JULIA WARD HOWE Girl of Old New York

A lively, appealing book in the same series. Of the fabulous Howe family in general, and of wild, redheaded Julia in particular. A distinctive family background, a comprehensible emphasis on the liberal, humane tradition, indicates the conditioning of the girl who became a successful woman's leader and gained fame as the author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, which inspired the nation in the Civil War. There is lots of romantic interest and unusually good characterization; the first railroad is a vivid adventure. Worthy reading for all fifth graders and up and it may be successfully recommended all the way to high school. Girls will find it more appealing than boys, but it is fine source material for life in New York in 1830 and later. If read in conjunction with Green Peace by Marjorie Hayes (Lippincott, page 317, 7/15 bulletin) it makes a good, continuous, intimate view of the Howes and their contributions to American life.