Overview
A thrilling visual companion curated for young adults voraciously reading their way through Stephen King’s colossal corpus of creepy books.
For many young readers, when the last page of Goosebumps is turned, the first chapter of Pet Sematary begins, and a world of terror crafted by Stephen King is revealed. His novels are as fascinating as his life, and in this ultimate illustrated guidebook, young readers explore the cultural phenomenon and legacy of the King of Horror.
From scare-seeking child to impoverished university student to struggling schoolteacher to one of the best-selling—and most recognizable—authors of all time, this engrossing book reveals the evolution and influences of Stephen King’s body of work over his nearly 50-year career, and how the themes of his writing reflect the changing times and events within his life.
With tons of photos, approachable bite-size sections, and gripping details to captivate young readers, the book features:
- An extensive look into Stephen King’s books, short stories, writings, movies, series, and other adaptations ideal for the young reader to review.
- Exclusive memorabilia from Stephen King, including personal and professional correspondences, handwritten manuscript pages, book covers, movie stills, and a never-before-seen excerpts from his poems.
- Personal insights and observations such as real-life settings that inspired King’s writing, the editor who discovered him, his life as a Boston Red Sox fan, and the many awards and honors he has received.
- Motivating quotes from King from interviews over the decades.
“My childhood was pretty ordinary, except from a very early age I wanted to be scared…there was a radio program at the time called Dimension X, and my mother didn’t want me to listen to that because she felt it was too scary for me, so I would creep out of bed and go to the bedroom door and crack it open. And she loved it, so apparently, I got it from her, but I would listen at the door and then when the program was over, I’d go back to bed and quake.” —Stephen King
Young adults will covet this comprehensive yet accessible reference to their favorite horror author.
With a foreword by Sarah-Jane Smith
About the Book
| ISBN-13: | 9780760387726 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | becker&mayer! kids |
| Publication date: | 09/03/2024 |
| Pages: | 176 |
| Product dimensions: | 7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d) |
| Age Range: | 12 – 18 Years |
Order Online
- Amazon
- Amazon (UK)
- Barnes & Noble
- Books-a-Million
- Village Books – signed/personalized copies
- Indigo (Canada)
Or wherever books are sold.
Reviews
He calls himself the Santa Claus of Halloween; others call him the Horrormeister. In either case, his name is Stephen King, and this is his literary biography as told through the pages of his work—which is to say, author Vincent has listed each of his many books in chronological order and offers relevant biographical detail and critical commentary for each. Born in Portland, Maine, on September 21, 1947, King started writing stories at age 6. He made his first professional sale at 20, a short story titled “The Glass Floor” for $30. A measure of his early success is that a scant six years later, the paperback rights for his first novel, Carrie, sold for $400,000. In addition to such biographical and critical detail, Vincent offers a number of sidebar features, including graphic novels, typecast writer, and others. Also listed are adaptations of the works. What sets this book apart, however, is the copious illustrative matter included, such as photographs, handwritten manuscript pages, and book covers. An excellent book that will be, in short, catnip for King enthusiasts. — Michael Cart (Booklist)
Fans of Stephen King or those who simply want to learn more about him, will find a treasure chest of information and insights in these pages and that in an engaging way.
This book starts at the beginning of Stephen King’s career and follows each work he’s released. Along the way, his life at the time the book was written or published comes to light…as well as interesting information surrounding each book. It takes a peek not only at his personal life, to a certain extent, but some of his thoughts, influences, struggles, and experiences. It hits the emotional and practical side of writing. This isn’t a writing guide, but rather, recounts the experiences he had during the release of all of these works…both the good and the bad.
I did appreciate that the timeline flows with the release of his various tales. It keeps a close bond to him as a writer, without feeling like a personal life story or like a writer’s how-to, either. Instead, it keeps the attention on his stories while exposing everything that went into them…or the things happening around that time which added influence. And it’s entertaining. The writing doesn’t over-exaggerate, nor does it fall into the danger of becoming dry. This makes it very engaging for the intended age group (and adults as well).
I do recommend this not only for Stephen King fans but also for class themes surrounding his works. Plus, it works great for usual, curious readers. — Bookworm for Kids
Although written for young readers, Stephen King fans of all ages will find much to enjoy about this book. It takes you back to King’s early childhood, a time when he first realized he enjoyed being frightened, and takes us through his life and career with an interesting look at his books and adaptations of them at the end. While I’m not a regular reader of King, I mean, I don’t like being scared, I know I was astonished to see it all in one place, in order, of his writings. Heck, the author even mentions some of King’s college aged, more or less, poetry, as well as his various collaborations throughout the years. There are lots and lots of photos, too, not just of King but of his book covers and some of the memorable movie scenes adapted from his work, including two of my favorites, “Stand By Me” (from “The Body”) and “The Green Miles” with Tom Hanks. I’m not sure I even knew he was responsible for “Shawshank Redemption” so, well, make that three of my favorites.
In any case, if you want to know where King was in both his life and, so to speak, his head at the time of his multitude of writings, you’ll find this book fascinating. I know I did. It was all quite fascinating. I’ll also note that while it doesn’t delve into the troubled areas of his life, it doesn’t sugar-coat it, either, making for genuinely revealing information. I really came to appreciate his wife, too, throughout the story. Most know the story of how she,Tabitha/Tabby (whose photo is shared), rescued his first major hit, “Carrie” from the trash, we also learn how it eventually found a publisher. And, oh, we also learn that while “Carrie” made King famous, he’d also been writing for some twenty years and been published, just not to acclaim. And, and, and….so much more.
The author does an excellent job not only delving into King’s life but connecting life experiences that sparked ideas and even made their way into various novels over the years. You’ll definitely come away with a new, improved idea of what is in each and how it came to be, not to mention reminded that despite his prolific ability to write book after book, King never found it easy. That’s a good reminder for aspiring writers. Nope, it isn’t easy. And, oh, speaking of the writing process, one of my personal favorite books by King, his “On Writing”, came about after the accident that came close to taking his life. Details of that are in the book.
Bottom line, if you’re a fan or simply curious about Stephen King and his books/writing process, this is an excellent start. Not only are there great photos but the author gives us a selected bibliography and end notes and the appendix is broken down to include books and adaptations. Seeing that lengthy list written down in one place is impressive, at least it was to me. Thanks #QuartoPublishingGroup and #becker&meyer / #becker&meyerKids for sharing this early, fun look into Stephen King’s life and work. I had no idea. I’m feeling the urge to go back and reread some of those books now that I know more about where they came from. — Sunhusky’s Daisy Reads
There is a very cool children’s book coming out next month.
Bev Vincent, who had previously written an extensive title all about Stephen King, is set to release a book once again focusing on King, but – this time – doing so for a younger audience.
Stephen King: His Life, Work and Influences does exactly what the title suggests. Vincent writes a brief biography on the author and then takes the reader through King’s career.
As you’d expect, a lot of King’s famous works are highlighted. These range from the earliest novels right through to King’s modern stories.
There are tons of interesting facts for children to read alongside the detail about the author’s printed work as well as the movies and TV shows which spun from them.
I loved the amount of pictures in this book. There are many I hadn’t seen before. So, I suppose, it could be said this book satisfied an adult King fan as well.
I recommend the book for all. Especially the target audience because I know – without a shadow of a doubt – I would have loved this book even more had I been a young reader looking for a gateway into the world of Stephen King. — David Taylor
When it comes to those I refer to as scholars of Stephen King, several names come to mind. Bev Vincent is one of them. Bev has spent decades writing about Stephen King, his works, and his career.
Bev has written two books about Stephen King’s epic series, The Dark Tower. In September 2022, Bev Vincent wrote the monstrosity-sized book, “The Stephen King Ultimate Companion: A Complete Exploration of His Work, Life, and Influences.” This hardback bound book covers the entire career of what many of us consider the most affluent storyteller of our time, Stephen King. The book was quite successful and a favorite among King fans.
With each new generation, a new base of fans is born. Parents hand their books down to their children, teachers study the works of famous authors, and a new group of fans run to the movie theater for the latest film adaptation of these great novels.
