Synopses & Reviews
Celebrated author Susan Cheever’s comprehensive and definitive biography sheds new light on the life and work of Louisa May Alcott, whose Little Women and other novels have inspired generations of women.
• An acclaimed author on her best subject: Apart from her bestselling Home Before Dark, a biography of her father, John Cheever, and My Name Is Bill, her penetrating portrait of the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Cheever’s most recent and major success, American Bloomsbury, was a hugely popular nonfiction narrative of the writers and artists (including Emerson, Thoreau, and the Alcott family) of Concord, Mass. With more than 35,000 copies of the book sold since, Cheever has focused on the legendary and much-loved Louisa May Alcott.
• Interest in Louisa May Alcott remains strong: Every year new young readers continue to fall in love with Alcott’s work from Little Women to her feminist papers. Based on extensive research and access to Alcott’s journals and correspondence, Cheever chronicles all aspects of Alcott’s life, beginning with the fateful meeting of her parents to her death, just two days after that of her dynamic and domineering father Bronson. Cheever examines Alcott’s role as a woman, a working writer, and a daughter at a time where Alcott’s rejection of marriage in favor of independence—a decision to be no man’s “little woman”—was seen as defying conventional wisdom.
Review
andlt;bandgt;Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglassandlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;iandgt;Lesa Cline Ransome, illus. by James E. Ransome. Sandamp;S/Wiseman, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-4169-5903-8andlt;/iandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Drawing from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, the Ransomes (Before There Was Mozart) create a powerful biographical account of the anti-slavery crusader, writer, and oratorand#8217;s early life. Writing from Douglassand#8217;s first-person perspective, Lesa Cline Ransome plainly relays the inhuman treatment of plantation slavesand#8212;and#8220;even the animals were rested in the heat of the afternoon sun, and they were never whipped bloody for being too tired or too sick or too slowand#8221;and#8212;and expresses how learning to read was a catalyst for Douglassand#8217;s liberation. and#8220;I bought my first newspaper and learned new wordsand#8212;liberty, justice, and freedom.... These were the words my master would never want me to see.and#8221; Ransomeand#8217;s acrylic and oil paintings combine striking naturalism with a palette of inky greens and blues; after Douglass uses his writing skills to forge a letter from his master releasing him, a final spread shows him looking boldly toward the North Star. Though an authorand#8217;s note explains that Douglass did not successfully escape that night (but did three years later), the story concludes with a sense of hope and determination. Ages 5and#8211;9.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;iandgt;Publishers Weeklyandlt;/iandgt;, November 28, 2011, andlt;bandgt;*STARRED REVIEWandlt;/bandgt;
Review
andlt;bandgt;Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglassandlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; By Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James E. Ransomeandlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; (Paula Wiseman; ISBN 9781416959038; January 2012; Spring catalog p. 2)andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt; The author and illustrator, a husband-and-wife team who collaborated previously on and#8220;Satchel Paige,and#8221; base their biography of young Douglass on his and#8220;Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.and#8221; Using the first person, they describe Douglassand#8217;s arduous early life as the spurned son of his master, forced to live apart from his slave mother. Visceral, intimate and plainly told, this story is sure to move young children, and also motivate them to read more. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;iandgt;New York Times Book Reviewandlt;/iandgt;, February 12, 2012
Review
"This talented team has created a concise, accessible, beautifully illustrated book based on Douglassand#8217;s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Rich acrylic and oil paintings depict plantation life (poorly clothed slave children kneeling before troughs, devouring cornmeal mush like livestock) and the strong emotions of the people (a young Frederick being transported with hands tied behind his back, lest he escape). This handsome volume is recommended for slightly older audiences than William Miller and Cedric Lucasand#8217;s Frederick Douglass: The Last Day of Slavery (Lee andamp; Low, 1995)."--andlt;iandgt;School Library Journalandlt;/iandgt;, January 2012 andlt;bandgt;*STARRED REVIEWandlt;/bandgt;
Review
Frederick Bailey, who would later change his surname to Douglass, relates his early years, from first vague memories of his mother, who walked through the night to visit her sleeping son on a neighboring plantation; through his childhood, with his service leased to the Auld family of Baltimore; to his first attempt to make an escape from Talbot County, Maryland. The narration is dignified and tightly focused on the way learning to read both inspired and enabled young Frederick to plan for a life of freedom in the North. The depiction of the risk involved for a slave to achieve literacy is particularly well handled for a picture-book audience. Tales of cruel punishment for slaves who could read distract Frederick as Mrs. Auld teaches him his letters; he later uses religious services as a cover for passing his skill on to fellow slaves. This chapter in Douglassand#8217; story concludes with his forgery of a pass, written and#8220;in a firm and steady hand,and#8221; which would allow him to and#8220;walk right out of Talbot County and into freedom up north.and#8221; James Ransomeand#8217;s oil and acrylic paintings underscore young Frederickand#8217;s determination and independent spirit, and their interplay with the text leaves readers with the strong impression that, once he had mastered the written word, Frederickand#8217;s labors in town and fields were only going to be unfortunate layovers on his unstoppable journey to freedom. A concluding note explains that the forged-pass plan never came off, and it would be several more years before Douglass escaped to New York. However, even children unacquainted with Douglass the abolitionist will somehow sense that nothing is going to keep young Frederick Bailey in bondage. A brief timeline and list of sources are included. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt; --andlt;iandgt;BCCBandlt;/iandgt;, February 2012
Review
Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass Lesa Cline Ransome, illus. by James E. Ransome. S&S/Wiseman, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-4169-5903-8
Drawing from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, the Ransomes (Before There Was Mozart) create a powerful biographical account of the anti-slavery crusader, writer, and orator’s early life. Writing from Douglass’s first-person perspective, Lesa Cline Ransome plainly relays the inhuman treatment of plantation slaves—“even the animals were rested in the heat of the afternoon sun, and they were never whipped bloody for being too tired or too sick or too slow”—and expresses how learning to read was a catalyst for Douglass’s liberation. “I bought my first newspaper and learned new words—liberty, justice, and freedom.... These were the words my master would never want me to see.” Ransome’s acrylic and oil paintings combine striking naturalism with a palette of inky greens and blues; after Douglass uses his writing skills to forge a letter from his master releasing him, a final spread shows him looking boldly toward the North Star. Though an author’s note explains that Douglass did not successfully escape that night (but did three years later), the story concludes with a sense of hope and determination. Ages 5-9.
