Synopses & Reviews
The founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette (Daisy) Gordon Low, was a quirky, remarkable woman with ideas that were ahead of her time. A sensitive child, she grew up in Savannah, Georgia, where she developed what was to become a lifetime interest in the arts. As a young woman, Daisy suffered from chronic ear infections and lost most of her hearing in one ear. She lost hearing in her other ear after a grain of rice lodged inside it at her wedding, puncturing her eardrum.
Daisy's life spanned an important era in U.S. history, and her story is chock full of curriculum connections, from the Civil War and reconstruction (her mother was a northerner who believed in abolition, her father was a Confederate soldier), to westward expansion and Native American studies, women's studies and early feminism, and later, World War I. She made her own valuable contribution to history by founding the first national organization that brought girls from all backgrounds into the out-of-doors, giving them the opportunity to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. She created controversy by encouraging girls to prepare not only for traditional homemaking, but also for possible future roles as professional womenin the arts, sciences, and businessand for active citizenship outside the home. Girl Scouting also welcomed girls with disabilities at a time when they were excluded from many activities and groups.
Review
and#8220;[A] perceptive, captivating biography of one of the twentieth centuryand#8217;s most influential writers. . . . Teens jaded by too much classroom analysis of
The Old Man and the Sea and Hemingwayand#8217;s short stories will come away from Reefand#8217;s thorough, skillfully constructed biography with fresh interest in and appreciation for this American legend.and#8221;and#8212;
Booklist, STARRED review
and#8220;Reef creates a memorable portrait of the writer and his times, and even readers too young for most of Hemingwayand#8217;s oeuvre will enjoy armchair traveling to the bullfights in Spain. . . . Along the way, they will gain a sense of the writer and his times and will even pick up some writing tips, including Hemingwayand#8217;s insistence on simple, declarative sentences. The volume is attractively designed with well-chosen photographs, captions that add personality to the text, solid documentation and judicious use of quotations.and#8221;and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
and#8220;This engaging and detailed biography will be valued for its accessible style and honest portrayal of one of America's icons. Reef's account of Hemingway's life is riveting and unglamorized.and#8221;and#8212;School Library Journal and#8220;An accessible and entertaining look at an American icon.and#8221;and#8212;The Bulletin of the Center for Childrenand#8217;s Books
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Review
"Wadsworth captures Lowand#8217;s stubborn but charismatic spirit by blending facts and humorous sketches in this winning biography of a woman whose visions and ideas have helped shape the lives of girls around the world." --Horn Book
"Unvarnished prose, plentiful images and vivid anecdotes set in historical perspective make this chronological account lively and accessible for middle-grade readers." --Kirkus Reviews
"The attractive book design features chapter headings that look like Girl Scout badges, and most spreads include period photos or reproductions of primary-source documents. Exemplary nonfiction." --School Library Journal
"In time for the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) comes this engaging biography about the woman who founded the organization." --Booklist "2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA, and a fresh, comprehensive biography of founder Juliette Gordon Low is most welcome." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Synopsis
An introduction to the life and work of one of the most significant and notorious American writers of the 20th century.
Ernest Hemingway's literary status alone makes him worthy of a biography. In addition, his life reads like a suspense storyand#151;it's full of action, romance, heartbreak, machismo, mishaps, celebrity, and tragedy. He had first-hand experience of several historic events of the last century, and he rubbed elbows with many other notable writers and intellectual greats of our time. Though his reputation has weathered ups and downs, his status as an American icon remains untouchable. Here, in the only biography available to young people, Catherine Reef introduces readers to Hemingway's work, with a focus on his themes and writing styles and his place in the history of American fiction, and examines writers who influenced him and those he later influenced.
Synopsis
In the only biography of Ernest Hemingway available to young people, Reef introduces readers to Hemingway's work, with a focus on his themes and writing styles and his place in the history of American fiction, and examines writers who influenced him and those he later influenced.
Synopsis
Thisand#160;lavishly illustrated account of the fascinating life of the woman who started it all.Juliette (Daisy) Gordon Low was a remarkable woman with ideas that were ahead of her time. She witnessed important eras in U.S. history, from the Civil War and Reconstruction to westward expansion to postandndash;World War I. And she made history by founding the first national organization to bring girls from all backgrounds into the out-of-doors. Daisy created controversy by encouraging them to prepare not only for traditional homemaking but also for roles as professional womenandmdash;in the arts, sciences, and businessandmdash;and for active citizenship outside the home. Her group also welcomed girls with disabilities at a time when they were usually excluded. Includes authorandrsquo;s note, source notes, bibliography, timeline, places to visit, the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and musical notation for the favorite scout song andldquo;Make New Friends.andrdquo;
About the Author
Catherine Reef is the author of more than 35 nonfiction books for young people. Her books for Clarion include the highly acclaimedandnbsp;John Steinbeckandnbsp;andandnbsp;Sigmundandnbsp;Freudandnbsp;which was the recipient of the 2002 Sydney Taylor Award, presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries. She lives in College Park, Maryland.