by Jeannine Atkins & illustrated by Dušan Petričić ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2003
Among the current proliferation of books about aviation due to the upcoming centennial (December 17, 2003) of the Wright brothers’ historic flight, here is one that finally focuses on women and their collective role and contributions. As the subtitle states, these stories profile ten women who challenged prejudices and rules, both written and unwritten, to take their place in the skies. The strength of this effort is the overall picture it composes as each chapter segues to the next, spinning a thread of continuity and mounting a history. The key word in the writing approach is “story,” as the author uses created dialogue to humanize these women, foreshortening the account and making each chapter almost anecdotal in style. Fifteen chapters are grouped into four parts: “Dreams and Beginnings” (Katharine Wright, Blanche Stuart Scott, Bessie Coleman); “First Women’s Cross-Country Air Race” (Amelia Earhart); “Friendships and War” (Jackie Cochran and WASPS); and “Women in Space.” Technically, Katharine Wright did not fly, but it’s appropriate to include her because her support enabled her brothers to do so. Serio-comic, half-tone illustrations match the breezy tone of the text. Back matter includes a two and a half page bibliography, six Web sites, a chronology of important years in women’s aviation, a brief description of 13 women by name, and an index. Atkins takes liberties with secondary details, but overall this narrative linear timeline emphasizes the significance of women as they pursued dreams, broke barriers, made headlines, and shaped aviation history proving that women could fly as well as men. (Nonfiction. 10-14)
Pub Date: March 3, 2003
ISBN: 0-374-38450-9
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2003
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More by Jeannine Atkins
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by Jeannine Atkins ; illustrated by Victoria Assanelli
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by Faith D’Aluisio & photographed by Peter Menzel ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2008
Can too much information give readers intellectual indigestion? When is it better to graze through a book rather than consuming it in one sitting? Is it possible to make good-for-you information as delicious as (guilty) pleasure reading? The adapted version of Hungry Planet: What the World Eats (2005) raises all of these questions. Intended to inform middle-schoolers of the wide variety of food traditions as well as discrepancies in access to adequate nutrition, this collection of photos, essays and statistics will require thoughtful concentration. Adapted and abridged text, a larger font size, the addition of small maps and basic facts about each country and the deletion of some photos that might have been judged inappropriate or disturbing help to make the wealth of information accessible to this audience. The plentiful photos are fascinating, offering both intimate glimpses of family life and panoramic views of other lands. Whether used for research or received as a gift from socially conscious adults, this version offers children plenty to chew over—but it’ll take them some time to truly digest. (Nonfiction. 11-14)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-58246-246-2
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Tricycle
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2008
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by Hadley Dyer and illustrated by Marc Ngui ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2010
Dyer believes that kids have an important stake in how public space is used because they do not have their own truly private spaces. She tackles her broad subject by examining various subtopics in a column, page or double-page spread. This allows her to cover a variety of issues including age discrimination, bicycle commuting, sexual harassment and urban design. Examples from different nations are a welcome reminder of the diversity of possible approaches to common human concerns. Some may feel that the author’s efforts to be inclusive combined with the book’s design is a bit scattershot; others will enjoy the magazine-style snippets of information and opinion. The text is direct, conversational and colloquial. Ngui’s illustrations both extend and punctuate the text and range from stylized black-and-white spot art to full-color depictions of specific places and times. While this topic may not be on most tweens’ radar, the kinds of problems addressed, from unfair curfews to unsafe streets, are surely familiar to many, and the book’s straightforward examination may empower them to take positive action. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)
Pub Date: March 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-55453-293-3
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Dec. 31, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2010
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by Hadley Dyer ; illustrated by Paul Covello
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by Hadley Dyer & Mitchell Bernard ; illustrated by Paul Gill
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