets people through the most troubled of times. Not only was he subject to some of the usual rituals that come with being a camp counselor (wilderness challenges, spooky campfire stories, an extremely stinky mascot costume), but he also got a chance to meet some extraordinary kids facing extraordinary circumstances. He learned about the captivity of illness, for sure but he also learned about the freedom a safe space can bring"--Provided by publisher.

"A . . . biography of [E.B. White,] the man behind 'Stuart Little' and 'Charlotte's Web,' two of the best loved children's books of all time"--Provided by publisher.

Briefly profiles American children's author Raina Telgemeier, highlighting the topics she chooses to write about as sometimes being things difficult for children to discuss with other people. Includes a glossary of key words.

A chronicle of the author's hardscrabble childhood in rural western New York State describes the family members, first friendships, and early experiences with death that shaped her literary career.