Member Reviews

I learned a lot I never knew. I love this series and what they are trying to do by encouraging young women. Rowling is definitely a story of a fighter and I'm so glad she did because she gave us such a beloved series that has gotten me through some hard times.

Was this review helpful?

Like other books in this series, it is a fun little introduction to inspiring people. Definitely a great way to introduce kids to biographies and a nice read for adults too. I would recommend all the books in this series.

Was this review helpful?

I found these books to be fine, but not in the same class as other similar books like the Little People Big Creams series. Whilst I'm sure there will be an audience for them, for me they just didn't seem to clearly slot into any one group of readers, thus limiting their likely appeal. They feel like they will sell in the moment, but quickly be forgotten.

Was this review helpful?

A really enjoyable biography about JK Rowling. Worth reading for any Harry Potter fan. It guides readers from her childhood, through failure to her overwhelming International success.

Was this review helpful?

'Work It, Girl: J.K. Rowling' by Caroline Moss is part of a new series made to help inspire young women. I'm neither young, nor a woman, and I found it very inspiring.

The story of JK Rowling, or Jo as she is referred to here, is one I was familiar with. Here it is presented along with quotes from Jo, and shows her determination to create. The inspiration for Harry Potter is discussed along with how long the story stayed with her. At one point, she quits a job with a very long commute to keep working on the series that would make her famous. The book finishes with 10 takeaways from the life of J.K. Rowling, like 'If you work hard now, it will pay off later' and 'Give back!'

I found this a very inspiring read for younger (and older readers). The book is filled with really nice papercut illustrations, and the quotes add a nice touch to reinforce the message of the book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Childrens, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

Was this review helpful?

5★
“ ‘A little girl named Alice approves, so we’re going to move forward with your book,’ he told Jo.
‘But don’t quit your day job. There just isn’t a lot of money in children’s book publishing I’m afraid.’ ”

I think that falls into the category of Famous Last Words.

J.K. Rowling needs no introduction to readers around the world. Or at least her most famous protagonist doesn’t: Harry Potter, boy wizard. This is an excellent addition to the Work It Girl Series about successful women who’ve persevered against all kinds of obstacles to achieve what they set out to do. In J.K.’s case, one obstacle was not using her real name, Joanne, but changing it to initials, since the publisher thought it would be a book for boys.

First, we are introduced to her childhood and her passion for stories and reading to her sister, her reluctant audience! She became obsessed with writing when she fell in love with Jessica Mitford’s Hons and Rebels, but she was never a good student. Her teachers recognised her potential, but Jo just wouldn’t live up to it.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption: Young Jo Rowling, ‘hiding’ in class

We are taken through her life, her mother’s illness (MS), her lacklustre university days, and her early jobs, commuting by train. All the while, she’s had a character and a story simmering away in her mind, but so far, it’s been another unrealised potential. But time on the train set her to daydreaming about this kid.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption: Perhaps some inspiration came from the train journey.

She began working on her story and writing, but she told absolutely nobody about it. She kept it to herself, worried that if she were teased, she’d quit.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption: Jo, dreaming of broomsticks and wizards!

She became so engrossed in her story, that the train became her haven. She loved her work at Amnesty International, but the train was her private office.

“She couldn’t wait to get to the train. The story was exploding from her brain onto the page. She couldn’t write fast enough to get everything down.”

The clever illustrations are all made of paper, except for a couple of photos of Jo herself. I liked this one on the train.

My Goodreads review includes: Photograph of Jo Rowling on the train

We are shown her moving to Portugal, marrying, having a baby, divorcing, and returning broke to live with her sister in Scotland. Baby Jessica (named for Jessica Mitford, her inspiration), was a poor sleeper, but would finally doze happily in a coffee shop, so Jo snatched what time she could to write. This is the story most of us know – the now-famous J.K. Rowling writing in a coffee shop with a fractious baby dozing in her pram. So much for needing a special studio!

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption: Jo at work in her ‘office’ with Jessica sleeping (we hope) in her pram

“Then, one rainy night in London, the manuscript landed in the hands of a man named Barry Cunningham at Bloomsbury. He read it once, then again. He loved the writing but he knew he needed the intended audience to get it as well. Wizards? Hagrid? Muggles? The Mirror of Erised?”

