Women's History Month
On March 19, 1911, Klara Zetkin, a German woman, organized the very first International Women's Day. But interest in the day was low until the women’s movement of the 1960s & 70s. Then in 1978 schools started Women’s History Week to teach women’s history. It became so popular that in 1981 Congress passed a resolution so that the entire nation would celebrate Women’s History Week. Not long after that the celebration extended to the month of March. The theme for the 2011 Women’s History Month is “Writing Women Back into History.”
Today, Women’s History Month is most often celebrated in schools and libraries and other organizations studying women, past and present, that have pushed boundaries and made a lasting impact on the world. The books in this feature are a selection of recent books for parents, teachers, librarians, and caregivers to use with children and teens.
For more information please visit:
http://womenshistorymonth.gov/
http://www.nwhp.org/whm/index.php
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/specials/articles/0,28285,101044,00.html
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Ballots for Belva: The True Story of a Women's Race for the Presidency
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Illustrated by Courtney A. Martin
Belva Lockwood believed in "will-power and mental effort, combined with indefatigable labor" to combat 19th century sexism. Wanting to attend law school, she remained undaunted despite rejections from universities fearing she would "distract the attention of the young men." Denied her diploma, she complained directly to National University Law School President Ulysses S. Grant (who at the time also happened to be the President of the United States). And she ran legally for U.S. president at a time when women were still denied the vote. Though she had her detractors, others supported her, and the Washington Evening Star wrote that "Mrs. Lockwood, if elected, will have a policy [which] will commend itself to all people of common sense." Young readers will cheer Belva's can-do spirit while being astounded (and probably outraged) by the obstacles in her path, including men who dressed as women to mock her and vote counters who threw away her votes. Courtney Martin's artwork depicts intriguing period details (Belva commuting on a large tricycle, for example) and portrays Belva as a strong-bodied woman with determined eyes. 2008, Abrams, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780810971103
Becoming Billie Holiday
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
This touching collection of fictional poems chronicles the life of Billie Holliday who began life as Eleanora Fagan. Throughout her unnaturally brief childhood she spent time with various family members and in the care of social services. School and work for her were at times filled with unimaginable struggles. After many, many nights working and singing in low-level clubs, Billie Holliday began to be appreciated for her unique jazz sound and eventually earned her place in the Harlem jazz scene. The poems, which share titles with Holliday's songs, trace the singer's emotional and mental journey as well as her travels and rise to fame. The poetry is heartfelt, frank, and at times troubling as it describes the hardscrabble life and environment in which Billie Holliday lived and emerged from as one of the greatest jazz singers in history. Incidents of abuse, neglect, rape, and prostitution are part of the narrative that is woven together from Weatherford's account of the life of Billie Holliday. Cooper's beautiful illustrations add to the passion and sentiment of the poetry and give the narrative weight by grounding it with faces from Holliday's era. Weatherford presents a true masterpiece of emotion, toil, and hardship as she artfully relates the story of how Eleanora Fagan became Billie Holliday. 2008, Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, $19.95. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Katie DeWald (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781590785072
Borrowed Names: Poems about Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam C.J. Walker, Marie Curie, and Their Daughters
Jeannine Atkins
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam C. J. Walker, and Marie Curie were all born in 1867. All three made names for themselves when it was truly still a man's world. All three also had daughters who were heavily involved with their mothers' careers. Laura and Rose Wilder were not close while Rose grew up, but they ended up working together on the famous Little House books, working so closely, in fact, that who wrote what can be called into question. Madam C. J. and A'Lelia Walker lived in poverty, until Madam C. J. created hair care products and made a fortune. A'Lelia enjoyed the fruits of her mother's success and tried, unsuccessfully, to get her mother to slow down and enjoy them herself. Irene Curie struggled to get close to her distant, workaholic mother by being an exceptional student and scientist. Sadly, Irene followed in her mother's footsteps, being an indifferent parent to her own children while earning her own Nobel Prize. Atkins conjures up rich images with her spare poems and clearly shows readers the Wilders' simple home, Madam Walker's giant factory, and the Curies' garage laboratory. She carefully reveals Rose's wanderlust, A'Lelia's joy at being able to buy nice clothes, and Irene's tunnel vision as she seeks her mother's approval. The end matter includes a timeline placing the women in context with history and with each other, as well as a selected bibliography. Photos of all the women are included, showing them at the height of their fame. This enjoyable biographical/historical book should be accessible even to reluctant readers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P M (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2010, Henry Holt and Company, 224p.; Photos. Biblio. Chronology., $16.99. Ages 11 to 14. Reviewer: Geri Diorio (VOYA, August 2010 (Vol. 33, No. 3)).
