Review: 50 Fearless Women Who Made American History by Jenifer Bazzit

50 Fearless Women Who Made American History: An American History Book for Kids
by Jenifer Bazzit

Available as: paperback, Kindle edition
Pages: 172
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Publication date: January 7, 2020
Suggested tags: middle grade, nonfiction, biography, history



From Amazon (since the publisher's website directs you to Amazon for their products):

"50 women who shaped American history―how will they inspire you?

Women have always been at the forefront of American history―and now it’s time to hear their stories! This look into American history for kids is bursting with engaging biographies that explore the lives of these inspiring women from different backgrounds and a wide array of fields.

From Revolutionary War soldier Deborah Sampson and abolitionist Harriet Tubman to Hawaiian Queen Lili‘uokalani and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, this guide to American history for kids takes you on a fun and fascinating journey, one fearless woman at a time. Each of these chronologically ordered biographies offers an exciting look into the life and accomplishments of these heroic figures and how they made history.

Unearth American history for kids with:

• Incredible stories, incredible women―With multi-page biographies that focus on the accomplishments of heroic women, this is what a book on American history for kids should be.
• Historical timeline―Better understand how each of these women fit into history thanks to timelines that show what else was happening during their lifetimes.
• Dive deeper―Entries also feature a helpful sidebar that further explores a specific part of the biography, launching you into more learning about American history for kids.

Discover the amazing women who helped shape America with this enjoyable journey into American history for kids."

I'll be honest: I don't usually read biographies because usually I find them... um... boring. I'm sorry! I know!! That's terrible! But I just do not naturally find myself drawn to the Biography section. Maybe because the biographies I've read in the past have been a bit too dry and wordy for my tastes.

Not so with 50 Fearless Women Who Made American History! These bios are short - mostly 3 pages or less - which means the history and events that are included are just the most essential and exciting parts of these amazing women's stories. An illustration of each woman (in the style of the book's cover image) starts off each bio, along with their name, the years they were born and died, and a few words about the work they did, such as "first lady and activist," or "abolitionist and author." A variety of women from different cultures and backgrounds are included. Most of the women included are ones that I have heard of before, but there were some new names and faces that I was not yet familiar with. There is a timeline running throughout the bottom third of the book, so you can see what other historical events are taking place during the times when these women were doing incredible things.

I was really pleasantly surprised by this book, and it actually makes me want to seek out more biographies in a similar style - shorter snippets about each person, focusing just on the most important things they did and achieved. I can see this book working well in schools or libraries as a starting point to find a woman that students would like to learn more about as the subject for projects or reports. I can also see it as a sort of "5-minute stories" type book, for bedtime or anytime, for kids to learn about some incredible women and be inspired to live their own lives to the fullest and to make the world a better place.


Final verdict: I loved it! I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others.

{ Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a review copy.
My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; 

your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }

Review: Death by Petticoat

Death by Petticoat: American History Myths Debunked
by Mary Miley Theobald

Available as: paperback
Pages: 144
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Release date: June 5, 2012
Suggested tags: non-fiction, history



From Goodreads:

"Every day stories from American history that are not true are repeated in museums and classrooms across the country. Some are outright fabrications; others contain a kernel of truth that has been embellished over the years. Collaborating with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Mary Miley Theobald has uncovered the truth behind many widely repeated myth-understandings in our history in Death by Petticoat including:

* Hat makers really were driven mad. They were poisoned by the mercury used in making hats from furs. Their symptoms included hallucinations, tremors, and twitching, which looked like insanity to people of the 17th and 18th centuries--and the phrase "mad as a hatter" came about.

* The idea that portrait painters gave discounts if their subjects posed with one hand inside the vest (so they didn't have to paint fingers and leading to the saying that something "costs an arm and a leg") is strictly myth. It isn't likely that Napoleon, King George III, or George Washington were concerned about getting a discount from their portrait painters.

Pregnant women secluded themselves indoors, uneven stairs were made to trip up burglars, people bathed once a year, women had tiny waists, apprenticeships lasted seven years--Death by Petticoat reveals the truth about these hysterical historical myth-understandings."

I received this as an ebook from NetGalley.

Death by Petticoat is a collection of fun, brief explanations of historical myths. Each myth is covered in a few paragraphs, making for a sufficient explanation, but I wouldn't have minded a little more depth. Some of the explanations ended a little abruptly, leaving me wishing there was more to it. But the short style makes it perfect for picking up here and there whenever you have a moment: before bed, in a waiting room, over breakfast, etc.

