Mythmaker: The Story of J. K. Rowling (Who Wrote That?)**OUT OF PRINT**

Grade 5-8-Yet another biography of the popular writer that contains more about the "Harry Potter" books and their success than it does about Rowling. (The author lists Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as having a 2002 publication date, which at this point seems highly unlikely.) Drawing mostly from magazine articles and interviews, Shields does cover more personal information about his subject than earlier titles. Each chapter begins with a quote, many from the "Harry Potter" books. Although the fact boxes contain one or two paragraphs of interesting tidbits, most are located between sentences. Reading them breaks the flow of the narrative, and they don't even necessarily relate to the text. Full-color, captioned photographs are scattered throughout. Although Rowling and her new husband are pictured, their marriage is not mentioned in the text or in the chronology. There are also some discrepancies. The text notes Rowling's birthday as July 31, 1966; the chronology lists it as 1965. Information found in the body of this book is serviceable, but not authoritative. Purchase at your own risk.
Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.