Who Was Bruce Lee? by Jim Gigliotti

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Justification

Any of the Who Was books are great for including in a collection, as they are easy to read and often high interest to young readers. Who Was Bruce Lee? would be an especially important addition in a school with a high Asian demographic. Bruce Lee was a Chinese American martial artist along with being a famous action movie star. Lee was integral in defining how Asians were presented in American films and remains an icon today.

Evaluation

Illustrations: Who Was Bruce Lee? is filled with drawn illustrations of Lee, his family, and relevant scenes from Lee's life. Though simple in nature, they are interesting to look at and depict Lee through his entire life, from a baby all the way through adulthood.

Informational Analysis: the biographical information about Lee is interesting and engagingly written. As a person, Lee is relatable to students who often have big dreams and is a great role model.

Conclusion

The Who Was books are always a wonderful addition. This one in particular is a hit with students because so many are often interested in action films. The extra information about Chinatown, Latin dancing, and other films of the time add an extra layer of context for students that helps them build connections to modern film and television.

Citation

Gigliotti, J., & Hinderliter, J. (2017). Who was Bruce Lee? New York, NY: Penguin Workshop.