Research Databases

Biographical information about contemporary and historical people from magazine and journal articles, primary sources, videos, audio podcasts and images.

New ways to explore the endless possibilities and combinations of books, authors, genres and topics.

Full-text biographies of American, English and world authors and literary criticism of their works through scholarly journals, literary magazines, critical essays and other resources. Searchable by author, title, time period, literary movement and literary themes.

Find fiction and nonfiction recommendations for picture books, children's chapter books, young adult titles and more categorized by age and genre. Includes book reviews, book lists and teaching guides for Common Core and curriculum connections.

Find fiction or nonfiction reading recommendations for all ages by genre, appeal or similar authors. Includes recommendations from book experts, reviews, articles, reading lists, book discussion guides and more.

Provides original, comprehensive, scholar-signed critical essays on the lives and works of more than 1,400 authors. Includes biographical information that places the author's work in personal and historical context.

Features in-depth introductions to the lives of writers and critiques of their works, the history and influence of literary movements and the development of literary genres. Ideal starting point for research papers on literary works and figures.