Starring Steven Spielberg: The Making of a Young Filmmaker

Before Steven made films, he watched them. Naturally inventive with a vivid imagination, he was known for creating stories inspired by the world around him. But his passion wasn’t driven just by entertainment—as the only Jewish boy in his neighborhood, he was often bullied and felt the sting of antisemitism. Life also felt off-balance as his parents’ marriage wasn’t stable. Films, and the magic they contained, became a necessary escape. From his early childhood to his first days on a movie set, this biography captures the unique ways Steve’s memories influenced his career and helped him to become the celebrated filmmaker that he is today. 

Like all of us, as a child, Spielberg wanted to fit in with his peers. This was made difficult because of his parents’ unstable marriage, which caused the family to move frequently. “Wherever he lived, he felt like an outsider, like an alien from another planet.” He was also bullied because he was Jewish, but he didn’t let this get in the way of his dream. People were surprised “when he gave the role of squadron leader to a tough school kid who taunted him for being Jewish. The boy’s face was perfect for the part, and that’s what mattered most to Spielberg.” 

Steven Spielberg made some of the most influential films, including Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Starring Steven Spielberg: The Making of a Young Filmmaker explains how Steven Spielberg’s childhood experiences were integrated into his movies. For example, Steven “loved playing pranks—especially on his three sisters. He told them stories about a twenty-foot-tall bogeyman who peered into windows.” Eventually, he put this story into his movie Poltergeist.   

Learning about Steven Spielberg will be inspiring for readers of all ages. As a child and teen, Steven made movies and studied the effect it had on the audience. “As neighbors watch the screen, Steven watches the neighbors. Why did they laugh? When did they scream? What made the characters interesting?” This allowed Steven to learn and grow as an artist. 

Despite Steven’s efforts, every film school he applied to rejected him. However, not even this could stop him from achieving his dreams. Steven’s ability to experiment with a camera, write scripts, and constantly learn showcases the importance of dedication and perseverance. Despite difficulties, Steven became “a producer, cofounded a movie company, worked with celebrated actors, won major awards, and influenced a new generation of filmmakers.” 

Although Starring Steven Spielberg: The Making of a Young Filmmaker is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than the child reading it independently for the first time. The full-color illustrations are realistic and may scare younger children. For instance, when Steven was a child, he imagined “tree shadows on the bedroom wall became giant claws. He thought demons were calling him from the TV static.” The illustrations bring this scene to life, including the “claws” on the wall. The book’s length and vocabulary make it best suited for older readers. Some pages feature up to nine complex sentences that utilize advanced vocabulary, including terms such as vaudeville, spine-tingling, antisemitism, and brotherhood. Reading the book may spark readers’ curiosity about Steven’s films. However, they may not be mature enough to watch some of his movies, such as Schindler’s List, Poltergeist, and Saving Private Ryan. 

Starring Steven Spielberg: The Making of a Young Filmmaker is an entertaining and educational book that encourages readers to live life with passion. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the movie industry. However, anyone who has watched one of Steven’s films will see how pieces of Steven’s life are incorporated into his films, and this gives both the real-life stories and the films more depth. Any adult seeking a book to inspire children to dream big should add Starring Steven Spielberg: The Making of a Young Filmmaker to their reading list. People interested in Steven’s life will find more motivational content in the book Hispanic Star: Selena Gomez. 

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• “Steven tackled antisemitism on a larger scale when he made Schindler’s List, about a Nazi who saved the lives of 1,200 Jewish people during the Holocaust.” 
• While a child living in Arizona, “some neighbors were not neighborly toward Jewish families. The Spielberg family was singled out with antisemitic slurs and threats. It became so stressful that Steven began to deny his Jewish heritage.” 
• While at school, “Bullies circled him like hungry sharks. School became more about survival and less about learning.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• Because the Spielberg family was Jewish, they were “singled out with antisemitic slurs and threats.”  
• Kids teased Steven at school. “Kids made fun of his skinny frame and awkward features. They called him Spielberg, and it hurt.” 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content  

• Even though Steven was Jewish, he “began to deny his Jewish heritage” because he wanted to fit in.