Guess which expert he asked? His little girl! He gave her a chapter, and she was so excited that it confirmed what he already knew. And did you notice something? She was a little girl, not a little boy, and she loved it!

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption: Barry Cunningham and his daughter Alice, rejoicing

I could stop here, and say the rest is history, but I’d be doing a disservice to the widespread appeal of Harry and his friends. People of all ages in all countries have enjoyed their adventures, including me.

I was buying one of the early books for a granddaughter and I mentioned to the cashier that I would be borrowing it, as would my daughter, and the young cashier said she and her mum and grandma all shared it too! Note again, we are all females as well. So much for boys’ own adventures, eh?

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption: Some of the people who queue for ages for books and films

Jo Rowling now addresses audiences and students, encouraging them as she would have encouraged herself.

“ ‘I would tell my 21-year-old self that personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a checklist ...’ she told the students. ‘Your qualifications are not your life ... Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone’s total control.’ ”

What a writer, what a woman, what a role model. She’s not forgotten her Amnesty and social justice roots either. She’s given away a tremendous amount of her wealth and founded a neurological medical centre in honour of her mother.

I think both the author and illustrator of this book have done a great job of bringing Rowling’s story to life with a hope of encouraging youngsters to have a go, find your passion, follow your dream.

Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted and shared pictures.

Was this review helpful?

Work It, Girl: J. K. Rowling by Caroline Moss is a great example how resourceful a good word can be.. And even more that it does not matter how long it is,

Was this review helpful?

To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of JK Rowling. Mostly because of her Tweets, the diversity issues in the Harry Potter series, and of course the authorial intent problematic.
However, I am a huge Harry Potter fan and grew up reading the books and watching the movies.

This biography gave an interesting insight into Rowling’s life. The language was pretty simple which makes this book perfect for kids. The graphics were great - some kind of paper cut style I can’t really describe.
While I could’ve done without the “10 key lessons from J.K. Rowling’s life” part at the end of the book, I liked the little question section. The questions could be answered after reading the book in class, so the book is kinda interactive.

That being said, this was an inspiring biography with beautiful illustrations, perfect for children and adults alike. I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series.

- I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -

Was this review helpful?

I’ve always been a huge fan of J.K. Rowling. I have fond memories of reading the first Harry Potter books with my dad when they first came out.

Her life story is a huge inspiration to me, as a writer. I was familiar with a lot of her story, but I still found this book fascinating. Jo created her own success by working hard at what she enjoyed doing. She wrote when she had time, including while her daughter was napping. She continued to work hard even after she became successful. She also never forgot her humble beginnings, by giving back to those in need.

The books in this series are beautiful. I love the creative graphics. The images look like they are created with layered pieces of paper. There are many pages just made up of just pictures, with short quotes from J.K. Rowling.

I love this series! There are currently two books, one about Oprah Winfrey and the other about J.K. Rowling. I can’t wait to see what other inspirational women are featured in this series.

Thank you Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A concise, but fulfilling biography of one of the most popular modern writers sheds some light on J.K. Rowling's early attempts to publish her book on a certain young wizard and inspires other writers to keep on doing their job no matter what. Nicely illustrated and full of ingenious quotes from J.K. herself, Caroline Moss' little book is one to cherish and adore - not just by Harry Potter fans, but by anyone who loves great writing! #Jkrowling #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I have been a huge fan of Harry Potter since 1997. I still remember waiting in a huge queue - hours before midnight - waiting for the newest book to come out. Needles to say, Harry Potter would not exist without Joanne Rowling.

This biographical book describes the moments in Joanne's life that lead to the publication of the first book. Though it is primarily aimed at a very young audience, I very much enjoyed reading it. The illustrations are eye-catching and Joanne's quotes give the book a very realistic feel.

The ARC of the book was provided to me by NetGalley. All opinions are mine.

Was this review helpful?

As an avid Harry Potter book fan I was eager to read this book. I find J K Rowlings life truly inspiring and use her story in my day to day job when teaching teenagers. I will be using this book as a positive message to reinforce how you can do anything if you pit your mind to it - which is an important message for both children, teenagers and even adults. Brilliant book.

Was this review helpful?

