novelists, american

One of the first African American anthropologists, and a talented writer, Zora Neale Hurston's body of work was an important part of the Harlem Renaissance. Learn about her life, her work, and her influence.

Chronicles the life of twentieth-century writer-anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, author of "Their Eyes Were Watching God.".

"Okey Ndibe's funny, charming, and penetrating memoir tells of his move from Nigeria to America, where he came to edit the influential--but forever teetering on the verge of insolvency--African Commentary magazine. It recounts stories of Ndibe's relationships with Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and other literary figures; examines the differences between Nigerian and American etiquette and politics; recalls an incident of racial profiling just 13 days after he arrived in the US, in which he was mistaken for a bank robber; considers American stereotypes about Africa (and vice-versa); and juxtaposes African folk tales with Wall Street trickery. All these stories and more come together in a generous, encompassing book about the making of a writer and a new American"--.

In the mid-1950s, Kurt Vonnegut worked in the PR department at General Electric in Schenectady, where his older brother, Bernard, was a leading scientist in its research lab--or "House of Magic." Kurt has ambitions as a novelist, and Bernard is working on a series of cutting-edge weather-control experiments meant to make deserts bloom and farmers flourish. While Kurt writes zippy press releases, Bernard builds silver-iodide generators and attacks clouds with dry ice. His experiments attract the attention of the government. Weather proved a decisive factor in World War II, and if the military can control the clouds, fog, and snow, they can fly more bombing missions. Maybe weather will even be--as a headline in American Magazine calls it--"The New Super Weapon." But when the army takes charge of his cloudseeding project (dubbed Project Cirrus), Bernard begins to have misgivings about the use of his inventions for harm, not to mention the evidence that they are causing alarming changes in the atmosphere. This book chronicles the intersection of these brothers' lives at a time when the possibilities of science seemed infinite. As the Cold War looms, Bernard's struggle for integrity plays out in Kurt's evolving writing style. The Brothers Vonnegut reveals how science's ability to influence the natural world also influenced one of our most inventive novelists.

Examines the life of twentieth-century American novelist John Steinbeck, featuring interviews with people who knew and loved the writer, and including discussion of some of his landmark works, and his legacy of literature and activism.

From award-winning author Amy Ehrlich comes an illustrated biography of Willa Cather, one of America s greatest and most beloved writers. Willa Cather s life was a true American success story. A pioneer and determined spirit, Willa didn t let anything stand in her way. She refused to be discouraged by the fact that in the 1880s women hadn t written before, because she had many ideas to share. By becoming a trailblazer and following her heart, Willa Cather is remembered today as one of the greatest American writers in history. Filled with captivating and historically accurate details, as well as and gorgeous illustrations by Wendell Minor, this illustrated chapter book is ideal nonfiction for middle graders.