Runaway Girl: The Artist Louise Bourgeois

by Jan Greenberg, Sandra Jordan

Aimed at teenagers. Well illustrated. An intimate look at the life and work of sculptor Louise Bourgeois.

Genres: Art, Biography, Nonfiction

80 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Jan Greenberg is an award-winning author celebrated for her books about art and artists. Her collaborations with Sandra Jordan include Action Jackson and Christo and Jean-Claude: Through the Gates and Beyond, both honored for excellence in nonfiction. Vincent Van Gogh, Portrait of an Artist earned a Sibert Honor and became a Common Core text exemplar. She later co-authored Ballet for Martha and The Mad Potter, each receiving starred reviews and Sibert Honors. In 2013, she and Jordan received the Children’s Book Guild Award. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this after seeing the Spider, the Mistress and the Tangerine (which I loved), a documentary about L.B.'s life and work. This book is the junior high school book report of that movie. It glosses over practically everything and describes L.B.'s famous spiders as "a welcoming, even comically sight on this busy plaza. There was not arachnophobia here." Of course...those strange spindly-legged creatures hobbling toward you are just a simple, sweet representation of maternal warmth. No reason to explore that subject matter in any more depth. Nope.

I did love this quote, by L.B. herself. "To reminisce and woolgather is negative. You have to differentiate between memories. Are you going to them or are they coming to you? If you are going to them, you are wasting time. Nostalgia is not productive. If they come to you, they are the seeds for sculptures."

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of reading about artists and their art. I'm not much of a fun of modern or abstract art. I've made it through this entire series of books. And I guess I'm done. I found this one boring. Ponderous. And most of the art just uninteresting, unappealing - though some of the marble works displayed were better. I get that I clearly don't understand art. This one is courtesy of an interlibrary loan from Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, Oregon. 2.5 of 5

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is aimed at the teen reader I took to this book like paint to a wall. Never having heard of Louise Bourgeois, but perhaps recalling the spider I took a leap of faith in picking up this read, I am glad I did. Well written with much information to gather on an artist I am sure to look into further.

[Jolie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but intimate look into this artist’s very fascinating life and the art it inspired.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great introduction to a very interesting artist. It would be good for middle school and high school students, but also for adults. I recommended this to my Dad who is a volunteer lecturer at Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI. The park has one of her spiders.

[Chris Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

In telling the story of Louise Bourgeois, Greenberg and Jordan show students how an artist's life affects their work. Learning about Bourgeois' parents sheds light on her unique style as a sculptor and an artistic trailblazer. Witness the giant spider as figure of maternal protection.

[Alexandria Jakupovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise Bourgeois is responsible for breaking down barriers in a male dominated art field. In this biography, we encounter beautiful vivid images of the artist’s sculptures as well as how she tries to make sense of her troubled childhood.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful introduction to a complex artist. Louise died in May 2010. She was 99 years old. This interview was conducted when Louise was 92 and is a fresh look at a life examined though her art. The book is filled with her simplistic but explicit works.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine biography of an unusual individual and artist, with people and art photos, important dates,How to Look at a Sculpture, Where to view Artwork by Louise Bourgeois, Glossary and Bibliography. A good book for older students wanting to explore pottery, modern art and a unique woman.

[Vicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Life of sculpturess Louise Bourgeois, bad!!