Lin-Manuel Miranda: Composer, Actor, and Creator of Hamilton

Gr 7 Up—All the subjects in this series are well chosen for contemporary student interest, Lin-Manuel Miranda in particular. The texts are substantial and well rounded, celebrating their subjects' many accomplishments but not shying from difficult challenges, such as an abusive stepfather in Copeland. Language is sometimes overly colloquial. Aaron Burr is a "frenemy" of Alexander Hamilton in Miranda; Copeland refers to traditional ballerinas' "super thin physiques." Photographs are ample throughout but tend too frequently to be staged celebrity shots offering little insight. Short, complementary texts provide helpful background information on topics such as Dartmouth University, Shonda Rhimes's alma mater, Miranda's political influences, or comedians such as Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor, who inspired Kevin Hart. Chapter notes are plentiful and individually numbered.