Like all writers, Catherine loves a good story. The past is filled with incredible stories, and these are the ones Catherine likes to tell in her nonfiction books, most of which are works of American history or biography. Sigmund Freud: Pioneer of the Mind was the Sydney Taylor Book Award winner for 2001. E. E. Cummings: A Poet's Life was one of YALSA's Best Books for Young Adults in 2008. Her interest in African-American history led Catherine to write This Our Dark Country: The American Settlers of Liberia, which was a recommended title for the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. This interest also inspired Africans in America, which examines the lasting influence of enslaved Africans on American culture, and Paul Laurence Dunbar: Portrait of a Poet, the life story of a significant contributor to America's literary heritage. Catherine has also written several reference works that connect today's readers with people from the past, such as Working in America, which tells the story of laborers in the United States from the time of the Revolutionary War through the present, using hundreds of quotes from the workers themselves. Poverty in America looks at the poor in American history-and society's attitude toward them-through eyewitness accounts. Catherine says, "When I write I am always learning, and it pleases me to share what I have learned with you, my reader."
Selected Reviews of Catherine's Books
This Our Dark Country: The American Settlers of Liberia
Catherine Reef
In This Our Dark Country, Maryland author Catherine Reef tells the little-known story of American settlers in Liberia. In 1822, a colony was established in West Africa for free African Americans. Reef traces the history of this colony, sharing the black settlers' dreams and hopes, and looks at contemporary Liberia, an independent country troubled by war and poverty. Period illustrations, photos and quotes dot the text, providing images and voices from the past. As with her many award-winning biographies for young readers, Reef brings history alive with her accessible, carefully researched narrative. This is nonfiction at its best. 2002, Clarion, $17.00. Ages 9 up. Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature).
Sigmund Freud: Pioneer of the Mind
Catherine Reef
The father of modern day psychoanalysis is indisputably Sigmund Freud. The very mention of his name frequently results in heated discussion. Reef's book takes an in-depth look at the life of Freud and examines the man. Wonderful black-and-white, archival photographs combined with quotes from Freud throughout the book, providing the reader with an intimate look at this man. Freud pioneered a radical approach to treating patients with mental illness in the early 1900s. Rather than utilizing the tools of the time that included everything from soothing baths to electroshock therapy, Freud chose to listen to his patients. He often advised his patients to "Say what's on your mind." This was the beginning of a new and controversial, to this day, way of treating patients. The book walks the reader through the trials of life that helped mold the man we know as Sigmund Freud. A comprehensive glossary at the end of the book defines terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader. This well-researched biography provides a true insight into Sigmund Freud. 2001, Clarion Books, $19.00. Ages 10 up. Rita Karr (Children's Literature).
E.E. Cummings
Catherine Reef
This fascinating biography of a major American poet of the 20th century relates his life to the social and political context of the times. He was called by his middle name, Estlin, and preferred that his name be written as "E. E. Cummings" using customary capitalization. While a young man at Harvard, he was already writing his unusual form of poetry and painting in the cubist style. A helpful formula for understanding his poetry is presented: "Sometimes, he pried a word open with a phrase wrapped in parentheses to show that two events or thoughts occur at the same time." He is portrayed as a delightful, entertaining boy who never grew up. His two marriages ended in divorce, and he never married his later companion, Marion Morehouse. He and his first wife had a child, Nancy, whom he acknowledged only later in life, but never fulfilled her desire for a father. In Paris and Greenwich Village, he partied with the notables of his day. His friends included Hart Crane, William Carlos Williams, and Ezra Pound. Later he settled on his family's farm. At 56, having published several books of poetry, he began to win prizes and have financial security. His mother had continually furnished support. This book is a gem for anyone interested in this poet, his poetry, or his times. 2006, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Company, $21.00. Ages 14 to adult. Carlee Hallman (Children's Literature).
Alone In the World: Orphans and Orphanages in America
Catherine Reef
Catherine Reef, author of such fine biographies as Walt Whitman and John Steinbeck, here takes on the "biography" of an American institution. Framing her story with the reminiscences of an alumnus of New York's Hebrew National Orphan Home, she then casts back to the evolution of U. S. orphanages from early 19th century poorhouses. Along the way, the reader is given a brief social history of the country in the 19th and early 20th centuries, not to mention many anecdotes about the ills and mistreatment of children under such "benign" asylum care. Of particular interest are the chapters on the creation and work of the Children's Aid Society in 1853 (of ubiquitous Orphan Train notoriety), and the later Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (1875) as a spin-off of the SPCA. Also fascinating are chapters on the evolution of reform schools, and on orphanages created specifically for the children of dead Civil War soldiers. Reef concludes with an update on child-oriented legislation through the 20th century, which eventually phased out orphanages in preference to foster care. The book is beautifully produced, with wonderfully evocative period photographs and illustrations (the most heartrending from The Police Gazette, of course), and Reef sets the mood of each chapter with a prefatory poem of pure Victorian sentiment. Gag you well might, but only think on the poor children destined to be prisoners within the finer classes' concepts of charity and propriety. A good orphan story is unbeatable, and today's kids should eat up these true ones. For the British orphan experience, see Marthe Jocelyn's excellent A Home for Foundlings. 2005, Clarion, $18.00. Ages 10 up. Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
Learning from Biography
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Every biographical subject has experienced personal challenges. If we look at how these people coped and overcame, then we may learn lessons to apply to our own lives. Catherine also explores how writers and other artists have used their creativity to deal with troubling social issues (e.g., Walt Whitman's poems on the Civil War; Gordon Parks's photographs of segregation). Questions are welcome.
Upper Elementary School and Middle School.
Developing a Portrait through Biography
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A biography is more than an accumulation of facts. Catherine discusses the art of creating a biography: how the biographer creates a vivid setting, fleshes out the subject, presents the subject's work (especially pertinent to her biographies of authors and composers), chooses illustrations, and makes other aesthetic decisions. This talk can also be tailored to a particular subject (e.g., Creating a Biographical Portrait of Sigmund Freud). Questions are welcome.
Middle School and High School; Adults.
The Art of Writing Nonfiction
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Catherine discusses the process of writing a work of nonfiction, from research to finished book. She discusses choosing a topic or person as the focal point of the book, working with and selecting primary sources, defining the setting and viewpoint of the book, the importance of accuracy, choosing illustrations, and writing style. Questions are welcome.
Upper Elementary, Middle School and High School.
Catherine will conduct up to 4 presentations in a day. She prefers one to two classes at a time for a total of up to 50 students. Presentations last from 40 to 50 minutes. Her presentations are designed for upper elementary, middle school, high school, and adults. She will conduct small workshops or make presentations to larger groups at conferences.
Costs: $500 for a half day (1 or 2 presentations); $750 for full day (maximum of 4 presentations); travel, lodging and other expenses to be paid by the booking organization.
To learn more about Catherine and her publications please visit www.childrensbookguild.org/reef.htm.
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