I like seeing books where friendships are highlighted--friendships where people do NOT look the same. I didn't know Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe were friends but I think that's cool! I also did like that this book did NOT highlight all the negative/sadness that was Marilyn. (But then again might not be exactly appropriate in a children's book ;)) ( )

When I was very young I grew up knowing about Marilyn Monroe. My father liked her. Maybe my mother too but I don’t know. My parents liked her movies. Her death was when I was 8 years old is when I discovered that suicide was a thing. When I started fourth grade that was the story and many of the children were talking about it, especially one with whom I had a particularly close friendship. I didn’t learn about Ella Fitzgerald and her music until I was much older. I knew nothing at all about the friendship between these two women before I knew about this book.

It's touching and inspirational how they each helped each other and felt a lot of affection and gratitude for one another.

I am grateful to have learned a lot more about these women by reading this book. Their individual stories and their friendship are poignant and heartwarming and inspirational. I would have liked more but I guess that would be for a book geared to older readers.

The pictures are done in a realistic style that perfectly fit the book's subject matter.

At the end of the book there is a photo of Ella and Marilyn together in 1954, an informative and touching Author’s Note, a list of Primary Sources, and a list of Secondary Sources.

4-1/2 stars ( )