Fabiny, Sarah. Who Was Jane Austen? (Who Was series) Illustrated by Jerry Hoare. Penguin Workshop, 2017. $16.00. ISBN 9780515157994. 107 pages. Includes time line, The Works of Jane Austen, and bibliography. Ages 10-14. P6 Q8
This biography of author Jane Austin provides a good picture of her life from 1775-1817. As the seventh child of a poor reverend, she has to go into foster care and boarding school. The book shares how she works to become a published author. It seems to emphasize her desire for marriage which was expected for young women of the time. She is proposed to, yet she declines even though he is wealthy. Pencil illustrations and easy language make the chapter book accessible to young readers learning this part in history.
Verdict: It is a good addition for school libraries to add to the Who Was series. Also, it provides an example of woman in history.
January 2018 review by Deborah Gwynn.
Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center 