ISBN: 9780805089349
Bylines: A Photobiography of Nellie Bly
Sue Macy
Born in a tiny town in western Pennsylvania just before the Civil War ended, Nellie Bly, nee Elizabeth Jane Cochran, became a popular national heroine before the age of twenty-five when she circumnavigated the globe--by herself--in seventy-two days. Although the name may be vaguely familiar to those of us living today, few will know about the extent of her accomplishments that were predominantly focused on exposing corruption and bettering the lot of the disenfranchised, especially women. She was simply a ground-breaking figure for women in journalism, often going undercover into dangerous situations to spotlight bad situations and advocate for change through her writing. Left in relative poverty by the death of her father at a young age, she worked her way into reporting in Pittsburg, then New York City. During WWI, she was a war correspondent based in Austria. Along the way, she was briefly married to a millionaire and, as a widow, became head of a steel works company. It is a remarkable story about a remarkable woman. As you would expect from National Geographic, it is lavishly illustrated with archival photos and abundantly referenced for follow up investigation. Any school library would benefit from adding this title and it can serve as an inspiration to young female readers and a stimulus to conversation about the history of women in this country. 2009, National Geographic Society, $19.95. Ages 9 to 15. Reviewer: Paula McMillen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781426305139
ISBN: 9781426305146
Cathy Williams, Buffalo Soldier
Sharon Solomon
Illustrated by Doreen Lorenzetti
The Buffalo Soldiers were a regiment of African American soldiers protecting the expanding Western territories after the Civil War. Indians gave the regiment their name, because they thought the soldiers' hair looked curly like buffalo hair. Cathy Williams was the first woman to enlist in the United States Army after the Civil War. As a former slave, she could neither read nor write, so she had few employment opportunities. She disguised herself as a man and used the name William Cathay. Although Cathy helped protect the Western settlers from robbers and Indians, she revealed her true identify only when she retired from army life. She joined the army not to make history but to earn a living without having to depend on friends and family. This picture book biography tells her inspiring story. Illustrations evoke the post-Civil War era well. An "Afterword" gives a brief summary of Williams' life after she left the service. A "Bibliography" provides excellent sources for further research. Williams' life story remains a daring and courageous role model for all those seeking to better their lives. The book is an excellent supplement for the studies of the American Civil War, especially events on the Western front after the war ended; and for Women's History and Black History Months. 2010, Pelican, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Annie Laura Smith (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781589808010
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
Phillip Hoose
Most of us are aware of what Rosa Parks did in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat on the segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. It was a historic moment, but I also knew that there had been another young woman who had refused to move from her seat, but the details about her and the event were scant. Hoose has done a remarkable job researching and obtaining first person accounts of the bus incident involving a teenager named Claudette Colvin. Her bravery in the face of bullying from the bus driver and the police officers was remarkable. So was her agreement to be one of the ones to testify in Browder v. Gayle, a major Civil Rights case. Stepping back to the incident of Claudette's arrest, all charges against her except assaulting an officer (which she did not attempt) were dropped. It left her with a criminal record and the lawyers in the Civil Rights Movement had no case to appeal in relation to segregation. However, the experience changed Claudette's life forever. She was not treated as a heroine--actually pretty much the opposite--and since she was on probation her life took a drastic turn in that she stayed near home and family. Her one outlet was the NAACP youth meeting where Rosa Parks appointed her as youth secretary. However, her chance to shine came when Fred Gray, a young NAACP lawyer, proposed a challenge to the constitutionality of a state law in the hope that the case would be taken up by a three-judge federal panel. It was and now Fred had to find plaintiffs who would be able to stand up to the pressure of testifying before these judges. Claudette was among those chosen and who immediately agreed to be a plaintiff. Charles Langford, one of the plaintiff's lawyers, stated "if there was a star witness in the boycott case, it had to be Claudette Colvin." Hoose focuses on the difficulties in Claudette's life, her pregnancy as a teenager, her move north, the birth of another child, and eventually the turn around that came when she began work as a nurse's aide. Her place in the Civil Rights Movement remained in the shadows until fairly recently, but now her story has been told. It is one that stays with the reader and you cannot help but marvel at what she did as a teenager. My only frustration with the book was wanting to know a bit more about this woman in her later years and also what happened to her two sons. That aside, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand more about segregation, Jim Crow laws, life in Montgomery before and during the bus boycott, and perhaps get a glimmer of what kind of grit fighting segregation took. 2009, Melanie Kroupa Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, $19.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780374313227
