Students who want to know more about the authors of their popular (and/or required) reading can begin with the Who Wrote That? series. Opening with an attention-grabbing anecdote, each title focuses on how the author's childhood and environment shaped the content and style of his or her writing. The books also explain how the authors' writing progressed throughout their careers and offer a brief overview and literary criticism of seminal works. H. G. Wells introduces readers to one of the founding fathers of science fiction and his theories on time travel. This series also educates readers on the craft of writing, from archetypes and the hero's journey to differences between fantasy and science fiction. Additional features comprise a chronology, source notes, major awards, and a bibliography.

BANKSTON, John . Ray Bradbury . 140p. ISBN 978-1-60413-778-1 . LC 2010029477. ea vol: (Who Wrote That? Series). illus. map. photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. Chelsea House . 2011. PLB $35. Gr 8 Up Striking a balance between the men behind the books and the books themselves, these biographies provide many details for information-seekers as well as discussions of their major works. Both volumes frequently reference previously published autobiographical works by each author, which lends a sense of intimacy to the presentations. Readers will learn about the writers' personal lives and how their backgrounds influenced their craft. Descriptions of the plots and characters of such classics as Fahrenheit 451 and War of the Worlds are included, as are their impact on their respective cultures. Good-quality period photos appear in both volumes; Bradbury also has some full-color photographs. Extensive endnotes and annotated lists of the authors' most popular books are appended. Solid choices for most collections. Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA