Women of Note Artists/Photographers | Athletes/Aviators | Brave | Business | Dancers/Singers | Musicians | Public Service/Politics/Human Rights Advocates | Science/Medicine/Research | Writers Artists/Photographers Dorothea Lange Mike Venezia    In the "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists"series, Mike Venezia has made a career out of writing basic but solid introductions to the art world's big names. An artist himself, Venezia's gimmick is to sprinkle cartoon-like commentaries along with the Real McCoy. Sometimes these efforts leave the reader wondering why the space wasn't used for more reproductions of real art, but in the case of Lange, it works. Venezia's double-page spread explaining the Great Depression to youngsters is brilliantly keyed right to their level, as is his cartoon that succinctly explains Lange's divorce. Dorothea Lange's photography takes over from there, as it should. Her work is gripping--from a study of her own polio-stricken foot to her unforgettable images of poverty-stricken migrant workers. The end result is a successful introduction to Lange's work and to the art of photography. 2000, Children's Press, $22.50. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0-516-22026-8 Focus: Five Women Photographers (Julia Margaret Cameron, Margaret Bourke-White, Flor Garduño, Sandy Skoglund, Lorna Simpson) Sylvia Wolf    Sylvia Wolf focuses on Five Women Photographers who stretched the boundaries of photography as an expressive medium. She includes pioneer portraitist Julia Margaret Cameron, who broke the rules of mid-18th century formal portraiture with photographs that reflect her subject's personality, and contemporary artist Lorna Simpson, born in 1960 and Sandy Skoglund, whose creations last only until she photographs them. Ms. Skoglund's cover photo of 25 Day-Glo "Radioactive Cats" will entice readers; Ms. Wolf's words will keep them reading about the women and their work. 1994, Whitman, $18.95. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Beverly Kobrin    Range and excellence mark the work of the women and the pages of Wolf's collected biographies. Each of the five women shines with excellence, creativity, and the dedication to pursue their individual visions. The book moves from the psychological intensity of nineteenth century photographs by Julia Cameron to recent photos by African-American Lorna Simpson, whose mind-altering blends of photos and words push against societal constraints. 1994, Whitman, $18.95. Ages 9 up.Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-80752-531-6 Best Books: Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 1997 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1994 ; American Library Association-Booklist; United States Not Just for Children Any More, 1998 ; Children's Book Council; United States Notable Books for Children, 1994 ; American Library Association-ALSC; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, September 1994 ; Cahners; United States School Library Journal: Best Books for Young Adults, 1994 ; Cahners; United States Georgia O'Keeffe Linda Lowery Illustrated by Rochelle Draper    It is always fascinating to see how artists change and develop over their lifetime. This story explores the creative inspirations and discoveries made by the artist Georgia O'Keeffe. She started by teaching art classes in South Carolina and then began painting imaginary shapes and describing emotions with charcoal. She had her own way of seeing things. She painted the ordinary things around her— apples, skies, barns, houses, New York buildings, big colorful flowers, old bones, and New Mexico deserts, in a new way. The author has touched on some of the controversy elicited when O'Keeffe's pictures were first shown. A good introduction to the life of Georgia O'Keeffe. There is an afterword and a list of important dates to supplement the information in the text. 1996, Carolrhoda, Ages 6 up, $ 17.50 and $5.95. Reviewer: Sally J. K. Davies ISBN: 0-8761-4860-7 ISBN: 0-8761-4898-4 Georgia O'Keeffe Robyn Montana Turner    "I found that I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say in any other way—things I had no words for." presage the wonderful story of Georgia O'Keeffe, an artist whose images of flowers and desert scenes have inspired and entranced her audience. A well-written and informative text will be an inspiration to its readers, and it is complemented by numerous reproductions of the artist's work. 1991, Little Brown, Ages 8 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Linda Kelly    Robyn Montana Turner is the author of an exceptionally well produced series on women artists. The biographies contain first-rate, full-color reproductions, black-and-white illustrations and photographs written in a simple, conversational style that vivifies the artists and their works. Ms. Turner's five "Portraits of Women Artists for Children" feature Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo, Faith Ringgold, Georgia O'Keefe, and Rosa Bonheur. 1993 (orig. 1991), Little Brown, $15.95 and $6.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Beverly Kobrin ISBN: 0-316-85654-1 ISBN: 0-316-856495-7 ISBN: 0-316-85649-5 Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of the Social Studies, 1991 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States Teachers' Choices, 1992 ; International Reading Association; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Maine Student Book Award, 1992-1993 ; Maine Inspirations: Stories about Women Artists Leslie Sills    Wonderful stories about the lives of Georgia O'Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Alice Neel, and Faith Ringgold lavishly illustrated with full color reproductions of their works should inspire budding artists. O'Keeffe paints images from the New Mexican high desert while Kahlo depicts images from Mexico, Neel provides the reader with her rough expressionist portraits, while Ringgold paints images of the black people and their Harlem community. 1990 Notable Children's Book. 1989, Albert Whitman, Ages 10 to 12, $17.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-8075-3649-0 Margaret Bourke-White Catherine A. Welch Illustrations by Jennifer Hagerman    This biography is intended for kids who are just beginning to read on their own. However, it would also make a fine addition to an adult literacy or English-as-second-language program. The narrative is vivid, yet easy to comprehend, and its illustrations take readers along on the acclaimed photographer's many adventures. 1997, Carolrhoda, Ages 7 to 10, $13.13. Reviewer: Donna Freedman ISBN: 1-5750-5049-8 Margaret Bourke-White: A Photographer's Life Emily Keller    Margaret Bourke-White is best remembered for her work as a photographer for Life magazine. She was an adventurous and successful woman who traveled around the world and across the nation to capture the major events of the 1920's, '30's, and '40's. Accompanied by many photos of Margaret and by Margaret, the text provides more than just a snapshot of this photographer's life. It delves into her personal life and explains historical events that impacted her career. This biography leaves the reader with a sense of admiration for Margaret, a leader in a time when women were not career-minded or independent. 1996, Lerner, Ages 12 up, $22.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney ISBN: 0-8225-4916-6 Best Books: The Children's Literature Choice List, 1997 ; Children's Literature; United States Mary Cassatt Ernestine Giesecke    Mary Cassatt was a successful American female painter at a time when this description was almost an oxymoron. Her life, according to this book for the very young, seems smooth and bland, even though her achievements were astounding. Many of her paintings are reproduced, both in color and black and white, but they are sprinkled throughout, along with other pictures and photographs, in such a way that her own progress from a mainstream Parisian Salon exhibitor to an informal impressionist portrait painter is hard to follow. I would have preferred that the biographical ones (her home, her Paris studio) had been grouped, as well as her earlier work, so that her transition and transformation to the sensitive mother-and-child works for which she is best known could have been more ordered, leaving a more lasting impression on the reader. I also would have preferred a different portrait of Cassatt to end the book. While the befurred and befeathered black-gowned artist is quite striking as a formal study, I believe it may impress young children as somewhat frightening, not at all the image they might identify with the painter of so many loving and warm figures. 2000, Heinemann Library/Reed Educational & Professional Publishing, $19.92. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Judy Chernak ISBN: 1-5757-2955-5 Women Artists of the West: Five Portraits in Creativity and Courage Julie Danneberg    Through the lives of five women artists at the beginning of the twentieth century, this book describes the inspirational draw that the rugged beauty of the West held for many people. The five artists profiled are Maria Martinez (Native American potter), Georgia, O'Keefe (painter), Laura Gilpin (photographer), Dorothea Lange (photographer), and Mary-Russel Colton (painter). These women are worth studying for their perseverance and dedication to their art, particularly in a field that had been traditionally male. The book is written in a first person interview style with the artists, their husbands, families, and friends all describing what their lives were like. Through their stories we learn about the cultures of the West, the lives of the Native Americans, the migrant workers, the Great Depression, and the St. Louis World Fair. All of these details give the reader a sense of what life was like in the early 1900s. Each page has one or more sidebars that add additional third-person information to the stories and each section is followed by a bibliography. Unfortunately, the pages are black and white and only one image of each artist's work is included. For this reason, the book may inspire a young reader to learn more about a particular artist, but should not be looked to as a visual aid. As part of the "Notable Western Women Series" it does an excellent job describing the allure of the West and depicting the resolve these women had in pursing their passion. 2002, Fulcrum Publishing, $12.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Sarah Seage ISBN: 1-5559-1861-1 Athletes/Aviators Amelia Earhart Jill C. Wheeler    Besides being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean she was an inspiration to other women, encouraging them to take on challenges of their choosing. Her early childhood was not the typical one. She didn't wear dresses, play with dolls, or spend time learning to sew and keep house. She and her sister, Muriel, wore pants, played baseball, went fishing, and built a roller coaster. Her first exposure to airplanes was at State Fairs and Air Shows. When Amelia took a short ten-minute ride in an open-cockpit biplane she knew she was hooked. After she received her pilots license leaps and bounds were being made in the field of aviation. Charles Lindbergh had become the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The focus then turned to finding a woman who could do the same thing. Amelia jumped to it. On her first flight across the Atlantic, she was only a passenger and not the actual pilot. Regardless, this venture made her the first woman to fly across the Atlantic as either a pilot or passenger. She became a celebrity but she felt uncomfortable because she was not the one who actually flew the plane. She eventually flew solo across the Atlantic, the Pacific and was on a trip around the world when she mysteriously disappeared. The mystery still remains as to what happen to her, but her legacy as a woman of courage still stands. 2002, ABDO & Daughters, $24.21. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Leila Toledo ISBN: 1-5776-5318-1 Babe Didrikson Zaharias: All-Around Athlete Jane Sutcliffe Illustrated by Jeni Reeves   Her mother called her "Baby," not her given name of Mildred. Because she could hit a baseball so well, the neighborhood children called her "Babe" after the King of Swat, and that was the way she was known her entire life. When Babe was a teenager, she told her family that one day she would participate in the Olympics. On her way to that goal, she played on a women's basketball team, and won medals at track and field events. With her skills, determination, hard work and practice she set three world records and won two gold medals and a silver at the 1932 Olympics and earned the title, "World's Greatest Woman Athlete." Well-chosen incidents in simple sentences and large type present the story of this amazing athlete's childhood and her rise to national prominence. An afterword tells how she then went on to a career in professional golf. The soft-toned illustrations fulfill their purpose of supporting clues for the text in this beginning reader, part of the "On My Own" series. 2000, Carolrhoda, Ages 6 to 9, $19.93. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 1-57505-421-3 Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion Russell Freedman   Born into a large Norwegian immigrant family in Texas, Mildred "Babe" Didrikson went on to become a fabulous athlete, selected as the best female athlete of the first half of the 20th century. She was determined and disciplined. If Babe decided to participate in a sport, she persevered until she was the best. She won Olympic gold in track and field, played organized basketball, and helped form the Ladies' Professional Golf Association. After she was diagnosed and treated for colon cancer, Babe became an ardent spokesperson for fundraising efforts. Her life constantly tested boundaries: the limits of athletic performance, constraints on female athletes, and the social taboo against discussing cancer in public. She was brash and confident, characteristics that were unexpected in women of her time. Freedman obviously developed great respect and admiration for "the Babe" and invites us to join him in enjoying this fascinating woman. Copious photographs support the text; an annotated bibliography and index are included. 1999, Clarion, Ages 10 up, $18.00. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen ISBN: 0-395-63367-2 Bessie Coleman: First Black Woman Pilot Connie Plantz    The sky is the only place where there is no prejudice. Up there...everyone is free," said Bessie Coleman, a black woman who longed to fly airplanes. Born in 1892, however, Bessie discovered multiple barriers to her dream. At a time when blacks were lynched in America and women were second-class citizens, American flight schools would not allow her to enroll. So in 1920, Bessie traveled to France to earn her international license, a prestigious award that Amelia Earhart didn't receive until 1923. Unfortunately, when Bessie returned to America no one would hire her; they wouldn't even sell her a plane. She pursued her dream anyway, buying a plane in France and becoming a stunt pilot in order to raise money to begin her own aviation school. Despite exceptional piloting skills, Coleman enjoyed embellishing her accomplishments and charming reporters with her "good looks, sense of theater, and eloquence." A puzzling but apparently accidental airplane crash ended her life at the age of 34, but her example inspired the creation of flight schools for African-Americans. Plantz captures all the drama, pride and hardship of Bessie's eventful and inspirational life in this absorbing addition to the "African-American Biographies" series. 2001, Enslow, $20.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Betty Hicks ISBN: 0-7660-1545-9 The Best of the Best in Gymnastics Rachel Rutledge   Women gymnasts have always possessed precision, power and grace. But it was not until 1972 that a young Soviet athlete, Olga Korbut, stepped into the Olympic spotlight and changed the face of the sport forever. Until Korbut, the stars of women's gymnastics were mature, conservative, technically sound veterans in their twenties or early thirties. Today's gymnasts are young risk-takers with a keen competitive spirit and a passion for perfection. This nonfiction book profiles eight of the world's best female gymnasts-Simona Amanar, Vanessa Atler, Dominique Dawes, Ling Jie, Svetlana Khorkina, Kristen Maloney, Shannon Miller and Dominique Moceanu. Chapters giving a brief overview of the sport are also included. This is a great reference book for school or library, and a gift book for the budding gymnast! Part of the "Women of Sports" series. 1999, Millbrook, Ages 8 to 12, $22.90 and 6.95. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree ISBN: 0-7613-1321-4 ISBN: 0-7613-0784-2 Billie Jean King: Tennis Trailblazer Joanne Lannin   The younger generation may not have been lucky enough to see Billie Jean King perform on the tennis court, but that doesn't mean it can't appreciate her accomplishments. In a day when an interest in sports was considered a poor trait for a woman to possess, King not only had an interest, she had exceptional talent and a will to succeed. When her parents urged her to give up football and baseball, King complied. She took up piano and tennis instead. Later, when piano came to interfere with her tennis training, she gave that up, too. With the support of her family, she decided on her goal-"to be the best tennis player in the world." Joanne Lannin provides a complete, well-researched biography including not only King's tennis accomplishments and the infamous "Battle of the Sexes" match, but also her activities in support of equal rights off the court. Readers will appreciate the straightforward account of the then-controversial life of this "pioneer." Lannin's three-page bibliography identifies many more valuable resources for interested readers. 1999, Lerner, Ages 10 to 14, $25.26 Reviewer: Heidi Green ISBN: 0-8225-4959-X Bonnie Blair - Top Speed Skater Liza N. Burby    This volume of the "Women in Sports" series features world speed skater and Olympic medal winner, Bonnie Blair. Simple text and full-page photos follow Bonnie from her initial fascination with speed skating at age seven to her three time Olympic medal competitions. The story is not only informational, but also inspiring through Bonnie's own philosophy of doing one's own best rather seeking to win. A glossary of skating terms is included. The Bonnie Blair story is one of six in the series. 1997, The Rosen Publishing Group, Ages 5 to 8, $10.46. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger ISBN: 0-8239-5066-2 Christa McAuliffe: A Space Biography Laura S. Jeffrey   The shocking moment when onlookers and television viewers watched as the space shuttle Challenger exploded seventy-three seconds after launch is described in the first chapter of this book, and additional details of the disaster and investigation are included in a subsequent chapter. The body of the book, part of the "Countdown to Space" series, is devoted to the life story of schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe who was chosen as the first citizen passenger in the space program. Sharon Christa Corrigan was born in 1948 and as a young child and teenager was active in her school and community. In 1970, after graduating from college, she married Steve McAuliffe and began teaching. She continued to teach after the birth of their two children and in 1982 started working at Concord High School in Concord, New Hampshire. A popular and admired teacher, she created a course focusing on ordinary people in American history. At that time she had no idea that she would be chosen, as an ordinary American, to do the extraordinary. Photos of McAuliffe training for the launch are included along with childhood and family pictures. 1998, Enslow, Ages 9 to 12, $18.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford Ellen Ochoa Pamela Walker    Part of the "Welcome Books Real People" series, Ellen Ochoa is one of six titles that introduces the youngest readers to biographies. This is a nicely designed series and this book features the first Hispanic female astronaut. The 24-page format and small, square trim size make the books easy for little hands to hold. The text is consistently placed. One or two sentences in large, plain type face the bleed-to-the-edge photographs or full-color art. The illustrations reinforce the narrative, rather than enhance. Emergent readers can choose from a variety of multicultural personalities or historical figures. Each title has seven sections. The first three are devoted to the subject's life. "New Words" defines words outside the controlled vocabulary. "To Find Out More" lists further reading and web sites. The last page consists of the index and professional references. The "Real People" series has one flaw. Readers who can decode words like "astronaut" deserve meatier material than, for example, "she worked hard, but she had fun." 2001, Children's Press, $13.50. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Candice Ransom ISBN: 0-516-23433-1 ISBN: 0-516-23587-7 Ellen Ochoa: The First Hispanic Woman Astronaut Maritza Romero   When Ellen Ochoa was thirteen, she was named "outstanding seventh and eighth grade student," and excelled in music and spelling-nice, but not what you'd expect from a future astronaut. But an astronaut is exactly what she became. Unfortunately, most of the kids reading this book will never find that out because they'll put it down before they get to the end. There's good information here; it's just presented in a manner that isn't at all inspiring. And while it's clearly written for early readers, the vocabulary is better suited for preschoolers. Part of the "Great Hispanics of Our Time" series. 1997, PowerKids Press, Ages 7 to 9, $13.95. Reviewer: Armin A. Brott Encyclopedia of Sports in the United States Kevin Osborn    Athletes, events, games and milestones are catalogued here in this detailed compendium of sports in the United States. Noteworthy in its detail, this book relates various accounts of sports in this country. Focusing on a wide variety of athletes, it uses sports as a window into American society. Each chapter begins with an introduction that sets the historical stage for the period to be covered with brief information about the times, including sports of the era and significant events outside the athletic world. An impressive number of athletes are profiled. In addition to such well-known male personalities as Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Arnold Palmer, many prominent women, including Billie Jean King and Babe Didrikson Zaharias, are included as well. The encyclopedia also commendably encompasses lesser-known sports figures, such as Miki Gorman, the first woman to win the Boston and New York Marathons, and Sharon Hedrick, a wheelchair Olympic gold medalist. While the encyclopedia discusses Jackie Robinson and his seminal role in integrating major league baseball, it does not include any information about the athletes who struggled while desegregating such other major sports as basketball and football. The athletes' profiles, heavily laden with statistical information, could have been more engaging if they included more personal information about their subjects. Nonetheless, this is an impressive, thoughtful effort, an excellent choice as source material for school projects. 1997, Scholastic, Ages 12 up, $17.95. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson ISBN: 0-590-69264-X Finding Where The Wind Goes: Moments From My Life Mae Jemison    From her earliest memories of childhood in Decatur, Alabama, through growing up in Chicago, to success at Stanford University and Cornell Medical School, Mae Jemison shares her life's story with young readers. Jemison, now in her early forties, has packed enough into life to serve as multiple role models to girls who wonder what their futures might hold. Her autobiography is written in an episodic and conversational, sometimes awkward, style that is easily accessible to youngsters. Early in the book, especially, Dr. Jemison describes growing up in a warm, protective African-American family and draws the reader in with funny, tender memories and insights. The second part of the book recounts her whirlwind progress through Stanford and Cornell, her stint as a Peace Corps medical officer in West Africa, and her crowning achievement as the first African-American woman in space. Frequent dashes of her pithily articulated philosophy add zest to the ride. The reader may, however, finally wonder whether Dr. Jemison has ever failed in anything she attempted. Nonetheless, her over-riding metaphor of following the wind with an open questing mind is an appropriate one for this impressive woman, whose life is a work-in-progress. 2001, Scholastic Press, $16.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Michele Tremaine ISBN: 0-439-13195-2 ISBN: 0-439-13196-0 Best Books: Amelia Bloomer List, 2002; American Library Association-SRRT Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Girl Power on the Playing Field Andy Steiner    What is it like to always feel not good enough just because you are a girl? This nonfiction book by Andy Steiner combines her own experiences with comments and stories by other girls. The overall focus is on girls in sports. By telling their stories, girls effectively describe the impact, both good and not so good, that playing a particular sport has had on their self esteem, friendships and the decisions they have made or may make in the future about their place in this world. This book is well organized into progressive chapters starting with "On your Mark" which includes various experiences girls have had in sports. Further chapters discuss "Why Girls Quit," "Why Girls Play," "Body Image and Self-defense" and most positively, "Trailblazers and Mentors." In the end, Steiner gives sound practical advice about the various sports, what you'll need to play, benefits, and how to learn more--a reference to additional reading material. The varied layout, variety in type, and highlighted quotes from girls keep this book interesting and the reader engaged. Girls from age ten and up will find it fun, motivating, and most importantly an opportunity to challenge their own and other's stereotypes and the limitations they have imposed. 2000, Lerner Publication Company, Ages 10 up, $9.00. Reviewer: Kathleen Orosz ISBN: 0-8225-2690-5 Girls Got Game: Sports Stories and Poems Edited by Sue Macy    Better than gym class/better than recess/better than pizza for lunch...my jump shot/as it drops/through the net/with a swish." So reads a poem by Christa Champion, a multi-sport coach and player. This collection of poetry and short stories celebrates girls' skill and power as athletes along with the discrimination and challenge that seems to plague their every effort. Ruthie, pushed to run by her track star mother, really just wants to block and tackle on the football team. Amanda is "having the quits" about the synchronized swimming team, until her now frail and withered grandmother talks of her own small cadre of swimming friends who had to battle fathers who didn't want their daughters lifting "naked legs straight up in the air." Abbie is faced with a tetherball championship against a boy who had taught her all she knew and has become her first summer love. Each story or poem has been written by women who are both athletes and writers, but who are better known as one or the other--Virginia Euwer Wolff, Lucy Jane Bledsoe, Pat Connolly. In every story, the overwhelming impact of sport rings through--"We were only completely comfortable when we stopped thinking and stopped comparing, and just immersed ourselves in the beauty and art of sport." 2001, Henry Holt, $15.95. Ages 9 to 15. Reviewer: Karen Leggett ISBN: 0-805-06568-7 Best Books: Amelia Bloomer List, 2002; American Library Association-SRRT; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Good Sports: Winning, Losing and Everything in Between Therese Kauchak Illustrated by Norm Bendell    The American Girl Library brings readers this thorough and easy to read book about the hows, whens, and whys of begin a good sport. Included in chapters with such titles as "Game Time" and "Go Team!" is very useful information about being a team player and handling tough situations and difficult teammates. There's information for readers who want to compete at the highest level of their performance potential as well as for readers who take their sports more casually. There's even good information here for boys--but chances are they'll not be game enough to read about it in this book. There are important messages about competition and team spirit here; as well as good, practical suggestions for handling difficult parent/coach/peer pressures. The cartoon illustrations are a light touch adding humor (but not much diversity) to the topic. 1999, Pleasant Company, Ages 7 to 12, $8.95. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 1-56247-747-1 Ice Stars Sydelle A. Kramer Illustrated by Jim Campbell    Ice-skating is one of the most popular Olympic sports and also a sport that consistently receives high television rating. One of the reasons is the beauty, grace and skill of recent women figure skating stars. In this chapter book, kids are introduced to four medal-winning skaters: Kristi Yamaguchi, Oksana Baiul, Nancy Kerrigan, and Michelle Kwan. Their lives and their introduction to skating were all very different. Kristi overcame a birth defect (clubfeet), and Oksana survived in spite of being a penniless orphan. What they share is the determination, discipline, and talent that make true champions. Their brief looks at their lives are interesting and inspirational. A good choice for reluctant readers. 1997, Grosset & Dunlap, Ages 7 to 10, $13.99 and $3.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-448-41649-2 ISBN: 0-448-41590-9 Julie Krone: Unstoppable Jockey Jeff Savage   Among the many firsts that she has achieved in her career, Julie Krone was the first woman to win a Triple Crown Race with her success in the 1993 Belmont Stakes. Starting with this inspiring achievement, Savage's biography discusses Krone's childhood and personal life but focuses primarily on her career, in which she has had to fight against prejudice and injury to continue riding. Many color photographs accompany the text. A glossary and a section of statistics and highlights of her career are also included. 1996, Lerner, Ages 10 up, $19.95 and $5.95. Reviewer: Tim Whitney ISBN: 0-8225-2888-6 ISBN: 0-8225-9728-4 Mia Hamm John Torres   The "Real-Life Reader Biography" series brings the lives of contemporary figures to print. Viewed as role models who have overcome great obstacles, the subjects of these nonfiction tales come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and economic and social arenas. Mia Hamm is undoubtedly the most popular woman soccer player today. She participated in the 1996 Olympics and has won the prestigious Chevrolet/U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Award for five consecutive years. Mia was inspired by her adopted brother Garrett, who introduced her to the game and who, unfortunately, died in 1997. This short biography will appeal to elementary and middle school readers, reluctant readers, and ESL students. Chronology, index. 2000, Mitchell Lane Publishers, Ages 7 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner ISBN: 1-883845-94-7 Mia Hamm: Striking Superstar Mark Stewart    Part of the publisher's "Soccer's New Wave" series, chronicling many of today's new athletic icons, this title profiles soccer star Mia Hamm who won an Olympic Gold Medal as a leading member of the American Olympic soccer team. She is now a prominent reason why soccer has become so popular with young players, particularly girls, who have their own star athlete to emulate. Today, replicas of her number 9 Team USA Olympic jersey are big sellers, testifying to her enormous popularity, previously unheard of for a woman soccer player. Hamm's exposure to the sport began early in her life, when, as the daughter of a fighter pilot, she was a military brat, living an itinerant life as her father's assignments changed. But being exposed to different sets of children on a regular basis as her family moved around turned into a benefit to the future Olympian, exposing her early on to a wide variety of competition. Like other books in this series, this title explores the subject's life, from childhood to star, in a light, easy to understand style. Although there is not much detail in this 48-page title, this book will undoubtedly grab the attention of those reluctant readers who happen to be sports fans. 2000, The Millbrook Press, Ages 8 to 10, $20.90. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson ISBN: 0-7613-1802-X Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion: An Autobiography As told to Laura James   Middle schoolers will love this conversational presentation of ice-skating's Michelle Kwan. In addition to discussing the events surrounding her skating successes and failures, she presents her thoughts, emotions, and philosophies. This young lady presents her professional goals as well as the importance of her family and its support, especially in the volatile world of competitive ice-skating. Readers will enjoy the 16 pages of color photographs with hand-written comments. The bottom outside corner of the right pages contains an image of a skater. Flip through them and watch the tiny skater jump and spin. Includes a glossary. 1997, Scholastic, Ages 10 to 14, $14.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner Mae Jemison Sonia W. Black    Mae Jemison is a role model by any measure. A woman of diverse interests such as dance, science, travel and social work, she most notably became the first African-American woman selected by NASA to be an astronaut in 1987. As a young girl, she dreamed of traveling to outer space while also participating on her school's cheerleading squad. After graduating from medical school, she served as a doctor in Sierra Leone and Liberia for the Peace Corps. By the time she applied to NASA's astronaut program, she had already established herself in the field of medicine, but her wanderlust took her to outer space and back. In this inspirational biography, we learn of Mae's journey from childhood that ultimately takes her on this space mission, as well as her experiences aboard the space shuttle, Endeavor. An easy yet informative read, this biography would work well in the classroom and also for pleasure. Eight pages of photos highlight the career of Mae Jemison. 2000, Mondo, $3.99. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Karen Deans ISBN: 1-5725-5801-6 Best Books: Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2001; National Council for the Social Studies; United States Mae Jemison: The First African American Woman Astronaut Liza N. Burby   Mae Jemison dreamed of being an astronaut from the time she was a very young child in Chicago. Although she studied chemical engineering and eventually became a doctor, she never wavered in her desire to fly in space. In 1986, she was one of 2,000 people who applied to NASA for the astronaut training program. She was selected and after several years of training and working for NASA, on Sept. 2, 1992, she became the first African American woman to go out in space. This book is part of a series "Making Their Mark, Women in Science and Medicine." Mae Jemison is an excellent example; she shows children that dreams do come true. 1997, Rosen Publishing Group, Ages 5 to 8, $13.95. Reviewer: Leila Toledo ISBN: 0-823-95027-1 Mae Jemison: A Space Biography Della A. Yannuzzi   This is a well-organized, well written account about the first African-American woman in space. It will especially appeal to children who are interested in becoming an astronaut. Organized into five chapters, the book begins with Dr. Jemison's lift off into space aboard the space shuttle. Next, a journey through her early years of school until her graduation from medical school and volunteer work with the Peace Corps. Photos of Dr. Jemison's life are interspersed. The next couple of chapters detail interesting insights into her training with NASA and finally her blast off into space. A concluding chapter describes what Dr. Jemison has accomplished since her travels into space. The book ends with a chronology of her life, a glossary of space terms, further readings on the subject of space and an index. This is a wonderful account of a positive role model for girls. Readers will learn many interesting experiences about Dr. Jemison's journey along with the hard work and dedication that it takes to become an astronaut. This is part of the "Countdown to Space" series. 1998, Enslow Publishers Inc., Ages 7 to 12, $18.95. Reviewer: Melissa A. Caudill More famous African-American Women Nancy Kerrigan: In My Own Words Nancy Kerrigan and Steve Woodward In this book the Olympic skater details her dedication to the sport, from her first days on the ice at the age of six to her silver medal winning performance in Norway. The theme throughout is the hard work and personal sacrifice necessary to succeed in the rarefied world of international competition. Support from a loving family is another component to Nancy's success. The text does not require in-depth knowledge of skating terminology to be understood, and the lesson is applicable to any sport or activity that requires dedication from young participants. 1996, Hyperion, Ages 8 to 12, $4.50. Reviewer: Dr. Judy Rowen ISBN: 0-7868-1042-4 On the Ice with Tara Lipinski Matt Christopher   When Tara Lipinski was 2 years old, she pretended to accept a medal as she watched the 1984 Olympics on television, little knowing what lay ahead. When she was three, her mother took her to a roller-skating rink (only because the rink was giving away Care Bears), and Tara began to get hooked on skating. After winning several roller-skating competitions, Tara switched to ice-skating and rode her incredible talent all the way to the 1998 Olympics, where she became the youngest-ever winner of the gold medal in Ladies Figure Skating. Christopher chronicles Tara's successes as well as her falls, and the amazing sacrifices made by Tara's family in order to support her career. Tara's sheer love for the sport shines through, as does her strong belief in international sportsmanship. With a strong sportswriting style and eye for detail, Christopher has once again created a biography that is sure to fly from the shelves. 1999, Little Brown, Ages 8 to 12, $4.50. Reviewer: Kathleen Kelly ISBN: 0-316-14257-3 Play Like a Girl: A Celebration of Women in Sports Sue Macy and Jane Gottesman   Women's athletics are enjoying a renaissance. With many highly publicized success stories, such as the WNBA, the USA Women's Gold Medal Softball team, soccer standout Mia Hamm, and many others, female sports stars are enjoying unprecedented attention, adulation, and media exposure. This colorful book, filled with impressive photos, celebrates women athletes. It contains thoughtful quotes from female sports figures and writers describing athletics in often lyrical fashion. "Every time, just before I take off in a race, I always feel like I'm in a dream," said Toni Cade Bambara. Madeline Blais is quoted as saying, "When you're losing, like tonight, it's over in seconds, a sudden skid on glare ice." With its poetic, almost ethereal style, this book will not be for everyone. But it does live up to its title-celebrating women in sports. 1999, Henry Holt, Ages 10 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson ISBN: 0-8050-6071-5 Sally Ride-A Space Biography Barbara Kramer   Part of the "Countdown to Space" series, this volume chronicles the life of Sally Ride, the first woman astronaut in the United States. It is an inspiring story about a regular kid whose special interest in space finally led her to become a very special person in space travel history. Born in California, Sally takes an unlikely route through a seemingly normal upbringing to become a household name. The book describes in detail her first journey on the spaceship Challenger, as well as Sally's subsequent accomplishments. Accompanied by actual photographs of space flight, the book emphasizes that through inspiration and hard work, anything is possible. 1998, Enslow Publishers, Ages 8 up, $18.95. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger Sky Pioneer: A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart Corinne Szabo   Amelia's childhood was filled with fun, a love of reading, and a pair of loving and fairly progressive grandparents who filled in for her peripatetic parents. During World War I, Amelia worked as a nurse's aide in a military hospital and then decided to study medicine. During her days at medical school, she was introduced to flying, and it became a passion. From then on Amelia broke the barriers for women in aviation. She was the first woman to fly the Atlantic, initially as a passenger and then as a solo pilot. She spent her all too brief years as an advocate for women's education and rights. The story is well told with wonderful quotes and black-and-white photographs of her early years and adult accomplishments. Most of us will recognize the name, and now those who read this book will know about her life and her commitment to equality for women— particularly in the aviation field. Amelia broke the ground for women who today work as commercial pilots. 1997, National Geographic, Ages 9 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot Up in the Air: The Story of Bessie Coleman Philip S. Hart    In this interesting biography, Hart describes the life of Bessie Coleman, the first African-American woman to fly an airplane. The book describes Bessie's childhood in Waxahachie, Texas in the early 1900's where she often had to miss going to her segregated school. She had to stay home and watch her younger sisters while her mother went to work. Despite her difficult childhood, Bessie became fascinated with flying airplanes, and in 1920, she achieved her dream of flying. Overcoming racism and limited funds, she made a career as a barnstorming pilot. Her dream of opening a school for black aviators was cut short by a fatal accident, but many other black aviators carried on her dream. Filled with vintage photographs, this easy to read text makes Bessie Coleman and her dreams come alive for young readers. 1996. Carolrhoda, Ages 8 to 12, $21.50 and $6.95. Reviewer: Rebecca Joseph ISBN: 0-87614-949-2 ISBN: 0 87614-978-6 The Story of Figure Skating Michael Boo    This is an amazing compendium of the facts and faces of an exciting, modern-day sport, including why it's called "figure skating." This hefty hardcover introduces us to such historical figures as Jackson Haines, the American-born "father of figure skating" and Sonja Henie, skating's first "ice queen." It traces the evolution of the sport's major disciplines--singles skating, pairs skating and ice dancing--as it relives career highlights of skating stars of the past, such as Dick Button, Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hammill. The author draws on an insider's knowledge, gained through the dozens of interviews he has conducted for American Skating World magazine, as he sheds light on skating moves, skate design, costumes, judging standards, training and promotion. Over seventy photographs amply illustrate the triumphs and tragedies of more than a century of figure skating. There's even an inside look at a Zamboni machine! 1998, William Morrow and Company, Ages 12 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree ISBN: 0-688-15820-X Superstars of Women's Golf Barry Wilner    This is a well-researched, hardcover book that addresses the need for more information about women sports professionals. A title in the "Female Sports Stars" series, the book starts at the very beginning, with the establishment of the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1950, and continues to trace its evolution up to today's top international players. Mini-biographies of five of the greatest women golfers are also given: Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Nancy Lopez, Betsy King, Pat Bradley, and Patty Sheehan. The author, Barry Wilner, has been a sportswriter for the Associated Press for over twenty years. Illustrated with black and white photos throughout. Includes suggestions for further reading. A great reference book to have on hand when the LPGA turns 50 in the year 2000! 