Cleopatra Rules! The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen
Vicky Alvear Shecter
This nonfiction book looks at Cleopatra's life from her perspective. Based upon journals and personal letters, it has been determined that this mother of four kept the Romans from taking over Egypt for twenty years. She was smart, well read, powerful, attractive, and multilingual. She spoke Greek, Egyptian, Arabic, Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin, and Persian, as well as several African dialects. Her family was depicted as a power hungry bunch of people vying for the throne. On one occasion when Cleopatra and her father, Pharaoh Ptolemy XII, were out of the country, his eldest daughter named herself Queen. Upon returning from their trip, the Pharaoh had this daughter beheaded for treason. One had to be careful in this family! Cleopatra paid attention and was named the Queen upon her father's death. Here, her personal history continues after her death, following the lives of her children. Additionally, there are details about mores and styles during this era, including the popularity of wearing wigs, types of children's toys, the common practice of brother-sister marriages, the use of the Julian Calendar, the power of Egyptian jewelry, how cosmetics were created, and mummification. The book is neatly organized with a table of contents, endnotes, a timeline, a glossary, a bibliography, picture sources, and an index. The photographs are crisp and clear. This resource is geared for young adult females. Although there are numerous fascinating facts, many of Shecter's descriptions date the material in her book. References to roller blades, frenemies, photoshopping, reality show stars, and texting become a bit overwhelming as these types of words and other similes are found on almost every page. Aside from that, social studies, geography, and history classes in middle school and high school may have a hard time keeping the book away from girls. 2010, Boyds Mills Press, $17.95. Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Cheryl Williams Chang (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781590787182
The Cowgirl Way: Hats Off to America's Women of the West
Holly George-Warren
Ending with the sentence, "Being a cowgirl, after all, never goes out of style," this is a book that will appeal to most ardent female buckaroos and wanna-bes. Divided into seven chapters that gallop from "Women in the Old West" to "Twenty-First-Century Cowgirls," this book will serve to pique and promote curiosity, not to sate it, since there is obviously so much more to tell about the many women (almost too many) featured in the book. By about the third chapter, I wanted more details about individual women and fewer names tossed out with abandon. I almost wish the author would take each chapter and develop it into an individual book in order to expand on many of the stories only hinted at in this initial round-up. George-Warren attempts to cover a lot of territory by including overviews of life for these women, from the rodeo stars who were edged out of the competition because they would best the male competitors, to women who became outlaws and rebelled against the feminine norms of their era. In each portrayal of "real" cowgirls, the grit, determination, courage, and sense of adventure shine through. In several chapters, though, the author also pays tribute to pseudo-cowgirls who portrayed the Hollywood version of the occupation, such as Dale Evans and Barbara Stanwyck. The book contains many historical photos, period posters, and artistic depictions, with a few nicely done, but unattributed, wood block prints at the back. 2010, Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $18.00. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Maggie Chase (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780618737383
Elizabeth Blackwell: America's First Female Doctor
Barbara A. Somervill
This interesting biography of a little-known female pioneer is well done. The text, factual and suitable for elementary school children, contains much information about Blackwell's life, motivations, political beliefs, and her personal relationships. Clearly, she had qualities of determination, persistence, and courage. She practiced medicine both in the United States and England. Also, in sidebars, the text contains profiles of famous people she met who were her contemporaries, facts about slavery, and other matters of historical context such as women and education, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and germ theory (which Blackwell did not believe in). The book is also well illustrated and should be of great interest to those seeking a subject for reports or who are interested in how the present world was shaped. Part of the "Life Portraits" series. 2009, Gareth Stevens, $34.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Myrna Dee Marler (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781433900556
