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Gr 3-6 A splendid alliance of topic, text, and illustration produces a hauntingly compelling biography. Erik Satie was not suited to his times; he battled a "terrible temper" and wrote music that was so unusual that it eluded popularity. After years of struggle, at age 39, he returned to school to learn the rules of music "so he could break...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Anderson (Handel, Who Knew What He Liked, rev. 11/01) has written a second picture book biography of a musician, this time of French composer Erik Satie—as complex and notoriously difficult a person as Handel, but not as well known (though his minimalist piano music has gained a certain pop currency). Satie's early life was full of failure since he refused to follow the rules, either as a pianist and composer or as a member of society. Anderson's clear, direct text invites the reader to enter Satie's reality, and we find ourselves rooting for him—terrible temper, unconventional hygiene, and all. As a composer, Satie wrote music unlik...Log In or Sign Up to Read More