Bibliography
Freedman, Russell. Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery. New York: Clarion
Books, 1993.
Plot Summary
Freedman explores the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. He begins with her childhood and takes the reader through her awkwardness as a teenager, meeting and marrying F.D.R., becoming a mother and first lady, the trials of her marriage and eventually her death.
Critical Analysis
This biography is organized well and follows the chronological order of Roosevelt’s life. There is a table contents and an index to help the reader find specific information quickly. The information appears to be accurate and well researched. Freedman even lists other books written on the life of Eleanor Roosevelt at the end of the biography. He has many direct quotes from Roosevelt and her family and friends. There are photos of Eleanor that compliment her story throughout the book and several at the end with captions that allow the reader to better visualize her life story. The biography is well designed and stylized for middle schoolers, with a somewhat cartoon characture of Eleanor Roosevelt on the cover. The almost two hundred pages are not stuffed full of text, thus not too overwhelming to younger readers.
Awards Won and Review Excerpts
Newberry Honor Book
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “This is a book to read across the generations.”
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The sensitivity and frankness of this volume, as well as the extensive, supporting black-and-white photographs, mark this as a wide-ranging, honest appraisal of this admirable, courageous woman.”
Connections
This biography could be used to help support the social studies curriculum discussing World War I, the Great Depression, The New Deal and World War II.
This biography could be used in conjunction with other strong, famous women to compare their contributions.
No comments:
Post a Comment