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Woman Knows the Cost of Life
Deborah Kent
Kent hooks the reader by beginning with the first Women's Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848, the event that propelled Cady Stanton onto the national and international stage, and secured her place in women's history. She then goes back to Stanton's childhood and continues chronologically. She draws upon key events that influenced Cady Stanton's adulthood and impacted her views of gender roles. Readers will learn about her lifelong friendship with Susan B. Anthony, dress reform, and the difficult task of securing the vote for women. Incidents from her private and public lives show both her strengths and weaknesses. The hardships of nineteenth century travel and the lecture circuit are included. Quotes from her speeches and writings enliven the text and are documented in the chapter notes in the back. Sidebars offer more detailed information on documents and the background of people and topics mentioned in the text. Photos and illustrations are interspersed in a readable, well-organized overview of the life of a key figure in the woman's suffrage movement. Also at the back of the book are a timeline, an index, a bibliography and internet addresses. This all provides solid information for a report. 2010, Enslow Publishers, $31.93. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780766033573
Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty
Linda Glaser
Illustrated by Claire A. Nivola
Although she grew up in a wealthy, loving family, lacking nothing, when Emma Lazarus met poor immigrants in New York Harbor she determined to help them. Many New Yorkers did not want these ragged people in their city, but Emma, already a well-known writer, tried to call attention to their plight in her newspaper articles and poems. In the 1880's, when France was building a huge statue as a gift for the United States to be built in New York Harbor, money was needed for a pedestal. Writers like Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and others like Emma were asked to write something to raise funds. Thinking of the immigrants and how the statue might greet them, Emma wrote the inspirational welcoming words now engraved on a plaque at the entrance to the pedestal. Nivola's stylized but naturalistic illustrations in watercolors and gouache depict the people of the period in appropriate dress and settings, from the Lazarus family and their fashionable home to the immigrants in their life struggles. A couple of scenes depict the statue being constructed and finished. On the front of the cover, a group of immigrants peers over at the distant statue, while on the back an immigrant family walks past Emma's house as she writes upstairs. The end papers reproduce her sonnet as she wrote it. A note adds information about her. 2010, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, $17.00. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780547171845
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Jacqueline Kelly
Calpurnia is an active, inquisitive eleven-year-old girl, living in a small Texas town in 1899. She takes no interest in cooking or sewing and is, in fact, inept in all household duties. Calpurnia is the only girl in a family of seven children, so her mother keeps trying to domesticate her, but Calpurnia consistently resists. She has developed a special relationship with her eccentric grandfather, a scientist and naturalist. They explore the nearby river and woods and are excited about the possibility of having discovered a new plant. Granddaddy loans her his copy of Darwin's The Origin of Species, and a quotation from the book appears at the beginning of each chapter. Calpurnia reads this book and others, records her findings and questions in a journal, and aspires to become a scientist. Other than her grandfather, her family does not support her in this quest. Her future is left uncertain, but readers will be rooting for her to achieve her goal. This book presents an engaging piece of historical-fiction depicting the roles and expectations for women at the turn of the twentieth century. 2009, Henry Holt and Company/Macmillan, $16.99. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780805088410
Fearless: The Story of Racing Legend Louis Smith
Barb Rosenstock
Illustrated by Scott Dawson