The ‘Work It, Girl’ books are a wonderful series of biographies of women. From the same group that publishes the Little People Big Dreams series I reviewed a few days ago, these books are for a slightly older audience than the LPBD books.

Written as biographies of women for older elementary and middle-grade readers – these books show you how these women overcame obstacles, worked through (well, literal) walls! I enjoyed the reads too!

The artwork in these books is super-cool – paper-collages which will inspire the reader to create! While the books themselves will of course be a true inspiration too, prompting the readers to challenge themselves, and work smart to achieve their dreams like the women featured in the book have done!

Title: Work It, Girl: Boss the bestseller list like J. K. Rowling
Author: Caroline Moss
Illustrator: Sinam Erkas
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Childrens
Genre: Children’s Nonfiction
Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Hardcover: 64 pages
Source: Digital review copy via NetGalley

J.K. Rowling’s story from when she was little Jo, an avid reader who aspired to be just like her favoritest writer when she grew up, to who she is today, is one that will inspire everyone. She succeeded despite the odds, she food-stamped her way to success, she wrote in the gaps between naps (of her little one) – and today millions have enjoyed the story of the most famous wizard boy who did not know he was one!

“Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” – J.K.Rowling

Her story lets us know that if we persist, we can achieve greatness. It is a wonderful way to inspire young writers (and others too) to pursue their dreams; and keep going.

“You control your own life, your own will is extremely powerful.” – J.K.Rowling

And I totally loved the chapter titles – very imaginative! What’s not to love titles like ‘From Rags to ‘Richest”, or one that questions if F stands for Future rather than Failure; and a Chapter 9 3/4 too!

I am hoping the publishers will include more GirlBosses in this series; this book is empowering, inspirational, and accessible to all audiences.

In addition, I loved those 10 life lessons from the featured woman included at the end of the book; along with questions to reflect on and a list of resources for further reading. The books are sprinkled with quotes that inspire – quotes from the featured women and quotes from others that seem to perfectly fit with their life.

And the illustrations – they are simply gorgeous. The paper-cut collage style illustrations in bright colors create a pop-out effect that is sure to appeal to, well, just about everyone!

I love the ‘Work It, Girl’ books – a must-read and a great addition to classroom and home libraries for boys and girls.

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the digital review copies of the books above. These are my honest opinions of each of the books.

Was this review helpful?

Inspirational and easy to read and to learn from. It will motivate children to be great and go after their dreams.

Was this review helpful?

This is a Bright and wonderful illustrated this small book called J. K. Rowling by Caroline Moss was. This is a great little book and its about a wonderful author that made many children and adults happy by creating a wonderful wizard called Harry Potter who lots of us Loved and followed. So this book introduces you to the magic behind the creation. I loved this small book and so did my nephew

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a short biography about J.K. Rowling. The illustrations are cute and different from other types of books. I think this series is geared toward older elementary school children.

Was this review helpful?

An inspiring and informative short biography about J.K. Rowling's life thus far. Fans of the Harry Potter series will definitely enjoy reading about the struggles she went through before becoming a best selling author and creating a wonderful magical world that would change the lives of so many.

Was this review helpful?

Adore this Publisher's collection of books like this. Loved this story. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and a primary school teacher and am just blown away by the stories and illustrations! Amazing

Was this review helpful?

J.K. Rowling, author of the hit book series Harry Potter, is a household name around the world. From children to adults almost everyone has read the books or seen the movies. But how much do most readers really know about the author behind the title; the woman behind the author?

J.K. Rowling: Boss the Bestseller List Like is an inspiring short non-fiction book about the life of Harry Potter author Joanne Kathleen Rowling or Jo is she is referred to in the book. It is an easy read that covers Rowling's life from childhood to post Harry Potter in a way that proves to be motivational.

The eye-catching graphics add to the story and coupled with some of J.K. Rowling's most inspiring quotes there are pages that look like they should be posters on a J.K. Rowling or even a classroom motivation feature wall.

J.K. Rowling: Boss the Bestseller List Like is a book that should be included in all school libraries and I can't wait to read similar books on other inspirational role models from the same series.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this little biography of J.K.Rowling.
Tons of information about one of my favorite writers of all times.
I especially love the colorful Illustrations.

Was this review helpful?