1997, Chelsea House Publishers, Ages 8 to 12, $7.95. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree ISBN: 0-7910-4390-8 Tara Lipinski: Queen of the Ice Bill Gutman    Olympic gold medal winner Tara Lipinski's brief but outstanding career is described in this biography. After the first two pages that introduce Tara and Michelle Kwan's figure skating competition at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, the story is launched. Tara's athletic life began at age three on roller skates. The story builds as Tara's sacrifices and competitions are described. Figure skating as a sport is given brief attention, enought to place Tara's efforts in context. The wins and losses leading up to the Olympics and Tara's decision to turn pro afterwards are reported. However, her joyful and disciplined personality is revealed through appropriate quotes and anecdotes, and the writing moves the reader to the heights she experienced with the Olympic win. The book is illustrated with good quality color photographs of Tara on and off the ice. Young readers with or without an interest in figure skating will enjoy this book. 1999, The Millbrook Press, Ages 9 to 16, $19.90 and $7.95. Reviewer: Jacki Vawter ISBN: 0-7613-1456-3 Tomboy Of The Air: Daredevil Pilot Blanche Stuart Scott Julie Cummins    In 1910 when Blanche Stuart Scott became the first woman to drive an automobile cross-country, there were only 218 miles of paved roads in the U.S. (excluding the cities) and there were road maps for only certain parts of the country. During that trip, she made the statement, "Anyone poking around in the clouds in a glorified kite had to be a nut...a complete and absolute idiot!" Little did she know at the time that within months, she would become the first woman pilot in the U.S. Through daring and tenacity, "Daredevil Pilot Blanche Stuart Scott" set several aviation records for women, years before they had the right to vote. In spite of hate letters, broken bones and attempts on her life, she continued to fulfill her dream. Interesting facts and quotes from the biography are skillfully interwoven in the text and are accompanied by black-and-white photographs. Readers can see for themselves how flimsy these early planes were and how courageous she was. Not only will this fill in some gaps in our knowledge of women's history, it will also empower young women to pursue their own dreams, whatever they may be. Chronology, bibliography and index are included. 2001, HarperCollins, $16.95 and $16.89. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 0-06-029138-9 ISBN: 0-06-029243-1 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers, 2002 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Utah Children's Book Awards, 2003 ; Utah Weatherspoon's Basketball for Girls Teresa Weatherspoon, Tara Sullivan and Kelly Whiteside    Teresa Weatherspoon is a two-time winner of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Defensive Player of the Year award. In addition to being a professional basketball player, she also provides advice to young girls who wish to play the sport. The basics of the game including dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding, offense and defense are stressed in this volume. Also, Weatherspoon provides information about warming up, stretching and conditioning before beginning play or practice. The appendices recap Weatherspoon's playing record and professional career and also include a glossary of basketball terms. This book is a good choice for any girl interested in basketball. Illustrated with black-and-white photos of Teresa Weatherspoon in practice and at games, there are also photos of a girl's basketball team practicing with Weatherspoon. Sprinkled throughout the book are personal observations written by Weatherspoon that are meant inspire and enlighten girls about life. A welcome addition to sports literature for girls, especially those who wish to learn more about basketball and fans of the WNBA. Girl's basketball coaches also may find this volume useful. 1999, John Wiley and Sons, Ages 10 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Ru Story-Huffman ISBN: 0-471-31784-5 Wilma Rudolph Victoria Sherrow Illustrations by Larry Johnson   The inspiring story of Olympic champion runner Wilma Rudolph is simply told for young readers in this brightly illustrated biography. Covering the same incidents in Rudolph's life as Kathleen Krull and David Diaz's 1996 picture book biography Wilma Unlimited, this telling will probably be easier for independent reading. There is one black-and-white photo of Rudolph, an afterward telling of Rudolph's life following the 1960 Olympics, and a list of important dates, but there is no bibliography. The date of Rudolph's death is given twice as 1995. Other sources give the date as November 12, 1994, causing one to question the thoroughness of the editing and researching of this series. It is part of the "On My Own Biographies" series. 2000, Carolrhoda, Ages 7 to 9, $21.27. Reviewer: Linnea Hendrickson ISBN: 1-57505-246-6 Winning Ways: A Photohistory of American Women in Sports Sue Macy    Sue Macy's enlightening black-and-white photohistory highlights the ups, downs, and Winning Ways of American women who slowly but surely changed the men-only- sports status quo, from 1890s bicyclers to 1990s ballplayers. 1996, Holt, Ages 11 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Beverly Kobrin ISBN: 0-8050-4147-8 WNBA We Got Next Gail Herman Illustrated by Edward Heins    One in a series of "All Aboard Reading" books, this one is for level three readers--second to third grades. It the story of the beginning of the Women's National Basketball Association, whose games were first televised in June 1997. The book traces the history of women's basketball and the emergence of the WNBA's most famous players. There are brief descriptions of the various teams that make up the WNBA and the first championship game. The tone is inspirational, and designed to create interest in women's sports. The book is liberally illustrated with photos and drawings. 1998, Grosset & Dunlap, Ages 7 to 9, $3.99. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger ISBN: 0-448-41865-7 Women in Space Carole S. Briggs   This A & E biography takes an overview look at the space program, both Russian and U.S., and profiles the events and women who have been a part of this exploration. This would be a marvelous complement to school research papers on the space program. However, the biographical information provided on the female astronauts is not enough to sustain in-depth inquiry into any of their individual lives. Includes a glossary, illustrations, and bibliography. 1999, Lerner Publications, Ages 11 up, $18.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner Wonder Women of Sports S.A. Kramer Illustrations by Jim Campbell    Amy van Dyken, Gail Devers, Dominique Moceanu and Rebecca Lobo all became well known to millions of Americans through their achievements at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. This compilation, with concise prose and interesting details, tells how they overcame various obstacles to attain stardom. An asthmatic girl, Van Dyken struggled with sports and teasing peers. She battled her asthma and won a gold swimming medal in Atlanta. Moceanu suffered a severe leg injury before the '96 games. Nevertheless, she competed and helped her women's U.S. gymnastic team become the first to win the gold medal. A tomboy growing up, Lobo was told by one of her teachers to be more "ladylike" and abandon sports. Fortunately, she did not listen, growing up to help the University of Connecticut win the 1996 NCAA women's basketball championship and win a gold medal in women's basketball in Atlanta. Devers has Grave's Disease, a glandular affliction that once made even walking painful. With proper care and medication, she conquered the disease, winning track and field gold medals at the '92 & '96 Olympics. This book, part of the "All Aboard Reading" series, is a good choice for young readers interested in unconventional sports stories. 1997, Grosset & Dunlap, Ages 7 to 9, $3.95. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson ISBN: 0-448-41589-5 Yankee Doodle Gals: Women Pilots of World War II Amy Nathan    Did you know that there were women pilots who flew planes during World War II? Learn all about the courageous women who were part of the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots, 1942-1944) and how they were pioneers in creating important duties that helped out the United States of America during World War II. Many of the women were teenagers and college students, and some worked full-time as librarians and even models. They quickly decided to leave their schools and jobs to follow their lifelong dream of flying airplanes. The author, Amy Nathan, has done a great job in honoring the women who were WASPs and explaining what it meant to these women to serve their country as well as their responsibilities. This book is ideal for young adult readers, especially for those who are interested in or have a passion about flying airplanes. Included are black-and-white photos that were taken during the training period and of women pilots getting reading for their flights, as well as brief biographies about various women. This book would be useful to both children and adults undertaking research about WWII. The text is easy to read and understand and gives detailed information without all of the gruesome details of negative events of the war. The book is a must-have for any history book collection. 2001, National Geographic Society, $21.00. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Christy Oestreich ISBN: 0-7922-8216-7 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2003; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Brave Women Abbie Against the Storm Marcia Vaughan Illustrations by Bill Farnsworth   Through beautifully painted illustrations the story of Abbie's brave adventure of tending to the running of a lighthouse is told. Out of all of her sisters she alone works with her farther to understand the means to upkeep the lighthouse. When her father had to leave to gather more food and supplies she must watch over her ailing mother, her sisters, and maintain the lighthouse through ice storms and mountainous waves. She constantly questions her strength and ability, but always remembers the ways that her father taught her. The bond between the father and daughter touches the reader throughout the entire story and allows Abbie to persevere. Abbie's survival skills and confidence protect her family until her father's arrival. Based on a true story this story also includes an epilogue to keep the reader informed of Abbie's further lighthouse adventures. 1999, Beyond Words Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Lori M. Saporosa ISBN: 1-58270-007-9 Amidst the Gold Dust: Women Who Forged the West Julie Danneberg    Those early pioneer women had their share of adventure. Five women are introduced to the reader and each of their tales is unique. Isabella Bird, Clara Brown and Margaret Brown found their special place in Colorado history; Nellie Cashman in Arizona and Sara Winnemucca in Nevada. Each woman is described by people who knew her and also by comments made about herself. There are photos of historical items they might have used in their everyday lives. As each cameo is presented, the reader gets a sense of the history of that time period. A bibliography for each of these women allows readers to find more materials, if they are interested. The women all have very interesting stories, full of the adventure of the early West. It is quite impressive to see how much these five women contributed to their communities and the world in general. 2001, Fulcrum Resources, $12.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood ISBN: 1-5559-1997-9 Anne Bailey: Frontier Scout Mary R. Furbee    Nineteen-year-old Anne Hennis knows England is not for the poor, the uneducated or the female, and embarks as an indentured servant to the New World. Anne works four years without pay; twelve hours a day, seven days a week. She learns to cook, to hunt and to farm, which prepare her for married life with Richard Trotter. She and Richard settle in the mountains, build a cabin, clear some land and Anne has a baby son, William. Richard joins the royal forces to fight Indians on the Virginia frontier and is killed in 1872, leaving Anne to support herself and William. She becomes a guide and then a scout, leaving seven-year-old William to be raised by friends. Years later Anne marries a fellow scout, John Bailey, and lives to a story-telling old age. Some called her "mad Anne Bailey" because of her roughness and scorn for conventional behavior. Solidly researched and tautly written, the book has an index, an appendix of Anne Bailey poems, a ten-page bibliography and suggestions for further reading. This story of frontier life and a woman's growing independence will fascinate boys as well as girls. Part of the "Women of the Frontier" series. 2001, Morgan Reynolds, $20.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Nancy Tilly ISBN: 1-88384-670-6 Best Books: Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Born to Be a Cowgirl: A Spirited Ride Through the Old West Candace Savage    Cowgirls were a small minority in the Old West. Women who chose to pursue bronc busting and cattle drives, had to buck prevailing social customs in order to follow their dreams. Starting with an historical perspective featuring Fannie Sperry, Savage peppers her narrative with mentions of many real-life cowgirls. Wilma Matthews worked on one of Sam Houston's cattle drives only because she fooled him by dressing as a boy. Lizzie Johnson Williams taught school and wrote romance stories to earn enough money to purchase her own ranch and cattle. Martha Cannary sold pamphlets about her life story--everyone was curious about Calamity Jane. A bit of social acceptance was signaled by female participation in the Calgary Stampede and rodeos. These events provided thrills and cash prizes...until outcries about women being injured or killed put a stop to their competition. Everyday faces gaze out of period photographs, revealing cowgirls as rodeo riders and farm hands, as well as mothers and housewives. There are good glossary and reference sections. This book will appeal to girls with a sense of adventure and who share Fannie Sperry's philosophy: "If there are not horses in heaven, I do not want to go there." 2001, Tricycle Press, $9.