Michael J. Fox: A Little Golden Book Biography

Gr 2-4–Using an age-appropriate, matter-of-fact telling, the author covers how Michael J. Fox was small for his age, but perfect when that allowed him to play characters who were younger than he was in real life. As he grew older, he landed even more roles, including teenaged Marty McFly in 1985’s Back to the Future, the biggest movie of the year. Following a long career but still a young man, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; he kept acting while making donations to and creating a foundation for Parkinson’s research. Although the book is short and colorful, it leans heavily on Fox’s pop cultural influence for its interest, which may not resonate with readers too young for or unfamiliar with the TV shows and movies mentioned. Older readers may find the information helpful, though they will balk at the format and perhaps at the illustrations, which are done in a realistic style but seem stiff and stilted. However, Abeille adeptly captures the atmosphere of the shows and movies mentioned in the book.