Little Lotta’s big life is a globe-trotting adventure of a woman ahead of her time, reminding contemporary readers that, “if...
Harris introduces 19th-century performer Lotta Crabtree in her newest biography.
Born in 1847 to English immigrants, Lotta Crabtree became a darling of the stage in the latter half of the 19th century. Lotta got her start as a child performing as a so-called “Fairy Star” in California Gold Rush mining communities but came to be known across the United States and in England as well. Lotta established her own style, with a willingness to bend rules and break tradition, her playful physicality on stage also earning her the distinction of first female comic performer. In addition to the narrative biography, informative sidebars provide a more in-depth look at technology, events, and cultural issues of Lotta’s life and times, including the invention of the telegraph, completion of the transcontinental railroad, and the rise and fall of minstrel shows. The sheer number of Lotta’s major life events that the author includes in such a brief space leads to occasional disruptions in the narrative flow. Nevertheless, this easy-to-read biography is sure to appeal to fans of 19th-century American history as well as those seeking narratives of strong and trailblazing women.
Little Lotta’s big life is a globe-trotting adventure of a woman ahead of her time, reminding contemporary readers that, “if a girl is going to truly succeed in the world she must do so as her own self.” (timeline, source notes, glossary, bibliography, index) (Biography. 10-14)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4556-2230-6
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Pelican
Review Posted Online: July 1, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
Hot on the heels of the well-received Leonardo da Vinci (2005) comes another agreeably chatty entry in the Giants of Science series. Here the pioneering physicist is revealed as undeniably brilliant, but also cantankerous, mean-spirited, paranoid and possibly depressive. Newton’s youth and annus mirabilis receive respectful treatment, the solitude enforced by family estrangement and then the plague seen as critical to the development of his thoughtful, methodical approach. His subsequent squabbles with the rest of the scientific community—he refrained from publishing one treatise until his rival was dead—further support the image of Newton as a scientific lone wolf. Krull’s colloquial treatment sketches Newton’s advances in clearly understandable terms without bogging the text down with detailed explanations. A final chapter on “His Impact” places him squarely in the pantheon of great thinkers, arguing that both his insistence on the scientific method and his theories of physics have informed all subsequent scientific thought. A bibliography, web site and index round out the volume; the lack of detail on the use of sources is regrettable in an otherwise solid offering for middle-grade students. (Biography. 10-14)
Pub Date: April 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-670-05921-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2006
Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things.
A 1989 summer trip to Europe changes Caldecott Medal winner Santat’s life in this graphic memoir.
Young Dan hasn’t experienced much beyond the small Southern California town he grew up in. He stays out of trouble, helps his parents, and tries to go unnoticed in middle school. That plan gets thwarted when he is made to recite poetry at a school assembly and is humiliated by his peers. When eighth grade is over and his parents send him on a three-week study abroad program, Dan isn’t excited at first. He’s traveling with girls from school whom he has awkward relationships with, his camera breaks, and he feels completely out of place. But with the help of some new friends, a crush, and an encouraging teacher, Dan begins to appreciate and enjoy the journey. Through experiences like his first taste of Fanta, first time hearing French rap, and first time getting lost on his own in a foreign country in the middle of the night, he finally begins to feel comfortable just being himself and embracing the unexpected. This entertaining graphic memoir is a relatable story of self-discovery. Flashbacks to awkward memories are presented in tones of blue that contrast with the full-color artwork through which Santat creates the perfect balance of humor and poignancy. The author’s note and photos offer readers more fun glimpses into his pivotal adventure.
Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things. (Graphic memoir. 10-14)Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-85104-8
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
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