Boldly illustrated with additional background information to enhance this opportune biography, children and adults learn about a young girl's dreams to drive "Fast! Faster! Flying! Free!" through decades of change. For women in the 20th century auto racing was not as popular or sought after as other fields dominated by men like politics, business, sports, or aerospace. However, solid inroads became more evident after the mid-1970's as the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR ) and other entities officially allowed women drivers. Up until then, it was a cut-throat world of constant danger, meager pay and unabashed limitations. Louis Smith may not have won every race she entered; she suffered severe injuries over and over again. Races were filthy dirty, cars were not always reliable, rewards were not tangible or forthcoming, and certainly motel living was far from home. However, Smith continued racing throughout her long life no matter the obstacles. No matter the rules, determination led the way in following her heart. Forty-three years after she left the racing world, she was the first woman elected to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Students readily connect with those who pursue daring adventures and demonstrate tremendous courage. The text is appropriately brief and yet quite vivid, that nicely accelerates with every turn of the page. Youngsters can begin studying about women who have successful careers against tremendous odds by incorporating this inspiring book. 2010, Dutton Children's Books/Penguin Young Reader's Group, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Susan Treadway, M.Ed (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-525-42173-3
Girls' Ice Hockey: Dominating the Rink
Tami Johnson
Welcome to the extremely exciting and fast paced world of ice hockey. Many people assume that ice hockey is only a sport for men. Even today it is extremely male dominated. This book gives an insider's look into the role that women have played in the sport and their lengthy history as players. It continues on to the present day where women's ice hockey receives a lot more notice. The surge in public interest in the sport accompanied the USA's win in the 1998 winter Olympics. You can learn about what it takes to play, the gear, and some of the more important rules and aspects of the game. There are also quick little biographies of some of the more notable women playing today. One of the best parts of the book is the encouragement it offers young girls that are interested in playing ice hockey and other sports. It offers ideas for sports scholarships and insight about professional organizations. The pictures and graphics throughout are marvelous, very bright, and interesting. This book would be a great addition to an elementary school library and a great way to diversify a collection. 2008, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Melyssa Malinowski (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781429601337
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies
Mick Cochrane
Eighth grader Molly Williams has more than the usual share of problems. Her father was killed in a car accident, and her mother has become withdrawn in her grief. Now, Molly has decided that instead of playing softball this year, she's going to try out for the boys' baseball team as a pitcher. Negotiating through this new version of her life proves challenging for Molly, who is still trying to make sense of her father's sudden demise. Even as Molly deals with the new version of her mother and some resistance from the girls at school, she manages to make an impression on the baseball coach with her knuckleball. Molly's father taught her the knuckleball, also known as "throwing butterflies," and she wants to carry this legacy with her. Molly's voice is dead-on for a middle school girl and draws the reader into her story. She manages to work her way through each obstacle in a way that is captivating and completely realistic. The "girl playing boys' sports" story has been told before, but instead of the usual focus on the battle for acceptance, this novel focuses on Molly's emotional journey and her efforts to figure out exactly where she belongs in her life now. This is a memorable read with appeal for both boys and girls. It would be an excellent addition to any collection. 2009, Alfred A. Knopf/Random House, $15.99. Ages 11 to 16. Reviewer: Sharon Oliver (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375856822
ISBN: 9780375956829
Imogene's Last Stand
Candace Fleming
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Young Imogene Tripp lives in the small town of Liddleville, New Hampshire. From babyhood she has been fascinated by history. She is distressed by the condition of the neglected Liddleville Historical Society building. After cleaning it up and organizing it, Imogene waits for visitors in vain. One day a notice is posted stating that the building will be torn down for construction of a shoelace factory. Appalled, Imogene protests to the mayor, but he is firm. "Who cares about history?" he asks. In one of her many quotes from history, Imogene declares, "I have not yet begun to fight!" She keeps trying to make the town care, but everyone is on the side of the shoelaces. In her last goodbye to the Society, however, Imogene finds a letter from George Washington, proving that he had slept there. Spreading the word, she stops the bulldozers until the president arrives to declare the house a national landmark. She has saved it. This feisty female is supported by a woman president as well. Carpenter's sketchy, pen-and-ink drawings with digital media are informative as well as light-hearted. She fills the long double-page spreads with attractive scenes of the town and the collections in the museum. Imogene is a delightful young heroine; the mayor is a proper, pudgy politician. The comparatively slight story is not only inspiring. It is also a way of introducing history through the quotations used by Imogene that are placed in historic context on the end pages. 2009, Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House Children's Books, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375836077
