Meet Cindy Sherman: Artist, Photographer, Chameleon - Hardcover

Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan are the authors of many distinguished books about art, including Action Jackson (a Sibert Honor book), Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring which earned five starred reviews, a Sibert Honor, and the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, and The Mad Potter which was a Sibert Honor book. They also have received the 2013 Children's Book Guild of Washington D.C. Award for their body of work. Ms. Greenberg lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Ms. Jordan lives in New York, New York.

Gr 4–8—The duo's latest collaboration centers on a contemporary artist so enigmatic that it's no surprise the authors begin by asking readers, "Who is Cindy Sherman?" The work opens with Sherman's childhood and early career in New York City before launching into chapters organized around milestone projects/installations (Chapter 4 covers Rear Screen Projections 1980–1981, Fairy Tales 1985, and more). Sherman's iconic photos are reproduced with clarity and quality, with most laid out over a page or half page. The authors break down the myriad personas present in the artist's body of work and challenge students to consider the relationship between interpretation and meaning and how much weight to give to an artist's intent (or lack of) when viewing and analyzing art. Egalitarian statements such as "Art is for everyone at every age" lend the book a welcoming tone, and the authors often address readers directly ("Do clothes and hairstyles make us what we are?") and include quotes from real kids that oftentimes demonstrate the subjective nature of art interpretation. An ending "Production Notes" spread takes this to the next level and guides readers through Sherman's Untitled #571, 2016, directing their attention to color, texture, line, shape, and focus. VERDICT This fascinating investigation of a significant U.S. artist will prompt endless discussions on art history, photography, pop culture, gender roles, and even selfies. A title not to be missed.—Della Farrell, School Library Journal