Kathleen KrullAnmeldelser

I read the first few pages. The writing is delightfully cheeky at times ("he became the king of the snappy soundbite, always bemused, sort of cuddly, with soulful eyes") and very readable. The author's tone is conversational. Occasional illustrations don't add much, but don't hurt either.

134 pages, with a list of sources and a pretty robust index (there's an entry for the Large Hadron Collider!).

The other books in this series (Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Isaac Newton, and Freud) have been well-reviewed and I can see why.

Vibrant art, and an inspiring woman of Wilma's journey to overcome polio to become the first woman to win 3 gold medals in a single Olympics.

Outstandingly accurate account of Cesar Chavez's life. Yuyi Morales does it again with illustrations so warm and full of emotion that tell half of the story along with Krull's words. This story hits close to home for many of my students and I feel good about reading it to them because of its accuracy.

As a woman and someone who prides herself on knowing American history, I am ashamed to admit that I had no idea who Frances Perkins was. But to discover that she was the first female cabinet member (under FDR and labor department) and the woman responsible for the Civilian Conversation Corps and social security (public policies that frankly, I feel always get attributed to a man--FDR)..I was stunned. This woman was sweet, kind, and compassionate. She never sought to domineer a man. She just wanted to make a difference wherever she could in. In her words:

"The door might not be opened to a woman again for a long, long, time. And I had a kind of duty to walk in and sit down in the chair that was offered."

THIS is true feminism. People associate it with radicalism. But it was far from that. Instead we have a woman who was terrified of speaking in public yet when it mattered most, to people she cared about and those underrepresented....she did it. What a role model!

When Cesar Chavez led a 340-mile peaceful protest march through California, he ignited a cause and improved the lives of thousands of migrant farmworkers. But Cesar wasn't always a leader. As a boy, he was shy and teased at school. His family slaved in the fields for barely enough money to survive. Cesar knew things had to change, and he thought that—maybe—he could help change them. So he took charge. He spoke up. And an entire country listened.

Reading Level: 8-13
Awards: Pura Belpré Award

Autographed Copy

Travel along during a trip of Women's empowerment as Sacajawea leads Lewis and Clark through new lands.½

This book is recommended for intermediate students. This book depicts the life of Stephen Hawking and his findings. In my future classroom, this book could be used for talking about space or how math can potentially be used in the real world.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought long and hard every step of her journey to become only the second woman to be named to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Girls in orthodox Jewish families like Ruth Bader’s were expected to marry young and support their husbands’ careers. Her mother had followed that path, but she wanted Ruth to have the opportunities she missed. Ruth was determined to be all that her mother had dreamed for her. Krull follows Ruth as she finds a way to succeed in a world in which girls were supposed to hide their intelligence and had limited opportunities for careers. She was passionate about learning and “scary smart,” and she was impressed by those who stood up for themselves and for fair treatment of all people. She faced and overcame discrimination on account of her faith and her gender. Large, colorful illustrations complement and highlight the text. Zhang captures the look and style of each era in Ginsburg’s life, subtly altering her appearance as she grows older. Naming Ginsburg a “change-maker,” Krull optimistically states that women “used to face unfairness” and that society now takes equality for granted. Employing a strongly admiring tone and accessible language, the author emphasizes Ginsburg’s struggles, strengths, and triumphs, shouting key points in large, bold, stand-apart typeface.

Ginsburg is on the highest court but not on a pedestal in this informative, well-told biography. (timeline, court system outline, case list) (Picture book/biography. 8-12)

-Kirkus Review

“When someone opens a door to you, go forward.”

From shy child to keen observer, vocal activist to highly effective political adviser, Frances Perkins led a life of tremendous worth, helping others as a volunteer, social worker, expert investigator, workplace-safety regulator, industrial commissioner, and, ultimately, the first woman Secretary of Labor. Brimming with realistic detail about the difficulties of pursuing one’s goals and making a difference while functioning as a woman in the first half of the 20th century, this appealing volume features colorful and appealing animation-inflected illustrations peppered with ideas that inspired Perkins; these appear as banners, headlines, and signposts throughout the story. Krull smoothly describes Perkins’ influences and motivations, her sensitivity to and awareness of injustice, how she overcame some of the fears and constraints she faced, her development as an advocate, and her many accomplishments—including her major contributions to (some say authorship of) FDR’s New Deal and the adoption of the Social Security Act—in a kid-friendly and accessible manner, focusing almost entirely on Perkins’ professional accomplishments. As for Perkins’ personal life, the afterword briefly refers to her husband and daughter within the context of their “significant health problems” (both experienced mental illness), but the text is silent on Perkins’ same-sex relationship following her husband’s institutionalization.

Overall, an appealing, informative picture-book biography that showcases the accomplishments of a great American heroine. (Picture book/biography. 6-10)

-Kirkus Review

Recommended Ages: Gr.

Plot Summary: Frances Perkins was shy as a child but many inspirational women taught her to stand up for what is important, to be observant, and to help others. She became a social worker and was appointed by FDR to help the country during the Great Depression. She was key to helping change the way people understood poverty -- it isn't someone's fault if they are poor.

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Recurring Themes: poverty, helping others, speaking up

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Personal Thoughts: I read this while sitting at the table with my family and I kept reading interesting tidbits aloud. I am blown away by Frances Perkins and this book. I thought the writing was clear without being insulting and the illustrations were beautiful.

Genre: picture book biography

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Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-6
Awards: Pura Bulpré Award (2004)

The picture book and children friendly story on civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, who fought for the civil rights of farm working immigrants.

"Tells the true story of a brave woman called peace pilgrim"

Bio

Such a fascinating and inspiring story.

Harvesting Hope is a biography of Cesar Chavez. The book begins by discussing Cesar’s early childhood in Arizona where he was surrounded by family on their 80 acre farm. His family was eventually forced to sell the farm due to a drought that made farming the land impossible. It was at this time that Cesar and his family were forced to become migrant workers. The book discusses the deplorable conditions for migrant workers and goes on to tell how Cesar eventually makes it his mission to fight for better working conditions. This is a story of courage to stand up for what is right. The book does mention that Cesar can be seen as controversial in the author's notes. The work of Philip Vera Cruz who helped lead the grape strike is not mentioned, nor is his opposition to undocumented workers. It is a children’s book and simply highlights the positives of the work he did. Yuri Morales was awarded the Pura Belpre Honor for her warm and colorful illustrations.

For twenty-eight years she walked and talked of peace all over the 50 states of the US and even into Canada and Mexico. She had lived through the 1918 influenza, World Wars 1 and 2. At 44 she gave up everything she had, including her name and walked tirelessly to spread the need to cease all wars and became a peace activist and spiritual teacher until her death in an auto accident at age 72. Amazing!
Illustrator Annie Bowler fills the pages with simple artistry which adds to the impact of this woman's biography. All libraries need this book so we can all remember her and her message.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Flyaway Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Goodreads Review:
Cesar Chavez is known as one of America's greatest civil rights leaders. When he led a 340-mile peaceful protest march through California, he ignited a cause and improved the lives of thousands of migrant farmworkers. But Cesar wasn't always a leader. As a boy, he was shy and teased at school. His family slaved in the fields for barely enough money to survive.

Cesar knew things had to change, and he thought that--maybe--he could help change them. So he took charge. He spoke up. And an entire country listened.

An author's note provides historical context for the story of Cesar Chavez's life.