Many of those longtime fans are happy to share their recommendations of King’s works to start those new fans along. The most recommended works are Stand By Me, The Talisman, Eyes of the Dragon, or maybe one of King’s short story collections. However, no matter the way a new fan comes by discovering King’s work, they won’t be disappointed.
But what about the man himself? What about his life, how he became a bestselling author, and his rise to fame? Bev Vincent had the brilliant idea of answering that question with his new book, Stephen King: His Life, Work, and Influences – Young Reader’s Edition.
This new book has informative qualities. It trims the fat and gives young readers the core history of Stephen King, his life from rags to riches, his works from short stories to bestsellers, and it covers life events from celebratory to tragedy. This new edition speaks to young readers in a way that keeps their interest and makes them want to learn more about the author, Stephen King.
Packed full of exclusive photos, the Young Readers’ Edition is the ultimate book for any reader who wants to go past the stories and novels and learn more about Stephen King, which includes King’s latest works up to 2024 and the most recent events in his life, which is a plus for any fan.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Stephen King: His Life, Work, and Influences – Young Readers’ Edition as it reminds me not only that Bev Vincent is a master of his craft and one of the best references for Stephen King’s history but also this reminded me why I became a fan of Stephen King myself.
For anyone who wants to introduce the life and works of Stephen King to their child, student, or any young reader, I highly recommend Stephen King: His Life, Work, and Influences – Young Readers’ Edition — Anthony W. Northrup.
Bev Vincent gives us a quick rundown of Stephen King’s life through the decades. Alongside photographs and pseudonyms, we get inside looks at some of his novels.
I’m a huge fan of Stephen King so I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I gobble up every tidbit I can. Vincent’s writing is straight-forward. There are plenty of side-bars with additional information from King’s philanthropy to how he is even a tour in Bangor, Maine.
The real star of this book is cover and interior designer Kim Winscher. The entire book is eye-catching and engaging. From the little hands in the book to the full color pictures to how the sections are designed. What will keep the reader engaged and intrigued to flip the page is the design of the book. Kudos to Winscher.
A Stephen King fan will love this book. It’s a reader’s own little Easter Egg. — Mx. Phoebe
Vincent’s book offers a comprehensive introduction to Stephen King’s life and work. This young reader’s edition provides a clear and engaging overview of King’s career, from his early life to his most recent works. The book explores King’s influences, including his childhood experiences and favorite authors, and delves into the themes and motifs frequently appearing in his stories. Additionally, the text includes a discussion of King’s impact on popular culture. This informative, engaging, and accessible book is an excellent resource for young readers interested in Stephen King or wanting to learn more about horror and suspense fiction. However, older readers who want a concise overview of King’s life and work will also enjoy the book. The book is well-organized and easy to follow, and Vincent’s writing style is engaging and accessible. Illustrations and photos help readers visualize King’s life and work. While the book provides a good overview of King’s career, it may not be as in-depth as some readers would like. The text focuses primarily on King’s popular works rather than his lesser-known or experimental ones. However, the book is a valuable resource for young readers interested in learning more about Stephen King and makes a great starting point for young fans of King’s work — Rachel Long
Author Vincent’s a King superfan, and believe you me, it shows. This compendium of anecdotes and overviews of his career, and the stories he’s offered us, is exactly what a young fan will love. Plenty of not-so-young fans too, I’ll wager.
I’m not a Constant Reader, as he addresses his immense and well-earned audience online, more of a dibble-dabbler. The manner in which Author Vincent hits the life and career high points will make this a deeply welcome gift to your King-stan teen or tween. (Officially. We won’t discuss what you do with it before wrapping it up.)
The design and visuals are very much up to the job, as one would expect from a Quarto Group imprint. Clear, concise, not too busy to fail in its primary duty of informing as well as keeping one’s interest. I’ll stress that, even on my tablet, the design’s readable and very appealing. Solid design, appealing to a recipient fan, very intentionally a gift book. It’s a terrific value at this price! — Expendable Mudge