Gr 8 Up-Hartland ably captures the many facets of entrepreneur and innovator Steve Jobs in this graphic biography. Jobs's entire lifespan is here, from his precocious childhood tinkering to his determination to see his final product, the iPad, through before his untimely death. In between, Hartland portrays Jobs in all his geeky, passionate, difficult glory. This work doesn't shy away from Jobs's demanding, perfectionist side, but it also portrays his delight in the "perfect product": an odd mixture that Hartland describes as Jobs's "reality distortion field." Apple is, of course, center stage, and readers will find the graphic representation of the evolution of various Apple products helpful. Hartland also covers Jobs's ouster from Apple in 1985, his development of the NeXT computer, and his work with Pixar. Throughout, panels depicting the latest technology (for instance, color TVs and digital watches in the late 1970s, cordless phones and the Sony Walkman in the 1980s) provide readers with a feel for competing products. The artwork is deceptively simple, at first blush appearing like the doodles of an average teenager, but these loose, expressive illustrations are detailed and convey large amounts of information. VERDICT Luddites and iFans alike should find this volume an illuminating introduction to Jobs's life and the recent history of consumer electronics.— Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Recently, there have been a multitude of biographies about Steve Jobs; author and illustrator Hartland adds to the collection with a unique yet informative look at the subject in this graphic biography. Covering his formative years challenging authority, to his time founding and then re-creating Apple, Hartland explains his life and the technology of his time while not shying away from Jobs' many eccentricities and erratic behaviors. Although there is always a smile drawn on Jobs' face, Hartland shows his many frustrations with technology, his anger toward his coworkers, and his hurt over his eventual cancer diagnosis. But her prose never judges his intentions or motives; she simply states the facts, providing a thorough history of a complex man. Hartland's signature squiggle style and handwritten text create a disarming, intimate view of the subject, as does the lack of any color. Like Job's innovative designs, her approach is sleek and simplistic, covering just what is needed while still standing out from the competition.