Jane Goodall: Researcher Who Champions Chimps
Mike Venezia
Jane Goodall, one of the world's leading experts about chimpanzee behavior, always had an interest in animals, but her path to fame followed an unlikely road. In this volume of "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Inventors and Scientists" series, Goodall's childhood and career are examined. Growing up, Goodall's mother encouraged her interest in nature, and when they moved to Bournemouth, in southern England, during World War II, Goodall discovered it was a great place to explore and observe nature. In the late 1950s, Goodall went to Kenya to visit a friend, and got a job as a typist in Nairobi. Friends who knew of her interest in animal behavior urged her to contact Louis Leakey, a famous anthropologist and paleontologist, as well as curator of the local natural history museum. Leakey hired Goodall as an assistant at the museum and, impressed by her curiosity and self-taught knowledge of animal behavior, sent her to a remote part of Africa to observe chimpanzees. Little was known about how chimps lived in the wild and Goodall revealed many surprising facts about chimp behavior. In the nearly fifty years that Goodall has been working with chimps, she has received a doctoral degree in ethology, written many books, started the Jane Goodall Institute, and set up shelters for chimps. Each title in the series includes photographs, maps, whimsical illustrations, a glossary, and an index. Though the book appears slight, the conversational tone makes for an engaging and surprisingly informative read. 2010, Children's Press/Scholastic, $28.00. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Amanda MacGregor (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780531237311
The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy
Kitty Griffin
Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
According to legend, in 1766 a young North Carolina girl named Betsy Dowdy wanted freedom from England, and decided to help it along. When Betsy's father announced that the redcoats were marching to the Great Bridge to capture supplies and ponies, Betsy knew she had to warn the freedom fighters. The militia's camp was fifty miles away so Betsy rode her horse Bess to the camp. They plunged into rough cold channel water, rode through spooky marshland, and fought off wild dogs. When Betsy finally reached the river, she begged Mr. Lamb to take her and Bess across the river on his raft. When Betsy reached dry land, she rode as fast as Bess would take her. She fought off sleep until it overcame her and she hit a tree bough that knocked her to the ground. Bess pawed the ground as Betsy climbed right back onto her horse. She rode and rode until the morning light washed away the darkness and she had reached General Skinner's camp. She told the General what the redcoats were planning to do. The General called Betsy a "remarkable woman," but she answered, "I just know how to ride." Seven months later after Betsy's ride, the American colonies united and claimed their freedom from England. The illustrations complement the text as they capture the dangerous journey of Betsy and her horse. Back material includes an Author's Note and Acknowledgments. 2010, Atheneum Books/Simon and Schuster, $16.99. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781416928164
Soccerland
Beth Choat
Fourteen-year-old Flora Dupre lives in Acadia, Maine. She helps her Pa, Mamere, Papere, and other family members maintain their potato farm. She is a loving daughter, a good student, a friend to many, and an excellent soccer player. Aside from her family, playing soccer is the most important thing in her life. With the help of her high school coach, she is given the opportunity to live in Colorado for two weeks to compete against ninety-nine other girls for a highly treasured spot on the U-15 National Development Program for women's U.S. Soccer. She will live with some of the best, young, up-and-coming American athletes as they compete to win one of twenty-five spots on the team. Flora has never been far from home, and she will miss Harvest Break, a two-week period when schools are closed so the local crops can be pulled. Her family is excited for her, but they do not completely understand what she is experiencing in Colorado. Just as she begins to get comfortable, something happens at home in Maine. She has to make a difficult decision--one that could affect everything. This young adult, coming-of-age novel deals with good sportsmanship, playing sports competitively, how to handle mean girls, and thinking independently. The well-crafted story will make a nice addition in any physical education classroom as well as a middle or high school library. 2010, Marshall Cavendish, $16.99. Ages 12 to 15. Reviewer: Cheryl Williams Chang (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761457244
Sojourner Truth: Speaking Up for Freedom
Geoffrey Michael Horn