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Chris Gill ISBN: 1-58246-020-5 ISBN: 1-58246-019-1 Best Books: Amelia Bloomer List, 2002; American Library Association-SRRT; United States Capitol Choices, 2001; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers, 2002; National Council for the Social Studies; United States Parent's Guide to Children's Media, 2001; Parent's Guide to Children's Media, Inc.; United States Boston Jane: An Adventure Jennifer L. Holm    Motherless Jane Peck is a hopeless tomboy, expert at throwing clumps of manure at passing carriages and acknowledged as the best spitter in the neighborhood. Her physician father's apprentice, William Baldt, encourages her to enroll at Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy. But all of her skills at Etiquette, Embroidery, Watercolors, Drawing, Music, and French Conversation prove to be of little use when Jane follows William west to the Oregon coast to be his bride. As soon as Jane arrives she finds that William has abandoned her, and she is left as the only white woman living with roughneck, hard-drinking adventurers and a community of Chinooks who resent her East Coast airs. Predictably, of course, Jane recovers her true identity as a strong woman rather than a prim and proper lady, learns to mend roofs and harvest oysters, rescues herself from a raging river torrent, befriends the Chinooks, gets rid of William when he reappears, and finds true love with a scarred sailor man. While the vividly realized Pacific Northwest setting lends interest to Jane's story, the plot itself is formulaic, and the broad, slapstick humor undercuts any deeper emotional resonance. 2001, HarperCollins, $16.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Claudia Mills    Comfort reads will take you far away from the troubles of the world, wrap you in family warmth, and instantly create the close family times we are all craving. Such favorites are high in humor and adventure. These qualities can be found in Jennifer Holms' new book (Holms won a Newbery Honor award with her first book, Our Only May Amelia). Her second, Boston Jane, has another feisty, fascinating, upbeat heroine and is a mix of adventures, history, a little bit of romance, and lots of humor. Sixteen-year-old Jane is the beloved daughter of a widowed doctor. He admires her untamed spirit and his benign neglect turns mid-19th century Philadelphia into her playground. Jane is a tomboy who is skilled at throwing rotten apples, wears a stained smock, and is happy to sit on a patient to help her father. Jane adores her father and her simple life, until she's humiliated by snotty Sally Biddle who interrupts her fun "like a mosquito scenting a plump, bare leg." Jane decides to become proper and convinces her father to let her attend Miss Hepplewhite's Academy. Despite his fears that she'll become one of those "useless women who cares for nothing but dresses", her father gives his permission. Miss Hepplewhite follows "The Young Lady's Confidante" and Jane is amazed to discover she has "been standing, walking and sitting the wrong way all these years." She succumbs to rigorous polishing and also to William, a young man apprenticed to her father. When William goes West to make his fortune he asks her to marry him. Jane agrees and begins a second transformation en route to the territory of Washington. At sea she cares for fellow passengers, adapting her embroidery talents to sew up wounds. Upon landing she learns William has left Shoalwater Bay and she must fend for herself. Her training doesn't do much good in this rough wilderness. In short order, her expensive dresses are eaten by a hungry cow, she must share a cabin with flea-bitten crude men, trade her corset for Chinook dress, and as the only woman around receives "more proposals of marriage by more men in need of a good bath than I care to remember." Finally, Jane's grit, courage and good sense emerge. She discards William when it becomes apparent his proposal is based on land acquisition. She chooses instead Jehu, an honest scar-faced sailor who loves her. Part of the read aloud success of this book comes from its style and voice, which are as strong and buoyant as the heroine. Holmes' characters are well developed and their perceptions show they have a better sense of Jane than she has of herself. But Jane's path to self-knowledge provides lots of reading joy en route. 2001, HarperCollins, $16.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Susie Wilde ISBN: 0-06-028738-1 ISBN: 0-06-028739-X Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2002; American Library Association-YALSA; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002; Bank Street College of Education; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Parent's Guide to Children's Media, 2001; Parent's Guide to Children's Media, Inc.; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Utah Children's Book Awards, 2003; Utah Extraordinary Women of the American West Judy Alter   Often when the American West is mentioned, it creates visions of cowboys and Indians, mountain men and trappers or miners panning for gold. Women were there and they had a hard life on the prairies and in cattle country. Starting with Sacajawea who helped the Lewis and Clark expedition, readers learn about sixty six more famous and infamous women who helped to settle lands West of the Mississippi (although the book excludes those first states west of the river). As the author notes in the introduction, history is predominately seen through the eyes of Anglo (European white) women because they kept the diaries and journals and wrote letters detailing their experiences. For each biography thee is a photograph, drawing or picture of a statue representing the woman, there are also a few other pictures relevant to the time period. This is not a book for casual reading, although some of the individuals featured are quite interesting, but a very good reference for libraries and classrooms. Further reading list, web sites, museum collections and index. 1999, Children's Press/Grolier, Ages 10 up, $33.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-516-20974-4 Great Women of the Old West Judy Alter    Published as part of the "We the People" series, which is devoted to presenting key historical events in U.S. history, the book opens with an introduction to American Indian women. The first profile is that of Sacagawea, the young Shoshone woman who led explorers Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean. From there the book briefly introduces women of other nationalities who settled in the area, including Spanish women and Eastern settlers. It ends with a short description of women of today's west, such as Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Perhaps because of the constraints on the book to be short and fit into a series, the book is less detailed and comprehensive than one would like but it may whet the reader's appetite to learn more. Included are a short glossary and a chart of important dates, as well as a helpful bibliography for readers who want to read more about women of the west. 2001, Compass Point Books, $21.26. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Valerie O. Patterson ISBN: 0-7565-0099-0 Into A New Country: Eight Remarkable Women of the West Liza Ketchum    The women included in this fascinating book truly were remarkable. Reading the stories of these largely unknown women brings to life the difficulties that both men and women experienced in the West before and during the time of the Gold Rush. Women had harder times than the men did. Society placed what they thought were unreasonable limits on them, so that to reach their dreams they had to fight all of society as well as their families. Susan Shelby Magoffin was born in 1827, and accompanied her husband on the Santa Fe Trail when she was eighteen. She died at 28, and her diary lay forgotten for nearly 150 years. Bridget (Biddy) Mason was born a slave, but became one of the wealthiest women in Los Angeles. Bethenia Owens-Adair became the first women physician in the West. Two Native American sisters fought for the welfare of their people. Lotta Crabtree's mother was infected with "Gold-Rush Fever" and dragged her daughter west. Lotta soon became famous as an entertainer. Mary McGladery Tape fought for the rights of Asian-Americans. Katherine Ryan was known as "Klondike Kate." This is a very well put-together volume of fascinating stories. Illustrated with daguerreotypes and photos, it doesn't gloss over the hardships involved, and altogether makes the reader wish that he/she could have known these pioneers. 2000, Little Brown & Company, $18.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Judy Silverman ISBN: 0-316-49597-2 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 2002; American Library Association-YALSA; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States More Spice Than Sugar: Poems About Feisty Females Compiled by Lillian Morrison Illustrated by Ann Boyajian.    These poems celebrate the greatness of women and girls as they excel in a variety of endeavors, including sports and careers once available only to males. There are no boundaries. Several of the concrete poems are really a delight, including "Lashondra Scores" by J. Patrick Lewis, which follows the path of a basketball as it arcs to the hoop, and "The Hamill Camel," which like skater Dorothy Hamill, streaks and swirls across the page. Other poems celebrate both famous and unknown women--those who sacrificed and worked to make their children's lives better and those whose fame we know, like Amelia Earhart, Fannie Lou Hamer, Clara Barton and Molly Pitcher. All of the poems are accompanied by delightful black-and-white sketches. What a wonderful collection to have available for young girls--one that clearly demonstrates that there are no longer any boundaries. Table of contents and notes. 2001, Houghton Mifflin, $15.00. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-618-06892-9 Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Osceola Memories of a Sharecropper's Daughter Collected and edited by Alan Govenar Illustrated by Shane W. Evans   Osceola Mays always wanted to write poems, but she only had one pencil and she needed to save that for school. Fortunately, she could remember the poems, songs, and stories taught to her by her mother and grandmother in the rich oral tradition of her slave ancestors. Many of these histories were taught so children could learn about events such as the Civil War, slavery and Gilliam's Storm which was sent because " white people weren't very nice to the black folks." In this rich patchwork of memories, Osceola, who was born in East Texas in 1909, shares her life. A carryover from slave days was to be given a name of a white child in the area, thus she was named Garnell at birth. After an impressionable visit of an Indian man, she insisted on taking his name and was from then on called Osceola. As the daughter of a sharecropper there was little money to spare, but on each Santa Claus Night, Osceola knew she would get a present. When her mother died, the presents stopped. The memories could never die, and Osceola shared them through interviews with the author over a fifteen-year period. They are richly and eloquently shared in just sixty-four pages and the folk art paintings enhance the text. Readers will be touched and enriched by Osceola's memoirs, getting a glimpse of an extraordinary "ordinary" woman. 2000, Hyperion Books for Children, Ages 8 to 12, $15.99. Reviewer: Laura Hummel ISBN: 0-7868-0407-6 Outrageous Women of Colonial America Mary Rodd Furbee    In a well-written, highly entertaining and eye-opening text, Furbee tells the stories of fourteen women in Colonial America. Some of the names such as Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley and Betsy Ross have been written about in many other books and are probably the most familiar, but the stories of the others are not so well-known. Queen Weetamoo of the Wampanoag bravely led her people against the encroaching white settlers, but eventually lost her life in the fight. Peggy Shippen Arnold, the wife of famed traitor Benedict Arnold, managed to escape a traitor's fate and lived a comfortable life in England where her work as a spy was amply rewarded. Anne Trotter replaced her husband as a frontier scout after he died during a fierce battle with the Shawnee. After her services were no longer needed as a scout she became a peddler and in her seventies built her own cabin and settled down near her son. Furbee has truly cast a bright light on these women who bucked mores of the day to establish a place for themselves in history. 2001, John Wiley, $12.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-471-38299-X Outrageous Women of the American Frontier Mary Rodd Furbee    Outrageous Women is a book about little known women of the West. Although there are a few notable women such as Calamity Jane and Sacagawea, most of the women highlighted have been nameless and lost in history. For example, there was Nellie Cashman who operated restaurants and hotels in Mining Camps and Libbie Custer, the wife of General George Custer. She followed her husband around to live on frontier army posts. Narcissa Whitman became a missionary and teacher. Although the women outlined in this book may not have achieved fame and fortune, they were strong women who were determined to make a life for themselves in the early days of the western frontier. Black-and-white photographs accompany the text. 2002, John Wiley and Sons, $12.955. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi ISBN: 0-471-38300-7 Outrageous Women of the Renaissance Vicki Leon   Ms. Leon has brought to life several interesting ladies who made their mark in the history of their countries and in many cases the world. These talented women hail from France, Italy, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, the British Isles, Spain, Portugal and the New World. One of my personal favorites is Grace O'Malley of Ireland (1530-1603). She was the daughter of a shipping family who did a bit of pirating on the side. Grace was actively involved in the business and often was the captain of ships in the line. A contemporary of Elizabeth I, the two met in 1593 to discuss pirating of British ships by Grace's fleet and the release of Grace's son, held captive by Elizabeth. To have been witness to their discussions would have been very, very interesting. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it not only for young people but also adults. 1999, John Wiley, Ages 10 to 14, $12.95. Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood ISBN: 0-471-29684-8 Petticoat Spies: Six Women Spies of the Civil War    During the Civil War over three million American men went off to fight in the bloodiest conflict in the republic's history. As those men marched off to fight and die, millions of women remained at home seeking ways in which they too could serve their respective governments. One way in which some women chose to serve was in the role of spies. Both northern and southern women gathered intelligence for their forces and in turn impacted the course of the war. Here, in Peggy Caravantes account of six such clandestine female warriors, readers will meet a select group of Civil War era women. In each instance the author tells the story of one of these fascinating and colorful characters of the American past. Meet Belle Boyd, who convinced youthful Yankee officers to confide in her and then turned her knowledge over to Confederate leaders. For Pauline Cushman, her attempts to serve as a Union spy nearly cost her life as she was captured, sentenced to be hung, and then rescued by Federal troops. Emma Thompson's story is even more complicated as she pretended to be a man and served as a "male" espionage agent for the Union army. These, and three other, tales of female Civil War spies are offered to readers in an exciting and informative manner. This is a book that readers with any interest in the Civil War will find enjoyable. 2002, Morgan Reynolds, $20.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck    Renegades, especially in a time of war, do not always present themselves as loud, feisty soldiers who go screaming into battle on horseback. Some work quietly behind the scenes, including the six women featured in this book. Rather than go into combat, they used cunning and spy techniques to get past guards and give information to the leaders of both the Union and the Confederacy. Sarah Emma Edmonds, for example, mastered many disguises, including that of a black male slave. The women faced the chance of being caught and killed, each so her country would have a chance at winning the war. Used as an accompaniment to a classroom textbook, these stories could supplement a discussion of the unsung heroes of the Civil War or be used to provide information about American women's history. The book begins with an introduction that gives some background about the beginning of the Civil War, why it was fought, and the leaders of the Union and the Confederacy. Each story is accompanied by a black-and-white picture of the woman being described and includes quotations from letters written by the women, newspapers and the soldiers who fought alongside the women. At the end of the book the reader will find a bibliography, a glossary, an index and a list of citations for chapter quotations. 2002, Morgan Reynolds Publishers, $20.95. Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Carlie Kraft ISBN: 1-88384-688-9 Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women Cheryl Harness    Imagine a room filled with women like Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou, Elizabeth Cady Stanton--all watching Abigail Adams use a computer. This carefully painted image in Cheryl Harness' book suggests just how far ahead of their times most women in the book really were, including Abigail Adams when she urged her husband John to "remember the ladies and be more generous to them than your ancestors." Harness includes a few sentences about each of the hundred women she has chosen, from Virginia Dare and Pocahontas all the way to Madeleine Albright, Toni Morrison and Oprah Winfrey. The book introduces young readers to many women they know and more they don't; if you question the selection or omission of particular women--and you will--at least Harness gets a good discussion going. She even invites readers at the end to come up with their own list--"When you get to 100, you'll have a pretty good idea about your America--and yourself." The watercolor illustrations are meticulous and colorful, with excellent detail, even in the crowd scenes. The layout, however, is crowded and confusing. The picture book-size volume includes a glossary and bibliography as well as a few historic sites and key organizations. 2001, HarperCollins, $16.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Karen Leggett ISBN: 0-688-17018-8 ISBN: 0-688-17017-X Best Books: Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers, 2002; National Council for the Social Studies; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 2003; Rhode Island Sacagawea, 1788-1812 Rosemary Wallner    Sacagawea is remembered for her contributions to the Lewis and Clark expedition, which began in Saint Louis, Missouri and ended at the Pacific Ocean. She proved to be an able translator as well as a guide to survival in the wilderness. We find all this out in the first chapter, and it comes as a bit of a jolt to then begin with her birth in Chapter Two. No sooner is she born than are we given a recipe for gooseberry cobbler. Although graphic elements add another dimension to the tale, they, too, seem somewhat disconnected to the story, even distracting. The writing itself is accurate, if not inspired. With her colorful pictures, the illustrator has done a lovely job of depicting the dress of the times, living accommodations, daily life, and interactions of the Lemhi Shoshone with the white man. As part of a series, "American Indian Biographies," this book will fit in well with the study of history and American cultures. It contains a chronology, glossary, list of other research sources, and an index, all of which lend themselves to open-ended and ongoing study. 2002, Blue Earth Books/Capstone Press, $22.60. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Susan Schott Karr ISBN: 0-7368-1213-X Sybil Ludington's Midnight Ride Marsha Amstel Illustraated by Ellen Beier   One of the easy-reading "On My Own History" series, this true story covers the ride 16-year-old Sybil Ludington took to warn settlers near Danbury, Connecticut, that the British were burning the city. Washington had sent four hundred farmers home for spring planting when the British sprung their attack. The young girl eluded outlaws, knocked on doors with a stick so she wouldn't have to dismount and warned her friends and neighbors, calling them to gather at her house and march against the British. This stirring story is well-told, using six or seven sentences to a page, and an afterword tells how Sybil lived to a ripe old age with plenty of progeny. Beier's watercolor illustrations get the job doneand an author's note sets the stage. Perfect for young history buffs, this book would be a wonderful addition for less able readers studying Colonial themes in the upper elementary grades if they aren't put off by "grades 2-3" prominently stamped on the cover. 2000, Carolrhoda, Ages 7 to 9, $21.27 and $5.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler ISBN: 1-57505-211-3 ISBN: 1-57505-456-6 The Way West: Journal of a Pioneer Woman Amelia Stewart Knight Illustrated by Michael McCurdy   In 1852, Amelia Stewart Knight and her family join the westward movement traveling from Iowa to Oregon. Despite the hardships of the journey including children succumbing to mumps, fording rivers without bridges and being pregnant with her eighth child, Knight kept a daily journal which has been adapted in this picture book. McCurdy's unique illustrations-woodcuts tinted with watercolor washes catch the pioneer spirit with close up views of the Knight family and their adventures while on the Oregon Trail. Elementary school teachers and librarians will find this a useful addition to their units on America's westward expansion. It would be wonderful to use in an art class as part of a cross curriculum lesson plan. 1993, Aladdin, Ages 7 to 10, $5.99. Reviewer: Wendy Pollock-Gilson ISBN: 0-689-82580-3 They Called Her Molly Pitcher Anne Rockwell Illustrated by Cynthia von Buhler    During the Revolutionary War some colonial women followed their men to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where they helped with cooking, cleaning, and nursing the sick. One such woman was Mary Hays who was nicknamed Molly. Under the leadership of George Washington the rag-tag army suffered from lack of supplies and training, but they excelled at guerilla warfare. At the battle of Monmouth the colonials and British clashed. The day was terribly hot and the British suffered in their uniforms, many succumbed to heat stroke. The colonials removed heavy clothing and were kept cool thanks to Molly. She had a pitcher with her and filled it repeatedly with cool water for the fighting men. When her husband was wounded she took up his position and fired the canon. Her perseverance and bravery soon gave her two more names. The men called her Molly Pitcher and Washington bestowed the rank of sergeant to her. There is no reason for young readers to be bored with history when it is presented in such an engaging manner. The meticulously detailed biography is written on linen and accompanied by glorious oil paintings that capture the emotion and fervor of battle. The legendary Molly Pitcher surely deserves a place in a social studies curriculum. 2002, Alfred A Knopf, $15.95. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Laura Hummel ISBN: 0-679-99187-5 ISBN: 0-679-89187-0 Those Extraordinary Women of World War I Karen Zeinert    In 1917 the United States entered World War I. At that time, American women stepped forward to fill many of the same roles that their grandmothers held during the Civil War. Many took the place of men in factories as the demands for wartime goods soared. Other women joined various relief organizations where their primary duties included supplying "doughboys" with extra items of comfort. In some cases, women joined the medical corps and served as rear echelon or battlefield nurses. Countless other American mothers, sisters, aunts and girlfriends knitted socks or kept the home fires burning in anticipation of the return of their loved ones. The saga of American women during the Great War is stirringly told in this history book. The author touches on the major ways in which American women contributed to the war effort. Specific individual women are highlighted, such as Jeanette Rankin, the sole woman in the U.S. Congress at the time the declaration of war was called for by Woodrow Wilson. Ms. Rankin voted against war in 1917 and again in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. Her brave story, as well those of countless other women who labored to help the Allies defeat Germany, is ably chronicled in this fine book laced with many illustrations. 2001, Millbrook, $27.40. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck ISBN: 0-7613-1913-1 Best Books: Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers, 2002; National Council for the Social Studies; United States A Voice From the Wildernesss: The Story of Anna Howard Shaw Don Brown    Don Brown adds to the impressive numbers of picture book biographies with this inspiring story of one woman who raised her voice to secure women's right to vote. Anna Howard Shaw came to America in 1857 and immediately displayed her resilient nature when her father settled Anna, her mother and siblings in the roughly cleared forest of Michigan. In this desolate frontier, Anna worked hard to make a life for her family while sampling the simple pleasures of reading and finding beauty in the nature that surrounded her. Driven by ambition, she went from teaching in a one room schoolhouse to attending college where she graduated and became first a minister and later a doctor. The inequities she saw in the wages given to women prompted Anna, who once preached to an imagined audience in the forest, to speak out for a woman's right to vote. The pioneer girl had found her cause, and using "her own scale and keeping her own measurement," she made a difference. Warm watercolor illustrations capture the spirit of a woman who was no stranger to adversity but learned to face it head on. 2001, Houghton Mifflin, $16.00. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey ISBN: 0-618-08362-6 Best Books: Amelia Bloomer List, 2002; American Library Association-SRRT; United States The Wells Fargo Book of the Gold Rush Margaret Rau Illustrations from the Wells Fargo archives    Filled with drama, adventure, greed, strong men, brave women and life in the Wild West, the story of the California gold rush remains compelling history. Margaret Rau's new book is a welcome addition. It begins chronologically with James Marshall's 1848 discovery of gold on John Sutter's land and his efforts to keep the news a secret. It continues with the arduous journeys of the "forty-niners" by sailing ship and wagon, recounting the incredible hardships they endured to reach San Francisco. Those who survived pushed on to establish claims and search desperately for gold, for many had gambled everything to find the end of the rainbow. After the basic chronology, Ms. Rau treats a number of other subjects in separate chapters, many overlapping in time, but all adding to a satisfying whole. There are chapters about San Francisco, California's statehood, the arrival of women, entertainment, the Mexican and Native American populations, the boom times and the recession. By 1859, most of those who'd rushed west, but whose pockets remained empty, drifted away. The story was over. Many black-and-white photographs and illustrations from the Wells Fargo Historical Archives enhance the text. 2001, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $18.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Ellen R. Butts ISBN: 0-689-83019-X Best Books: Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002; H.W. Wilson; United States Women of the Frontier Charles W. Sundling    When exploration of the Louisiana Territory began in early 1840, very few women were recorded as being a part of the wagon trains that headed west. However, by 1900, 800,000 women were living in this new land west of the Mississippi. Although the trip was especially hard for women, many made the trip looking for better lives for themselves and their families. The reader learns about life on the wagon trains, the marriage traditions, and the social life of these pioneer women. Included with the index and glossary is a list of recommended web sites for further research. This is part of a six-volume series entitled "Frontierland." All titles are worthy of elementary and middle school collections. This is an especially good series for those reluctant male readers. 2000, ABDO Publishing, $19.93. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 1-5776-5046-8 Women of the West Bobbie Kalman and Jane Lewis    Bobbie Kalman has found the formula to be both financially successful and pedagogically useful. Her books, and this is no exception, with their indexes, glossaries and combination of photographs and drawings, render so many periods of history interesting and accessible to schoolchildren and are a welcome tool for elementary school teachers. This particular volume covers immigration, dangers of everyday life, various racial groups, fashion and customs, and political issues relevant to women. Emphasis on the role of women is not overplayed; veracity of photographs is sometimes questionable, though (the children on p. 23 and Nellie McClung on p. 31 give pause). Evocation of Canadian equivalents, including the locating of McClung, may be slightly gratuitous, so that a Canadian school library would not likely purchase this. The reading level is at an average fourth or fifth grade; and the copious illustrations make it a useful social history tool even for children with reading problems. Part of the series "Life in the Old West." 2000, Crabtree Publishing Company, $7.95. Ages 9 to 11. Reviewer: Martha Cunningham ISBN: 0-7787-0080-1 ISBN: 0-7787-0112-3 Women of the Wild West Katherine Krohn    This is part of the "A&E Biography" series and the profiles cover a rather eclectic group of women. There is the miner's wife who went into the restaurant business during the California gold rush by building outdoor tables and buying provisions at the local store. Then there is the story of young Virginia Reed who was a survivor of the Donner Party's attempt to cross the Rocky Mountains. Students may be surprised to learn how young many of these women were. Often life was hard and some of these girls felt they had no choice but to strike out on their own to earn a living. Annie Oakley (Phoebe Ann Mosey) was one such young woman and she was able to help her family by capitalizing on her marksmanship. Not so well known is Pearl Hart who ran away from home at the age of seventeen. Her claim to fame is being the first known stagecoach robber in the Arizona Territory. Other women featured include Laura Ingalls Wilder, Sacagawea and Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Cannary). 2000, Lerner, $25.26 and $7.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford ISBN: 0-8225-4980-8 ISBN: 0-8225-9690-3 Women With Grit Bonnie Highsmith Taylor    Aided by a glossary, Taylor gives enough details for young readers to grasp the fundamentals of what it took to become a pioneer American professional woman. Her black-and-white vignettes describe the paths of Maria Mitchell, astronomer, (1818-1889), Susan B. Anthony, activist for the rights of women (1820-1906), Harriet Tubman, conductor on the underground railroad, (1820-1913), Bethenia Owens-Adair, pioneer doctor, (1840-1926), Linda Richards, America's first trained nurse, (1847-1930), Marian Anderson, famous black singer, (1902-1993), Margaret Bourke-White, photographer, (1905-1991), and Jackie Cochrane, "first lady of aviation" (1912-1980). A high interest low vocabulary books that will also appeal to adults learning English. 2000, Perfection Learning, $8.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Carolyn Dennette Michaels ISBN: 0-78915-045-X Women in Business Cool Women, Hot Jobs ... And How You Can Go For It, Too! Tina Schwager & Michele Schuerger    The authors have done a good job interviewing twenty women, some very young, who have succeeded in a wide range of professions. A number of the women had chosen traditional jobs for women; executive director of a non-profit organization, wedding planner and fashion designer. The more exceptional and non-traditional careers represented include fighter pilot, FBI agent, dolphin trainer and zoo director. Many of the women knew from childhood how they wanted to spend their professional lives, but there were also numerous times an opportunity/obstacle presented itself and changed a life in the process. I found the story of Maureen Holohan the most inspirational. She was an athlete and played professional basketball as an adult. However, an injury ended her career. She was also very interested in writing for children. When she couldn't find a publisher for her books, she published her own books. She arranged a book tour to 125 cities and 450 schools and managed to sell 65,000 books. She was eventually offered a contract with Simon and Schuster. In addition to the interviews, the authors provide a game plan for finding a dream job. 2002, Free Spirit, $15.95. Ages 8 to adult. Reviewer: Kristin Harris ISBN: 1-57542-109-7 Girl, You're Amazing! Virginia Kroll Illustrated by Mélisande Potter    Upbeat rhymes affirm that girls can do anything and everything from "helping your brother with math he finds tough" to " seeing the puppies are fed just enough." The colorful, mixed media illustrations exude humor and extend the possibilities of what girls can become. Throughout this volume girls are friends, athletes, dancers, artists and caring family members. Teachers could use the rhyming pattern as an extension for children to write poems about their own gifts and strengths. Celebrate a girl and share this book with her, for there are no limits as to what she can become. This picture book is a strong purchase for home, elementary schools and public libraries. 2001, Albert Whitman, $15.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Wendy Pollock-Gilson ISBN: 0-8075-2930-3 Good Girl Work: Factories, Sweatshops, and How Women Changed Their Role in the American Workplace Catherine Gourley   The title "good girl work" actually means "good work for girls." This book about the beginning of the women's labor movement begins tracking the movement in 1897, although it skips around a lot. Before the movement, wives were often considered to be indentured servants. With the coming of the Industrial Revolution, though, children became useful as factory workers. As early as 1836, young girls sang, "Oh, isn't it a pity that such a pretty girl as I/ should be sent to the factory to pine away and die." Songs and parades to fight poor working conditions and low wages did no good for the girls. In fact, girls who protested were no longer considered "good girls" and might be let go from their jobs. But in the later part of the century, the rise of labor unions, at first restricted to men, gave many women hope. Courley uses photographs of girls and women at work in what seem to be intolerable conditions, combined with quotations from these girls, as well as from men and women of the time. The struggle to bring decent wages and working conditions to this neglected half of the work force was hard and lengthy. Even the terrible Triangle Fire in 1911 wasn't enough to change the system that had been so good to so many (owners). A year after the fire, Margaret Hinchey, a protester who was arrested and sent to the New York prison called the "Tombs," wrote to Leonora O'Reilly of the Women's Trade Union League, "Use me in any way you can for the good of the cause. I am yours to the end." A highly recommended book. 1999, Millbrook, Ages 9 up, $23.40. Reviewer: Judy Silverman ISBN: 0-7613-0951-9 Gutsy Girls: Young Women Who Dare Tina Schwager and Michele Schuerger   Gutsy Girls is a collection of stories about young women who succeed in unusual hobbies and non-traditional careers. While the stories are inspiring and could easily motivate a teen to try something new, the simplistic and formulaic writing style becomes predictable and dull far before a reader finishes reading about the 25 girls. Each segment includes some basic information about the individual and her family, a picture or two, the story of her experience and success in her chosen activity, a brief section summarizing her accomplishments and motivation, and a "Go Exploring" section that lists resources and organizations a reader my contact for more information. The book closes with a section on developing the mental and physical skills needed to be a "Gutsy Girl" and an historical list of women who have made history in various fields. Overall, the book is a good reference for girls looking for a new hobby or activity, but is not a good choice for casual reading. 1999, Free Spirit Publishing, Ages 12 to 16, $14.94. Reviewer: Karen Porter ISBN: 1-57542-059-7 Best Books: Best Books for Young Adults, 1999 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2000 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States Madam C. J. Walker: Self-Made Businesswoman Della A. Yannuzzi   Hard work, intelligence and a belief in yourself can go a long way, but Sarah Breedlove McWilliams aka Madam C. J. Walker is a real inspiration. Close to forty, she pulled up stakes and went to Denver to open up her own business selling hair care products to African American Women. She prospered and eventually established a factory and in just seven years she had a network of 1500 agents. Although she lacked formal education, Walker hired tutors for herself and was a strong supporter of education. She made contributions to schools and even established Leila College to train her agents. She became a millionaire and unfortunately died fourteen years after establishing the business. The concluding chapter brings readers up to date about the fate of the company, her daughter and adopted granddaughter as well as the beautiful homes she owned in New York. An interesting biography featuring selected black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Chronology, notes and index. Part of the "African-American Biographies" series. 2000, Enslow, Ages 11 up, $19.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7660-1204-2 Women's Rights: Changing Attitudes 1900-2000 Kaye Stearman   This nonfiction book is one of a series on twentieth century issues, and it begins at the turn of the century and continues through to the dawn of the new millennium. With concise writing, photographs and drawings, women's rights are reported in a historical and global context, from citizenship rights to equal rights and equal opportunities. The topics covered include birth control, women in the work force during wars, liberation, abortion, women as soldiers, women in politics, women in science, and lesbianism. Sidebars are of two kinds-opinion, in which a quote appears, and key moment, in which a historical event is described. No graphs or charts are provided, but a glossary, a bibliography, and useful addresses of organizations sans web sites are included. 2000, Raintree/Steck-Vaughn, Ages 12 to 16, $27.12. Reviewer: Jacki Vawter ISBN: 0-8172-5892-2 Dancers/Singers Gloria Estefan Rebecca Stefoff   This readable and informative biography of this popular Cuban-American singer is also profusely illustrated. Part of the series "Hispanics of Achievement" this book, like others in the series focuses on the lives of prominent Hispanic men and women throughout history. It underscores the important role Hispanics have played in shaping world culture and, in this case, the world of music. It contains many black-and-white illustrations, bibliography and index. 1995 (1991), Chelsea House, Ages 10 up, $19.95 and $8.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7910-1244-1 Gloria Estefan Michael Benson    Lerner Publications and A&E (Arts and Entertainment Television) have collaborated to create a series of biographies about famous contemporary and historical personalities. If this one about the Cuban singer and her band (Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine) is any indication of the quality, then the series is highly recommended. Gloria's adult life is featured in this 100-page biography, though her roots and her childhood are given enough coverage that readers will understand who Gloria Estefan really is. Her successes, failures, triumphs, and tragedies are richly detailed and more interesting than voyeuristic to read. The appended discography and videography, along with the facts about this talented and innovative musician will more than satisfy fans. They and other readers will come away from this book with an appreciation for the musician's political commitment to free her homeland and the social consciousness that has helped her translate fame into works of charity and unity. 2000, Lerner Publications Company, $25.26 and $7.95. Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Judy Katsh ISBN: 0-8225-4982-4 ISBN: 0-8225-9692-X Isadora Duncan: Revolutionary Dancer Larry Sandomir   Isadora Duncan is the perfect choice for inclusion in a series on "American Troublemakers." As the facts of the life of this unorthodox and controversial mother of modern dance unveil, kids could be alternately delighted and maybe just a little shocked by her modus operandi. Duncan's burning ambition, her personal life-style of free love (strongly influenced by the early divorce of her parents during her childhood in San Francisco), her artistic high points, and her tragedies (the early loss of all three of her children born out of wedlock) not to mention her own stylish and extraordinary death are all detailed. Sandomir goes to some lengths to justify Duncan's deviations from the period norm of moral standards in this workmanlike but stolid biography of one of the world's true eccentrics. 1995. Raintree Steck-Vaughn, Ages 12 up, $27.11 Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0-8114-2380-8 Letter to the World: The Life and Dances of Martha Graham Trudy Garfunkel   Written by an author who loves to attend dance performances, this book is richly detailed with facts about Martha Graham's life and accompanied by excellent photographs. Graham was born in 1894, performed until she was seventy-four, and choreographed until her death at ninety-six. Her persistence and her love of dance led Graham to become one of America's most inspirational and successful dancers and choreographers. Garfunkel's book is a tribute to Graham's persistence and her love of dance. 1995, Little Brown, Ages 10 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Rae Valabek ISBN: 0-316-30413-1 Anna Pavlova, Genius of the Dance Ellen Levine   After eight-year-old Anna's mother took her to see the Sleeping Beauty ballet, the young Pavlova was determined to become a ballerina. She was not allowed to join the Imperial Ballet School until she was ten, but when she did, she quickly became one of its most talented dancers. Her great talent combined with hard work and a great love for the dance helped Anna become the most famous ballerina, first in Russia, and later in the world. Short, lively chapters give readers a good appreciation of not only her dancing, but also her world travels, her relationships with members of her troupe and ballet schools, and her ability to actually create new dances. Anna comes to life for the reader as a person as well as a dancer and artist. 1995, Scholastic, Ages 10 to 14, $14.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan ISBN: 0-590-44304-6 Best Books: Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of the Social Studies, 1995 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, April 1995 ; Cahners; United States Evelyn Cisneros, Prima Ballerina Charnan Simon   Simon ably relates the fascinating story of Mexican-American Evelyn Cisneros and her rise to stardom as a principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet. This photographic essay shows Cisneros both in practice and performance. Her stunning performances have earned her many awards. Emphasis is also placed on her efforts to inspire young children through talks at schools. 1990, Children's Press, Ages 5 up, $17.50. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-516-04276-9 Marian Anderson Anne Tedards    This is a biography of the well-known opera and concert singer who, among other achievements, was the first black soloist to sing at the White House and to perform with the Metropolitan Opera Company. She served as a delegate to the United Nations, sang at the inauguration of Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy, and received numerous awards and degrees. Her struggle against prejudice to become one of the great opera performers of the century serves as a model for all. 1988, Chelsea House, Ages 12 up, $17.95 and $9.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 1-5554-6638-9 When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson Pam Muñoz Ryan Illustrated by Brian Selznick    Ryan and Selznick have teamed up again to create a wonderful picture book biography of the great African American singer, Marian Anderson. Ryan's text begins in Marian's early years as her enormous musical talent is seen and nurtured. It also covers the prejudice Marian encountered as a child growing up in Philadelphia in the early part of the 20th century. Marian tried to enroll at a music school to study and was turned away because she was black. Yet her own church community saw the glory in her talent and helped support her as she developed it. As a professional adult, Marian sang to crowds in Europe, only to return home where concerns about "mixed audiences" and "appropriate venues" overshadowed her career. Marian went on to become one of the most famous singers of the 20th century. In 1939, Marian Anderson, much more than just a marvelous singer by that time, was invited to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday. 75,000 people of all colors came to share in Marian's great gift. While I found the text strong, the illustrations are beyond gorgeous. Selznick chose to use a sepia/chocolate tone throughout that is so rich and deep we can only see the color as beautiful. Marian's skin tones resonate throughout the book and that says so much. His sense of placement in Marian's performance scenes makes the reader feel as if they are in that particular audience. I particularly liked how Selznick's opening page is inviting us into a theater slowing filling up and it's counterpoint, at the end, has us in the theater watching the great Marian Anderson sing. He provides a luminous quality to Marian throughout that gives us a sense of how special she was--quite a visual challenge when the musical realm was where she reigned. Selznick did it here with attention to the lighting of his main character--a nice theatrical touch. The back matter was a wonderful enhancement to the text. I was so interested in Anderson by the end of the book that I was grateful for the extra information. And Selznick's story of how he came upon this information from his uncle speaks to the serendipity in life. This moving book works on so many levels--a strong biography, a wonderful multicultural story, a gorgeous picture book, and a story of profound determination. Overall, I had such a feel for Marian Anderson when I finished this book and I really hadn't before. It was just what I wanted from a biography. 2002, Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Joan Kindig ISBN: 0-439-26967-9 Best Books: The Children's Literature Choice List, 2002 ; Children's Literature; United States Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2002 ; American Library Association-Booklist; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, October 7, 2002 ; Cahners; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 2002 ; Cahners; United States School Library Journal: Best Books, 2002 ; Cahners; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Robert F. Sibert Information Book Award 2003 United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Texas Bluebonnet Award, 2004 ; Texas Musicians Her Piano Sang: A Story about Clara Schumann Barbara Allman Illustrated by Shelly O. Haas   It's fascinating to realize that many people have heard of Brahms, Bach and even Robert Schumann, Clara's husband, but few have ever heard about the renowned German composer and pianist, Clara Wicok Schumann. Clara was a child prodigy who started public performances in 1831 at age 9 under the tutelage of her father. This biography traces both Clara's musical career and her personal life which were both filled with struggles and challenges. Throughout the book, the reader is introduced to other famous musicians and composers who were friends of Clara's and who were in awe of her ability to make the piano sing. A wonderful story about a brilliant female musician. 1997, Carolrhoda Books, Ages 8 up, $18.95. Reviewer: Pat Metz ISBN: 1-5750-5012-9 Hidden Music: The Life of Fanny Mendelssohn Gloria Kamen   Kids reading this engrossing biography, especially girls, will surely be thankful that they were born in the 20th and not the 19th century. Fanny was a talented and accomplished musician, but due to the mores of the time, she was never able to showcase her compositions or virtuosity. She lived in the shadow of her brother Felix, and the story reveals that she depended on him to be her window to the world. For reasons unexplained, Felix grew distant from her and did not champion the publication of her music. In fact, he published some of her songs under his name. Fanny's more than 400 compositions are just beginning to come to light, and with this biography, Kamen has helped to shed light on the life of a truly amazing woman. Kamen's black and white sketches are a delight. The Epilog cites women who have since made a name for themselves as composers and conductors. A glossary and index are included. 1996, Atheneum, Ages 10 up, $15.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-689-31714-X Best Books: Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of the Social Studies, 1996 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States Public Service/Politics/Human Rights Advocates Abigail Adams: First Lady and Patriot Pat McCarthy    This comprehensive biography of Abigail Adams, wife of the second President, focuses on Adams's role as wife and mother, as well as on her reputation as "the first feminist in America." As is probably not surprising in a biography of a colonial woman, Adams's life is described primarily in relation to her more public husband, sons and other male relatives. Details of fashion, correspondence and family squabbles are also included, and these, as well as accounts of the all-too-common deaths of infants and children, give readers a sense of the domestic realities and tragedies of women's lives. A closing chapter entitled "The Legacy of Abigail Adams" puts her life in perspective. Sidebars provide definitions and historical context, and endnotes, a glossary, a chronology, an index and suggestions for further reading (including Internet sites) will aid in research. Readers desiring to read the biography straight through, though, might be disappointed at the scarcity of illustrations; although black and white reproductions of most of the major players are included, the only illustration in the book of Adams herself is the same one that appears on the book's cover. Inclusion of additional maps or drawings from the era could greatly enhance the biography's readability. This book is part of the "Historical American Biographies" series. 2002, Enslow, $20.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Norah Piehl ISBN: 0-7660-1618-8 Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Dan Santow   Eleanor Roosevelt is among the best known and most admired First Ladies. She grew up in a privileged family but with a dysfunctional set of parents, and after her mother died she was sent to live with her grandmother. A shy and not particularly attractive child, Eleanor didn't come into her own until she went to school abroad. She and her fifth cousin, Franklin Roosevelt met again on a train trip while he was a junior at Harvard and from there love blossomed. They married and raised a family of five children while Franklin became involved in state and then national politics. Eventually Eleanor became an outspoken proponent of child labor and crusaded to improve the living conditions of many Americans. She became a much sought after speaker and went on the stump for her husband. After his death she continued to be involved in world issues, served as a delegate to the United Nations and on the board of NAACP. She never stopped and she truly rose above any constraints that faced women and First Ladies in particular. The book is liberally illustrated with black-and-white and full color photographs. There is a timeline, list of all the presidents and first ladies, quick facts pages about Eleanor and Franklin, bibliography, list of Internet sites and an index. Part of the "Encyclopedia of First Ladies" series. 1999, Children's Press/Grolier, Ages 10 up, $33.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-516-20481-5 Aung San Suu Kyi: Fearless Voice of Burma Whitney Stewart   An extremely readable biography of the Burmese leader based on personal interviews with Aung San Suu Kyi and others in Burma. Stewart offers interesting details about the cultural and emotional underpinnings of her subject, who won the 1991 Nobel Prize for Peace while under house arrest. Children who have grown up taking democracy for granted may be appalled by the sort of things that go on, even in this day and age, when powerful government officials want to silence dissent. Yet, the courage, strength and continuing struggle of Kyi and her people should also impress them. 1997, Lerner, Ages 9 up, $23.95. Reviewer: Donna Freedman ISBN: 082254931X Best Books: Kaleidoscope, A Multicultural Booklist for Grades K-8, Third Edition, 2001 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of the Social Studies, 1997 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 1998 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States Barbara Pierce Bush Judith E. Greenberg   Barbara Bush is a descendent of President Franklin Pierce, married George Bush and became Fist Lady and depending on how the 2000 election goes may become the mother of a president. With all of that, she comes across as a warm, levelheaded woman who was entirely devoted to her husband, his career and her family. She traveled extensively with George and became an expert at moving and setting up a household, having done so (29 different homes during her first 40 years of married life). In addition to learning about Barbara and her family, kids will get a larger view of what was happening in the country through the many full and three-quarter page insets. A good introduction to this contemporary first lady that is liberally accompanied by black-and-white and full color photographs. There is a timeline, list of all the presidents and first ladies, quick facts pages about Barbara and George, bibliography, list of Internet sites and an index. Part of the "Encyclopedia of First Ladies" series. 1999, Children's Press/Grolier, Ages 10 up, $33.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-516-20475-0 Civil Rights Pioneer: A Story about Mary Church Terrell Gwyneth Swain Illustrations by Ellen Beier   Less widely known than other African American role models of the past century, Mary Church Terrell was a force in the earliest years of the Civil Rights movement. The child of former slaves, young Mary earned a college degree when women of any race were seldom educated. Her husband, Robert Terrell, boasted equal achievements and was the country's first black Federal judge. However, Mary Terrell's accomplishments were independent of her husband's successes. As president of the National Association for Colored Women, she led the fight for kindergartens for black children and fought to integrate lunch counters in Washington, D.C. This is a lively and engaging biography of an inspiring woman. 1999, Carolrhoda Books, Ages 8 to 12, $21.97. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross ISBN: 1-57505-355-1 Clara Barton And Her Victory Over Fear Robert Quackenbush   This biography of Barton for younger children lays strong emphasis on her childhood years. Overcoming shyness and a common fear of things like thunder storms, Clara grows up to wander the fields of Civil War battles, bringing succor to the wounded as the thunder of gunfire and cannon ring in her ears. Proper emphasis is also placed on her founding of the American Red Cross. 1995, Aladdin, Ages 7 to 11, $4.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr ISBN: 0-689-80124-6 Cleopatra Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema Illustrated by Diane Stanley   Striking paintings in ancient Roman style, combined with an accurate and lively text, make this biography of Cleopatra particularly appealing. Although a picture book format is used, the text is longer than most of this genus and the subject matter more suitable to an older age than the usual picture book audience. The authors have done a wonderful job of dispelling myths about Cleopatra and of making a rather complex historical milieu accessible to both young readers and adults. Mosaic borders on each page add to the beauty of the book's design and have become a Stanley trademark. Includes index, bibliography, preface, introduction, epilogue and maps. Publishers Weekly Best Book. 1994, Morrow, Ages 8 up, $15.00 and $14.93. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan ISBN: 0-688-10413-4 ISBN: 0-688-10414-2 Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1994 ; American Library Association-Booklist; United States Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Books for Children, 1994 ; American Library Association-ALSC; United States Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books, 1994 ; Cahners; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, July 1994 ; Cahners; United States Confederate Ladies of Richmond Susan Provost Beller   Richmond, Virginia is a beautiful city with broad, tree-lined streets and spacious homes. It is a city steeped in the history of this country. The "ladies" of Richmond tell the story of their city and their experiences during the Civil War. Those who share their diaries were the educated women of the upper classes of this Southern society. They express their beliefs about slavery, war, and respect for the fighting soldier. The fourteen chapters give the reader a first-hand look at the Civil War and it's effect on the society of Richmond. Source notes, recommended websites, and an index are included. This book would be a good addition to a social studies unit about the Civil War. 1999, Twenty-First Century Books, Ages 10 to 14, $25.90. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: