Willa: The Story of Willa Cather, An American Writer by Amy Ehrlich (review)

In this chapter-book biography of Willa Cather, elementary-grade readers may be lured by a story initially reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilder; Cather was transplanted from the East (in this case, Virginia) to the Midwestern plains (for Cather, Nebraska), and later notably chronicled the experiences of pioneers during white settlement. Wilder’s writing is accessible to younger children, though, while Cather’s work leans toward an older audience, and it’s unlikely that Ehrlich’s intended reader will have encountered Cather’s work. Perceptive kids will glean the basics here—that Cather’s Western sojourn and acquaintances formed the basis of many of her novels, even though her own education and experiences were broader than this interest might suggest. However, there is little explanation of the importance of the literary luminaries she encountered, little investigation of her personal adult life, and little effort to clarify the few relatable childhood anecdotes that offer the most kid-friendly appeal. Minor’s illustrations, some color, some monochromatic sepia-toned, offer stiff, literal images drawn from the text, a timeline extends the list of people Cather met, a bibliography is directed to adult readers, and fifteen thumbnail bios of noted American women writers are appended, of which only Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Louisa May Alcott, and Emily Dickinson may have any appeal for Ehrlich’s readers.