Arthur Miller

Gr 9 Up—This well-written book paints a portrait of playwright Miller that high school students will appreciate and even enjoy. Reef describes the man not simply as a respected literary figure but also as a rebel. She discusses how, as a student at the University of Michigan, Miller was outspoken about his views, publishing pieces in the Michigan Daily on topics such as labor laws and whether college professors should bring up controversial subjects in their classrooms. A survivor of the Great Depression, Miller gravitated toward radical politics, which inspired some of his greatest plays. Always a scholar, Miller also found ideas for his works in his travels abroad and his studies of history. This slim, compelling biography reads like a novel, and though informative, the content is condensed enough that it won't overwhelm. Photographs interspersed throughout will give readers a sense of the man and his time. An appealing look at one of America's most celebrated playwrights.—Jessica Lorentz Smith, Bend Senior High School, OR