Synopses & Reviews
In the early 1940s, young women enlisted for peacetime duty as U.S. Army nurses. But when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 blasted the United States into World War II, 101 American Army and Navy nurses serving in the Philippines were suddenly treating wounded and dying soldiers while bombs exploded all around them. The women served in jerry-rigged jungle hospitals on the Bataan Peninsula and in underground tunnels on Corregidor Island. Later, when most of them were captured by the Japanese as prisoners of war, they suffered disease and near-starvation for three years.
Pure Grit is a story of sisterhood and suffering, of tragedy and betrayal, of death and life. The women cared for one another, maintained discipline, and honored their vocation to nurse anyone in needandmdash;all 101 coming home alive.
The book is illustrated with archival photographs and includes an index, glossary, and timeline.
Praise for Pure Grit
STARRED REVIEW
andquot;Details of many nursesandrsquo; individual trials combine to form a memorable portrayal of their shared experience, one which will emotionally impact readers.andquot;
--Booklist, starred review
andquot;Primary source materials, especially the movingly matter-of-fact recollections of several of the nurses and personal snapshots, bring the story to life.andquot;
--Kirkus Reviews
andquot;Farrell doesnandrsquo;t spare her young readers any grim details . . . She includes the challenges these women faced and the joy they felt on returning home. As awful as history can be, now might be the right time to introduce the next generation to this important period.andquot;
--The Washington Post
andquot;In addition to photographs and helpful maps, the page layouts include facsimiles of the nursesandrsquo; letters and diaries. Young readers who enjoyed Tanya Lee Stoneandrsquo;s Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream will also appreciate this story of courageous women whose story was nearly forgotten.andquot;
--School Library Journal
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Review
"Romance and heartache and doom, oh my! This beautifully written and researched accountand#160;. . . and#160;reads like a novel, with rich and evocative language." and#8212;
The New York Times Book Review"For readers discovering the wonder of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, this collective biography of the Brontand#235; family fills in fascinating detail of their personal and public lives . . .and#160;[a] stirring biography."
and#8212;Booklist, starred reviewand#160;
"Gracefully plotted, carefully researched . . . A solid and captivating look at these remarkable pioneers of modern fiction."
and#8212;Kirkus, starred review
"A detail-rich look at the lives of theand#160;Brontand#235; sisters, whose work shocked, entertained, and provoked the mindsand#160;of their Victorian audiences.and#160;. . . . A comprehensive introduction to the authors behind some of the most-studied novels in English literature."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
"For anyone who has ever loved the romantic yet melancholy Heathcliff or the determined Jane Eyre, this book belongs on your shelf."
and#8212;The Huffington Post
"This biography for middle-schoolers introduces a fascinating, close-knit family with lively imaginations who liked nothing better than to run free on the moors that surrounded their home and make up stories and poems about imaginary kingdoms."
and#8212;Bulletinand#160;of the Center for Children's Books
"If you're in search of a readable, yet detailed, biography of the Bronte sisters, then look no further than Reef's account, an ideal supplement to any student's reading of the Bronte classics."
and#8212;EW.com
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Review
-NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2012
"A well written, admiring and thought-provoking portrait."--Kirkus
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"Montgomery's book not only tells the powerful story of one amazing woman's life journey, but also has potential to help readers understand autistic people and animals."--Horn Book
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"It isn't easy to describe how the mind of someone with autism works, but Montgomery's biography effectively breaks the disorder down for a younger audience while introducing the extraordinary life of activist Temple Grandin."--Booklist
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"Lively, well-worded narrative...For librarians who struggle to find well-written biographies of women, this is a must-buy."--School Library Journal, starred review
Review
andquot;Itand#39;s a grand tale, set handsomely here amid sheaves of maps, short journal passages and contemporary photos. A high spot in aviation history, particularly noteworthy for the rugged perseverance of those who achieved it.andquot;
Review
andquot;A solid choice for young aviation history buffs.andquot;
Review
andquot;Offering a look at a lesser-known historical event, this beautiful, well-written book is an essential addition for all collections.andquot;
Review
STARRED REVIEW
andquot;...a nonstop true action/adventure tale replete with crashes into mountains, mechanical failures over oceans, strandings and rescues, heartening incidents of international support and cooperation, and nerve-wracking moments of uncertainty fed by political conflict.andquot;
Review
andquot;The plethora of historical photos, maps, primary documents, and accounts from the flight crew about their experiences, laid out on eye-catching pages, help enliven the story of this incredible feat...kids interested in all things aviation related will likely be enthralled.andquot;
Review
* andquot;A tremendous narrative-nonfiction debut...Start your engines and get ready to take off for an amazing read.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus, starred review
andquot;Packed with period photographs, artistsand#39; renderings, and advertising ephemera that highlight the progression of prototypes, Glassand#39; story of an idiosyncratic corner for the history of flight has ample eye-catching visual appeal.andquot;
andmdash;Booklist
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Synopsis
From the acclaimed author of
The Great and Only Barnum—as well as
The Lincolns, Our Eleanor, and
Ben Franklin's Almanac—comes the thrilling story of America's most celebrated flyer, Amelia Earhart.
In alternating chapters, Fleming deftly moves readers back and forth between Amelia's life (from childhood up until her last flight) and the exhaustive search for her and her missing plane. With incredible photos, maps, and handwritten notes from Amelia herself—plus informative sidebars tackling everything from the history of flight to what Amelia liked to eat while flying (tomato soup)—this unique nonfiction title is tailor-made for middle graders.
Amelia Lost received four starred reviews and Best Book of the Year accolades from School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book Magazine, the Washington Post, and the New York Times.
Synopsis
After exploring the world of Jane Austen, Catherine Reef now turns her attention to the tragically short but utterlyand#160;fascinatingand#160;lives of the Brontand#235; sisters--Charlotte (author of Jane Eyre),and#160;Emily (Wuthering Heights), and Anne (Agnes Grey).and#160;Aand#160;biography asand#160;gothic and fun to read as any of the Brontand#235; novels.and#160;Includes bibliography, notes,and#160;and index. and#160;
Synopsis
The Brontand#235; sisters are among the most beloved writers of all time, best known for their classic nineteenth-century novels Jane Eyre (Charlotte), Wuthering Heights (Emily), and Agnes Grey (Anne). In this sometimes heartbreaking young adult biography, Catherine Reef explores the turbulent lives of these literary siblings and the oppressive times in which they lived. Brontand#235; fans will also revel in the insights into their favorite novels, the plethora of poetry, and the outstanding collection of more than sixty black-and-white archival images. A powerful testimony to the life of the mind. (Endnotes, bibliography, index.)
Synopsis
An authorized biography about Temple Grandin's life with autism and her groundbreaking work as a scientist, and designer of cruelty-free livestock facilities, by Sibert Medal-winning author Sy Montgomery. Includes photographs, many from Temple's personal collection.
Synopsis
When Temple Grandin was born, her parents knew that she was different. Years later she was diagnosed with autism.
While Templeand#8217;s doctor recommended a hospital, her mother believed in her. Temple went to school instead.
Today, Dr. Temple Grandin is a scientist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Her world-changing career revolutionized the livestock industry. As an advocate for autism, Temple uses her experience as an example of the unique contributions that autistic people can make.
This compelling biography complete with Templeand#8217;s personal photos takes us inside her extraordinary mind and opens the door to a broader understanding of autism.
Synopsis
In 1924 the U.S. Army sent eight young men on a bold attempt to be the first to circumnavigate the globe by flight. Men from five other countriesandmdash;Great Britain, France, Portugal, Italy, and Argentinaandmdash;had the same goal. The race was on!
First Flight Around the World documents the exciting journey of four American planesandmdash;the Chicago, Boston, New Orleans, and Seattleandmdash;and their crews on a race around the world. The trip held many challenges: extreme weather, tricky navigation, unfamiliar cultures, fragile planes, and few airfields. The
world fliers risked their lives for the sake of national pride.
Based in part on the journal of one of the crew members, First Lieutenant Leslie Arnold, along with commentary, newspaper reports, and archival images, First Flight Around the World is a captivating tale about American ingenuity, gumption, and perseverance.
Synopsis
An extremely entertaining and meaningful biography about Americaand#39;s first animal rights activist and founder of the ASPCA: Henry Bergh.
Synopsis
Flying cars are real! This book, the only one on the subject for young readers, combines history, biography, technology, and humor in a breezy survey of hybrid vehicles and the dream of flight that kept inventors at work despite many failures and the dictates of common sense.
Synopsis
Humans have always wanted to fly. As soon as there were planes and cars, many people saw a combination as the next step for personal transportation, and visionary engineers and inventors did their best to make the flying car (or the roadable plane) a reality. This book is a breezy account of hybridand#160;vehicles and their creators, and of the intense drive that kept bringing inventors back to the drawing board despite repeated failures and the dictates of common sense. Illustrated with archival photos, this entertaining survey takes readers back as far as Icarus and forward into the present day, with a look toward the future. Includes author's note, source notes, bibliography, index.and#160;
About the Author
Sy Montgomery is an author,andnbsp;naturalist, newspaper columnist,andnbsp;scriptwriter, and radio commentator who writes award-winning books for children as well as adults. She lives in Hancock, New Hampshire.andnbsp;Visit her website at symontgomery.com. andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; Syandnbsp;Montgomery and photographer Nic Bishop won theandnbsp;Sibert Medal in 2011andnbsp;for their collaborative work on Kakapo Rescue:andnbsp;Saving the World's Strangest Parrot,andnbsp;another Scientist in the Field title.andnbsp;andnbsp;TEMPLE GRANDINandnbsp;is one of the worldand#8217;s most accomplished and well-known adults with autism. She is a professor at Colorado State University and the author of several best-selling books, which have sold more than a million copies. The HBO movie based on her life, starring Claire Danes, received seven Emmy Awards.