--Publishers Weekly, November 28, 2011, *STARRED REVIEW
Review
Frederick Bailey, who would later change his surname to Douglass, relates his early years, from first vague memories of his mother, who walked through the night to visit her sleeping son on a neighboring plantation; through his childhood, with his service leased to the Auld family of Baltimore; to his first attempt to make an escape from Talbot County, Maryland. The narration is dignified and tightly focused on the way learning to read both inspired and enabled young Frederick to plan for a life of freedom in the North. The depiction of the risk involved for a slave to achieve literacy is particularly well handled for a picture-book audience. Tales of cruel punishment for slaves who could read distract Frederick as Mrs. Auld teaches him his letters; he later uses religious services as a cover for passing his skill on to fellow slaves. This chapter in Douglass’ story concludes with his forgery of a pass, written “in a firm and steady hand,” which would allow him to “walk right out of Talbot County and into freedom up north.” James Ransome’s oil and acrylic paintings underscore young Frederick’s determination and independent spirit, and their interplay with the text leaves readers with the strong impression that, once he had mastered the written word, Frederick’s labors in town and fields were only going to be unfortunate layovers on his unstoppable journey to freedom. A concluding note explains that the forged-pass plan never came off, and it would be several more years before Douglass escaped to New York. However, even children unacquainted with Douglass the abolitionist will somehow sense that nothing is going to keep young Frederick Bailey in bondage. A brief timeline and list of sources are included.
--BCCB, February 2012 -- - < -="" i="" -=""> - BCCB - < -="" -=""> - , February 2012
Synopsis
Words Set Me Free is the inspiring story of young Frederick Douglass's path to freedom through reading.
Synopsis
As large numbers of women become steadily wealthier, more powerful, and more independent, Underhill shows how their choices and preferences are changing the landscape we occupy in a variety of surprising ways, from the cars we drive to the food we eat. For businesses of every kind, this is a powerful warning that those who ignore what women want do so at their own peril.
Underhill examines how women’s role as homemaker has evolved into homeowner, and what women look for in a home. How the home gym and home office are linked to the women’s health movement and home-based businesses. Why the refrigerator has trumped the stove as the seminal appliance. How every major hotel chain in the world has redesigned rooms and services for the female business traveler. Why some malls, appealing to women, are succeeding while others fail. Office product superstores like Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max have evolved an integrated web presence that works for women. And dealers take note that more than half the cars on the road in North America are driven by women.
Synopsis
andlt;b andgt;The inspirational, true story of how Frederick Douglass found his way to freedom one word at a time.andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;This picture book biography chronicles the youth of Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent African American figures in American history. Douglass spent his life advocating for the equality of all, and it was through reading that he was able to stand up for himself and others. Award-winning husband-wife team Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome present a moving and captivating look at the young life of the inspirational man who said, and#8220;I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.and#8221;
Synopsis
The inspirational, true story of how Frederick Douglass found his way to freedom one word at a time.This picture book biography chronicles the youth of Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent African American figures in American history. Douglass spent his life advocating for the equality of all, and it was through reading that he was able to stand up for himself and others. Award-winning husband-wife team Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome present a moving and captivating look at the young life of the inspirational man who said, “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”
About the Author
Lesa Cline-Ransome is the author of several books for children including the award-winning andlt;iandgt;Satchel Paigeandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Major Taylor, Champion Cyclistandlt;/iandgt;, both illustrated by her husband, James E. Ransome. A graduate of the Pratt Institute, she holds a Masterandrsquo;s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from NYU. She lives with her family in upstate New York. Visit her at LesaClineRansome.com.James E. Ransomeandrsquo;s highly acclaimed illustrations for andlt;iandgt;Knock, Knock: My Dadandrsquo;s Dream for Meandlt;/iandgt; won the 2014 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. His other award-winning titles include Coretta Scott King Honor Book andlt;iandgt;Uncle Jedandrsquo;s Barbershopandlt;/iandgt; by Margaree King Mitchell; Deborah Hopkinsonandrsquo;s andlt;iandgt;Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quiltandlt;/iandgt;; andlt;iandgt;Let My People Goandlt;/iandgt;, winner of the NAACP Image Award; and andlt;iandgt;Satchel Paige,andlt;/iandgt; written by his wife, Lesa. Mr. Ransome teaches illustration at Pratt Institute and lives in upstate New York with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com.