Sojourner Truth was born around 1797 in New York. Her parents were slaves, and, therefore, she was one too. She lived a difficult life as a slave working for families who often beat her, but she was able to marry and had five children. Sojourner did not become legally free until 1827 when New York ended slavery. She earned a living by cleaning houses, but she soon became a traveling preacher, speaking the word of God. Her real name was Isabella, but she changed it to Sojourner Truth because she was a traveler who spoke the truth. When she was 53, Sojourner had a book published called Northern Slave. It told her story through 1849. A new edition came out in 1875 when she was nearly 80 years old. Sojourner spoke out against slavery throughout the 1850s. She went to live in Battle Creek, Michigan where the abolitionist movement was active. She continued to fight for the rights of women and also spoke against the sale of use of alcoholic beverages. She lived in Battle Creek until her death on November 26, 1883. The author has written a detailed biography of a remarkable woman. Sidebars are included as well as a chronology, glossary, reading list, websites, and color and black--and-white photographs. 2010, Crabtree Publishing Company, $20.60 and $10.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780778748403
The Taxing Case of the Cows: A True Story about Suffrage
Irish Van Rynbach and Pegi Deitz Shea
Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
In 1869, the town leaders of Glastonbury, Connecticut taxed only the property of single female landowners, and it required them to pay the whole amount they owed immediately. The two unmarried Smith sisters jointly owned a farm, and they decided to fight the tax by not paying. They said it was "taxation without representation," which "is what drove the American colonies to rebel against England in 1776." They attended town meetings to air their complaints, but they were often not allowed to speak. So, Abby spoke about their complaint from an ox cart on the town green. When a new tax collector took their cows in payment and set about auctioning them off, the sisters found that many of the townsfolk supported their cause. Then a neighbor, who wanted some of their land, got the leaders to take "temporary ownership." At auction, he paid less than the land was worth. The sisters went to court and won their case on final appeal. The sisters continued to petition the Connecticut state legislature for the right to vote. They toured America giving speeches and writing about women's right to vote. "The sisters did not live to see it, but they played a part in making it happen." Women received the vote in 1920. The watercolored pen-and-ink drawings show the two ladies and their cows with humor. Readers will learn about and enjoy this slice of American history. 2010, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16.99. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Carlee Hallman (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780547236315
Tillie the Terrible Swede: How One Woman, a Sewing Needle, and a Bicycle Changed History
Sue Stauffacher
Illustrated by Sarah McMenemy
In 1889 at the age of fourteen, Tillie Anderson comes to America from Sweden seeking a better life. Good with a needle, she works in a tailor shop, waiting for a dream. One day she finds it when she sees a bicycle. Although bicycles are not supposed to be for ladies, Tillie saves her money to buy one, dreaming not of slow, graceful riding but of the thrill of racing. While practicing, Tillie also designs and sews an outfit that scandalizes the neighbors but that she is comfortable in while riding. Soon she is winning races and setting records. She becomes famous. Her friend and fellow-cyclist, Phillip Shoberg, becomes her manager and later her husband. She is an inspiration to young girls, but considered "unwomanly." Women's rights organizations cheer her. After becoming "champion of the world," Tillie moves on to motor cars. The gouache, hand-painted paper collage, and black India ink flat illustrations include maps of races, indoor races, newspaper clippings, Tillie's bicycle wedding, her trophy cabinet, etc. with minimal details and a light-hearted approach. The front end pages are framed items from the women's wardrobes of the day. In contrast, the back end pages show the details of her "Record Breakers" and "Cycling Victories." 2011, Alfred A.Knopf/Random House Children's Books, Ages 5 to 8, $17.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-84442-3
ISBN: 978-0-375-94442-0
A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson
Barbara Dana
A fictionalized account of the childhood of Emily Dickinson. Young Emily is a spirited girl who does not like to be told how to feel or what to do. She is expected by family members and friends to behave herself and become accomplished in the traditional talents of young women of her time. In fact, her father considers her "the best little girl in Amherst." But Emily questions her elders, including her parents, and wishes to make her own way in the world. Entranced early on with the power and wonder of words, Emily makes sense of her life by creating poems that capture the world from her eyes. When her closest friend challenges Emily for her lack of desire to marry and live for her husband, Emily realizes she must make her way alone. Author Barbara Dana weaves phrases of Dickinson's work into the novel, as well as making up poems in Dickinson's style. Author's Notes at the end of the book identify Dickinson's phrases and place the story in context. 2009, HarperTeen/HarperCollins, $16.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780060287047
