“Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White,” by Melissa Sweet
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, 2016, 162 pages, Grades 5-7.
Biography is a fascinating genre of literature describing a person’s life. In this form of writing, we learn about heroes and villains, monarchs and presidents, poets and writers. A fine biographer tells the audience the entire story of the subject’s life, not just the pleasant parts. In fact the person’s shortcomings are often as illustrative as are their strengths. Melissa Sweet has written a delightful biography about E.B. White, the author of the beloved novel, “Charlotte’s Web.”
Elwyn Brooks (E.B) White was born in 1899 in Mount Vernon, New York. Though not rich, the White family was financially comfortable. Surrounded by a loving family, E.B. led a happy childhood. As a young boy his family began to take extended vacations in the Belgrade Lakes region of southern Maine. During this time, E.B. starts developing his love of nature and of farm animals. Additionally, he writes in notebooks and journals about scenes from nature that interest him. This desire to write grows when the young boy enters school. He joins a literary club known as the St. Nicholas League and begins sending in stories for literary competitions. When he finishes high school, E.B. enrolls at Cornell University. At Cornell, White sharpens his writing skills and learns how to edit unnecessary words from his writing. This results in writing style that is both simple and elegant while being pleasing to readers.
After college, White begins writing for the New Yorker Magazine. His office mate is James Thurber, later to become a famed humorist and the author of the hysterical short story, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” They are as different as night and day with Thurber being outgoing and engaging while White is shy and retiring. White is so painfully reticent that he can scarcely bring himself to ask a lady out for a date. But eventually he finds a woman he loves named Katherine Sergeant Angell. They will later marry and have a son named Joe.
After writing for the New Yorker Magazine for a number of years, the Whites buy a farm in Maine and live there for extended periods of time. At the farm, E.B. begins raising pigs, chickens and sheep. He also sees any number of spiders making webs in his barn. Studying the spiders, White discovers the beauty of their webs and their amazing work habits. He begins to think about writing a children’s book about these insects and animals. Who should be the main characters? How about a pig and a spider? Now that is a thought.
How many children’s books does E.B. White write? How can characters so simply drawn reach the hearts of millions of readers? Since its publication date in 1952, why does “Charlotte’s Web” still command the love and attention of children? Have you ever read any of E.B. White’s novels? It is not too late to start. As well, you will do yourself a favor by going to the library and checking out this fine biography, “Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White” by Melissa Sweet.
This is a pleasing biography about E.B. White, the author of the famed book “Charlotte’s Web.” White draws his characters so simply and beautifully that readers fall in love with them. For nearly 65 years, “Charlotte’s Web” has been one of the favorite children’s books of all time. Sweet’s writing and illustrations draw readers into the story. The loving character of E.B. White comes shining through the pages. I hope you get a chance to read this biography and encourage the younger members of your family to do the same. Also, encourage your youngsters to read his novels as well. That is if they can pry them out of your hands. They are great! Enjoy!