I would recommend this book to history lovers, especially those looking for an interesting, quick read. Serious history buffs may already be familiar with the truths behind the myths, but for the average person with an interest in history, this would probably expand upon their knowledge of the common myths and introduce them to some new ones too. (It did for me!) The ebook version that I read didn't include the photos that the text mentions, but I'm looking forward to picking up a paperback copy when it's released to see how the photos complement the myths.


Overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars

In My Mailbox: March 25, 2012

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren as a way to highlight the books you receive every week (or so). A full explanation and rules can be found here.




From NetGalley:


Death by Petticoat: American History Myths Debunked
by Mary Miley Theobald

Available as: paperback
Pages: 144
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Release date: June 5, 2012
Suggested tags: non-fiction, history



I have such a weakness for books about American history. The quirky little facts in the description had me clicking "request" on NetGalley before I could think twice!

From Goodreads:

"Every day stories from American history that are not true are repeated in museums and classrooms across the country. Some are outright fabrications; others contain a kernel of truth that has been embellished over the years. Collaborating with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Mary Miley Theobald has uncovered the truth behind many widely repeated myth-understandings in our history in Death by Petticoat including:

* Hat makers really were driven mad. They were poisoned by the mercury used in making hats from furs. Their symptoms included hallucinations, tremors, and twitching, which looked like insanity to people of the 17th and 18th centuries--and the phrase "mad as a hatter" came about.

* The idea that portrait painters gave discounts if their subjects posed with one hand inside the vest (so they didn't have to paint fingers and leading to the saying that something "costs an arm and a leg") is strictly myth. It isn't likely that Napoleon, King George III, or George Washington were concerned about getting a discount from their portrait painters.

Pregnant women secluded themselves indoors, uneven stairs were made to trip up burglars, people bathed once a year, women had tiny waists, apprenticeships lasted seven years--Death by Petticoat reveals the truth about these hysterical historical myth-understandings."

Radiate
by Marley Gibson

Available as: paperback, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 395
Publisher: Graphia
Release date: April 3, 2012
Suggested tags: young adult, realistic fiction



I read a lot of books by Lurlene McDaniel when I was younger, and from the description Radiate seems to have a similar feeling. I'm really looking forward to reading this one.

From Goodreads:

"Hayley Matthews is determined to be the best cheerleader she can. She works hard and pushes herself 110% all the time. Then Hayley finds a lump on her leg. The diagnosis is cancer. The prognosis is unclear. She could lose her leg. Or maybe her life. At first Haley is scared, terrified. In an instant, everything she’s worked for seems out of reach. But Haley is strong. She’s going to fight this disease. She will not let it take her life or her dreams."

From the bookstore:


The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story
by Mary Downing Hahn

Available as: hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 144
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date: April 20, 1989
Suggested tags: middle grade, paranormal, ghosts



I mentioned in another post that this was my favorite book in my younger days and that I needed to find a copy for myself. Guess what - I found it! (And for only $5!) This totally made my week! :)

From Goodreads:

"When Ashley discovers a turn-of-the-century doll it is just the first of several puzzling events that lead her through the hedge and into a twilight past where she meets Louise, an ailing child whose beloved doll has mysteriously disappeared."

Review: Ten Tea Parties: Patriotic Protests That History Forgot

Ten Tea Parties: Patriotic Protests That History Forgot
by Joseph Cummins

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Boston Tea Party is a well known piece of American history, but it's usually talked about as a singular event: the one tea party that happened that one time. But less well known is the fact that there were actually many tea parties happening around the country during that time, all with their own unique and interesting stories. Joseph Cummins' book Ten Tea Parties brings the stories of these forgotten tea parties to light in an informative and greatly enjoyable read.

This book is in the "history" category, but it definitely doesn't read like a history book. Cummins weaves quotes and information from primary sources into his narrative, but he does it with the wonderfully conversational tone of a master storyteller. This is no dry restating of facts; Cummins makes history come alive by highlighting interesting, little known details about each tea party and their key players.

Ten Tea Parties is visually pleasing too - black-and-white woodcuts and portraits are included throughout the book. A significant quote starts off each chapter, setting the tone of the tea party at hand. The text includes transcripts of documents of the day; reading the impassioned words of the patriots along with Cummins' expert storytelling connects readers with the time period better than any history textbook ever could, in my humble opinion.

This is a great read, especially for those with an interest in Revolutionary era American history. The author's passion for the subject is clear, and contagious too; I dare you to read this book and be able to resist sharing the fascinating tidbits you learn from it!

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars