The name “Ella Fitzgerald” brings to mind a silky voice crooning jazz standards. The First Lady of Song earned her nickname by touring almost nonstop for over fifty years, winning thirteen Grammys, and recording album after album.But who was the woman behind the name? How did a teenage runaway become a renowned jazz singer? Long after her homeless days, Ella remained insecure—she often suffered stage fright. Yet she was a born performer, able to improvise lyrics and record songs in single takes. She even seemed more comfortable on stage than off, and close friends found her hard to truly know.Tanya Lee Stone’s Up Close biography delivers several never-before-published details of this intensely private, legendary singer’s life. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 7 Up-This biography of the legendary jazz singer (1917-1996) does an excellent job of introducing her musical legacy to young adults. It focuses on her work, but offers insights as well into her personal life. Clearly written and well organized, the book describes her difficult and troubled childhood. Fitzgerald was shy, no great beauty, overweight, and black. Her musical skills, hard work, the support of key figures in her life, and a bit of luck brought her enormous professional and financial success. Stone gives readers a great appreciation of a rare talent, of a singer who could do things with a melody that few others could do, and they will come to share the writer's obvious love of her subject. A must-buy for teens who are familiar with Fitzgerald's music as well as for those who are not.-Carol Jones Collins, Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Ella Fitzgerald was a private soul, protective of the details that made up her life, writes Stone in this strong biography in the Up Close series. Unlike many books that perpetuate some of Fitzgerald's own myths about her life, Stone's smooth, straightforward narrative draws from authoritative sources and reveals a workhorse artist who devoted herself to developing and sharing her gift with the world. Personal details, particularly about Fitzgerald's youth, support each chapter, but Stone's clear emphasis is on the singer's extraordinary career. The few black-and-white photos are of average quality, but the abundant quotes from Fitzgerald and her musician peers greatly develop the narrative. The author has studied voice, and her brief asides about music, such as what it means for a singer's voice to mature, are illuminating, while references to the racism Fitzgerald encountered, particularly while touring the South, deepen the profile. Source notes for direct quotes and an extensive bibliography complete this inspiring portrait.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2008 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.