New Releases by Catherine Reef

A tantalizing biography for teens on Sarah Bernhardt, the first international celebrity and one of the greatest actors of all time, who lived a highly unconventional, utterly fascinating life. Illustrated with more than sixty-five photos of Bernhardt on stage, in film, and in real life. Sarah Bernhardt was a French stage actor who became a global superstar in the late nineteenth century—the Lady Gaga of her day—and is still considered to be one of the greatest performers of all time. This fast-paced account of her life, filled with provocative detail, brilliantly follows the transformation of a girl of humble origins, born to a courtesan, into a fabulously talented, wealthy, and beloved icon. Not only was her acting trajectory remarkable, but her personal life was filled with jaw-dropping exploits, and she was extravagantly eccentric, living with a series of exotic animals and sleeping in a coffin. She grew to be deeply admired around the world, despite her unabashed and public promiscuity at a time when convention was king; she slept with each of her leading men and proudly raised a son without a husband. A fascinating and fast-paced deep dive into the world of the divine Sarah. Illustrated with more than sixty-five photos of Bernhardt on stage, in film, and in real life.

A captivating biography about Queen Victoria (1819-1901), one of England's most fascinating royals. Her long reign was filled with drama, death, intrigue, and passion, and took place during a time of great transformation, an era that bears her name--the Victorian period. Full color. 8 x 10.

An exploration of the lives of the Bronte sisters and the time in which they lived.

An upper-middle-grade biography on Noah Webster, a controversial political activist, the primary shaper of the American language, and author of the famous dictionary that bears his name. Illustrated with archival images.

Presents an overview of the history of American labor using excerpts from primary source documents, short biographies of influential people, and more.

Explores the tumultuous lives, marriage, and work of Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

"An excellent 'starter biography,' clearly written, peppered with period images, movie stills and great tidbits of historical facts . . . engaging."—Austenprose Jane Austen's popularity never seems to fade. She has hordes of devoted fans, and there have been numerous adaptations of her life and work. But who was Jane Austen? The writer herself has long remained a mystery. And despite the resonance her work continues to have for teens, there has never been a young adult trade biography on Austen. Catherine Reef changes that with this highly readable account. She takes an intimate peek at Austen's life and innermost feelings, interweaving her narrative with well-crafted digests of each of Austen's published novels. The end result is a book that is almost as much fun to read as Jane's own work—and truly a life revealed. Includes bibliography and index. "Along with extensive details of Austen's family . . . Reef deftly sets the biographical facts onto a larger cultural and historical canvas that will give readers a much deeper understanding of Austen's novels, and well-chosen images, from period paintings and photos to contemporary film stills, add even more context."— Booklist (starred review) "Perhaps this work will lead readers to Jane Austen and imaginatively apply the facts of the author's life to the novels—or vice-versa."— Kirkus Reviews

Examines the progress and development of education throughout U.S. history, from the changing theories of education and the differences between urban and rural education to the movements of progressivism and traditionalism to standardized testing.

An introduction to the life and work of one of the most significant and notorious American writers of the 20th century. Ernest Hemingway's literary status alone makes him worthy of a biography. In addition, his life reads like a suspense story--it's full of action, romance, heartbreak, machismo, mishaps, celebrity, and tragedy. He had first-hand experience of several historic events of the last century, and he rubbed elbows with many other notable writers and intellectual greats of our time. Though his reputation has weathered ups and downs, his status as an American icon remains untouchable. Here, in the only biography available to young people, Catherine Reef introduces readers to Hemingway's work, with a focus on his themes and writing styles and his place in the history of American fiction, and examines writers who influenced him and those he later influenced.

Presents an overview of the history of poverty in America and includes excerpts from primary source documents, short biographies of influential people, and more.

"A look into the life and poetry of E.E. Cummings."--From source other than the Library of Congress

From the almshouses of the 1800s to the foster home programs of the present, find out about our country's evolving attitudes toward its neediest children.

Chronicles the life of A. Philip Randolph, an important figure in the African-American civil rights movement.

A biography of Sigmund Freud which includes descriptions of his theories and methods.

Traces the life of the American Jewish composer who created a new kind of music that has lasted beyond the fashion of his time.

An introduction to the life and most significant works of American author John Steinbeck.

Walt Whitman lived in 19th century America; his poems and life reflect the changes which occured in that era.

This is a history of Monticello, the Virginia country estate, which Thomas Jefferson designed and built as his primary residence.