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
"[Franklin Delano Roosevelt's] most important political asset."andlt;BRandgt; -- Jim Farley, chairman of the New York State Democratic Party
Review
"Candace Fleming's portrait bursts at the seams with energy, and makes brilliantly clear why Eleanor Roosevelt is a perfect role model for American kids, and for kids around the world. Mrs. Roosevelt wasn't the head of her time, she's the head of our time."andlt;BRandgt; -- James Carville
Review
"The best-dressed woman of 1934."andlt;BRandgt; --U.S. fashion industry
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"The only one who comprehends the true meaning of democracy."andlt;BRandgt; -- Marian Anderson, legendary black opera singer
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"Candace Fleming has chronicled the life of Eleanor Roosevelt as no other. With photographs on every page and with special attention having been given each important person, place, and project, this book provides an exciting glimpse into a remarkable life. It will appeal to young and old alike."andlt;BRandgt; -- Chandler Roosevelt Lindsley and Elliott Roosevelt Jr., grandchildren of Eleanor Roosevelt
Review
"Creating a unique form for biography -- the collage -- the author has given us a superbly rounded and penetrating portrait of one of our greatest women, Eleanor Roosevelt. No one can read it and not feel deeply grateful for her long service to the American people and to human rights the world round."andlt;BRandgt; -- Milton Meltzer, five-time National Book Award finalist and author of andlt;Iandgt;There Comes a Time: The Struggle for Civil Rightsandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
"In andlt;Iandgt;Our Eleanorandlt;/Iandgt; Candace Fleming sets a new standard for the blending of an astonishing number of apt illustrations with fine writing and a strong sense of the ever-fascinating Eleanor Roosevelt."andlt;BRandgt; -- Marc Aronson, author of the Sibert Award-winning andlt;Iandgt;Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Doradoandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
"Many children's book writers have written biographies of Eleanor Roosevelt, but I don't know of any that illuminated so many different facets of this remarkable woman's life and activities."andlt;BRandgt; -- James Cross Giblin, winner of the Robert F. Sibert Award and author of andlt;Iandgt;The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklinandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
"A woman who does not know her place."andlt;BRandgt; -- Winston Churchill
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"This book belongs in every school library and on the shelf of everyone who cares how America came to be the country we know. With thorough research and vivid storytelling, Candace Fleming brings to life a fascinating and complex woman. Through one engrossing tale after another, perfectly illustrated with historical photographs, Eleanor emerges from these beautiful pages; by midway, you half expect her to wander into your kitchen for tea at any moment."andlt;BRandgt; -- Karen Blumenthal, author of andlt;Iandgt;Let Me Playandlt;/Iandgt;
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
No matter how the question is answered, one thing is clear: There has hardly been a life in the last century that Eleanor Roosevelt has not affected, in one way or another. From securing safe, low-cost housing for Kentucky's poor, to helping her grandchildren hang a tire swing on the White House's south lawn, to representing America as the first female delegate to the United Nations, Eleanor rarely kept a second of her life for herself -- and she wouldn't have had it any other way. andlt;BRandgt; In this stunning "scrapbook" biography, Candace Fleming, author of the acclaimed andlt;Iandgt;Ben Franklin's Almanac,andlt;/Iandgt; turns her keen eye to our nation's premier First Lady. Filled with photographs of everything from Eleanor's speech at the 1940 Democratic National Convention to her high school report card, as well as fascinating stories about life in and out of the White House, andlt;Iandgt;Our Eleanorandlt;/Iandgt; gives us a remarkable perspective on a remarkable woman, and presents to a new generation an Eleanor to call its own.
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
Candace Fleming is the acclaimed author of numerous books for children, including andlt;iandgt;Ben Franklinand#8217;s Almanac,andlt;/iandgt; an ALA Notable Book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; as well as andlt;iandgt;Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!andlt;/iandgt;;andlt;iandgt; Gabriellaand#8217;s Songandlt;/iandgt;; and andlt;iandgt;When Agnes Cawsandlt;/iandgt;; all ALA Notable Books. She lives in a suburb of Chicago.