ISBN: 9780060287054
Whose Tale is True? Readers Theatre to Introduce and Research 49 Amazing American Women
Nancy Polette
Polette, author of many books on using literature to teach critical thinking, introduces a novel way to bring history alive. Selecting forty-nine famous American women from the colonial period through today, she sets up the equivalent of a quiz show. Three readers present the same historical figure but with slightly different facts. Based on research, thinking skills, and careful listening, students decide which of the three is telling the truth. Subjects range from Martha Washington to Oprah Winfrey. This resource is not grab-and-go. Teachers will need to have biographical information available, as no life summaries are included in the book. Some clues are easily overlooked or not readily known (e.g., when the six-shooter was invented), while others are obvious, such as a reference to computers in a selection about Jane Addams (d. 1935). A number of the resources suggested in Further Reading are older titles that may not be readily available. (One for contemporary country singer Loretta Lynn was published in 1976.) Each selection includes suggested activities, some of which are creative (composing an acrostic poem), while others may cause students to cringe (singing a song about Martha Washington to the tune of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"). This resource is most suitable for younger students. The format is fun, and they will enjoy the game-show aspect. Teachers can easily adapt and enlarge the idea for student projects and classroom use. With supplemental information and reference sources close by, students will sharpen listening and reasoning skills and have a good time in the process. 2009, Libraries Unlimited, 167p.; Further Reading., $25 pb. Ages adult professional. Reviewer: Kathleen Beck (VOYA, February 2010 (Vol. 32, No. 6)).
ISBN: 9781591587620
Women Daredevils: Thrills, Chills, and Frills
Julie Cummins
Illustrated by Cheryl Harness
This is one fun and exciting book! The author highlights 14 women who were the first women daredevils in a number of areas between 1880 and 1929. From "human cannonball" Zazel to bicycle riders Mlle. D'Zizi and Gertrude Breton--forerunners of Evil Knieval and his motorcycling leaps over buses--each of the women is highlighted as to her "extreme sport" and the specifics of that challenge as well as to the personal challenges she faced in life. Detailed pen and pencil drawings provide younger readers with fabulous poster-like visuals of both the woman and her particular circus act or daring escapade. Cultural tidbits, such as the fact that American President Woodrow Wilson came to the circus to specifically watch May Wirth, "The World's Greatest Bareback Rider," and the news that parachutist Georgie Broadwick tested an aerial life preserver for the Aviation Bureau of the U.S. Navy, are fun to read. Women wing walkers, the first woman to ride down Niagara Falls in a barrel, the first woman wild animal trainer, and the girl with the high-diving horse help to round out this fascinating book. A must-have for any library or any household with adventurous young women in it! 2008, Dutton Children's Books, $17.99. Ages 6 to 12. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780525479482
You Can't Do That, Amelia!
Kimberly Wagner Klier
Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly
As an introduction to Amelia Earhart, pioneer aviator, this partial biography with its big, bright pictures (lots of reds and glowing yellows) will capture attention for its adventurous heroine and highlight her major triumphs. The darker side of her life is not presented (her father's defection, the frantic activity brought about by her rapid rise to celebrity), nor is the tragedy and mystery of her disappearance included. The story ends with her landing in an Irish farmer's field after a stormy solo crossing of the Atlantic. "She couldn't have done that! thought the farmer. But Amelia did!" The illustrator introduces into the pictures a number of fascinating details that are not mentioned in the text; readers may wonder, for example, why Amelia is dressed in a nurse's uniform as she watches a plane flying overhead, but may also be intrigued by her typical boyish outfits, especially the tall, laced boots. The drama is heightened by the author's repetition of the title line, "You can't do that, Amelia!" by cousins, pilots, reporters and the Irish farmer. For curious readers who want to know more, a final section expands this abbreviated account with a longer biography (even here downplaying her marriage to publisher and publicist George Putnam and the books she wrote), a timeline of major accomplishments, lists of other books to read, some excellent websites and Earhart places to visit. 2008, Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills Press, $16.95. Ages 7 to 11. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781590784679
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Added 2/24/11
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