Norma Fox Mazer: A Writer's World

by Arthea J.S. Reed

Overview

In Norma Fox Mazer: A Writer's World, Reed chronicles her discovery that, although Mazer's husband and his work are thoroughly intertwined with and complimentary to her own, the author "is fiercely independent-a feminist."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810838147
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/20/2000
Series:	Studies in Young Adult Literature , #3
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.64(w) x 8.74(h) x 0.66(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Arthea J.S. Reed, Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, taught education, including adolescent literature, from 1978 to 1996. She is coeditor of the Penguin USA teachers' guide series and has written fifteen books, including Presenting Harry Mazer.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preface Part 2 Chronology Chapter 3 1. The Roots of Realism Chapter 4 2. Missing Pieces and Outsiders Chapter 5 3. Star-Crossed Love Chapter 6 4. Norma and Harry: Relationship, Romance and Writing Chapter 7 5. Writing for Young Readers Chapter 8 6. Fantasy and Suspense Chapter 9 7. From Excellence to Mastery Part 10 Selected Bibliography Part 11 Index Part 12 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Highly recommended for any high school collection where young people are encouraged to analyze favorite teen author themes.

Reference Reviews

It is a journey worth taking, and this book will appeal to those who are doing research on the body of her work as well as to those readers who simply love it.

VOYA

Another in Scarecrow's excellent Studies in Young Adult Literature.

Catholic Library World

This exceptionally thorough treatment of an author is exemplary. Teachers could use it as an example of how author research should be conducted. Highly recommended.

The Book Report

...well balanced and objectively written.

6/1/2001 Booklist

It is a journey worth taking, and this book will appeal to those who are doing research on the body of her work as well as to those readers who simply love it.--VOYA

This exceptionally thorough treatment of an author is exemplary. Teachers could use it as an example of how author research should be conducted. Highly recommended.--The Book Report

...well balanced and objectively written.--Booklist, 6/1/2001

From the Publisher

Highly recommended for any high school collection where young people are encouraged to analyze favorite teen author themes.

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Highly recommended for any high school collection where young people are encouraged to analyze favorite teen author themes.

"American Reference Books Annual"

Reed has provided a good working text to continue that done by Sally Holmes Holtze in Presenting Norma Fox Mazer (Twayne, 1987; o.p.), but aimed at an older, more academic audience. Quoting heavily from the author herself and published reviews of her work, the author provides a chronology of major events in Mazer's life and then goes into deeper detail about her subject's childhood and adolescence and how her upbringing played a vital role in her novels and partnership with her husband, Harry Mazer. Several works are comprehensively analyzed, notably Silver, Missing Pieces, Downtown, Babyface, and Dear Bill, Remember Me? Several works are discussed at length due to their complexity and impact on literature: Up in Seth's Room, When We First Met, Taking Terri Mueller, Out of Control, the devastating When She Was Good, and the insightful After the Rain. Reed delves into several themes common to Mazer's work, such as her use of themes of three and the growing emotional strength of her female characters. A useful addition to professional collections and higher-education facilities.-Susan Riley, Greenburgh Public Library, Elmsford, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

The subject is the prolific writer of young adult fiction, who often writes about difficult and realistic events faced by young people. In this short biography, Reed (emeritus, education, U. of N. Carolina, Asheville) explores Mazer's life, including her relationship with her husband, love of writing, and place within the genre. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews