Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World [Hardcover]

Cynthia Chin-Lee (Author), Megan Halsey (Illustrator), Sean Addy (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7–An introduction to 26 diverse, 20th-century women who have made a difference in such varied fields as the arts, sports, journalism, science, and entertainment. The entries include Dolores Huerta, Frida Kahlo, Lena Horne, Maya Lin, and Patricia Schroeder. Determination, imagination, perseverance, and strength are what bind them together. Entries are arranged alphabetically by first name; each woman is featured on a full page that includes a two-paragraph introduction, a quote, and striking mixed-media art that illustrates the essence of the person. There is sophistication in both the quotes and in the art, encouraging repeated readings. The nuggets of information should inspire readers and leave them with a thirst to know more about these women. Kathleen Krull's Lives of Extraordinary Women (Harcourt, 2000) takes a more detailed, humorous look at 20 women (both books include Wilma Mankiller); Lynne Cheney's A Is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women (S & S, 2003) is more limited in scope.–Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 4-7. There are many books on women and the strides that they've made, but this one is very smart--in design, art, and choice of subject. Some choices are expected, but others, such as Pueblo painter Quah Ah and Egyptian doctor and activist Nawal El Sadaawi, are unusual. Chin-Lee uses her subjects' given names, as family names mostly relate to fathers or husbands. The illustrations are done in a remarkable mix of media. Against textured backgrounds, an image of each woman in signature moment takes center stage: Babe Didrikson Zaharias, looking like a paper doll in a cutout photo, takes a swing. Inventor Grace Hopper is shown with calculations and sun-shaped pieces of metal bursting out of the top of her head. The text portions are short--only several paragraphs about each women--but they are enticing. By choosing her subjects from every culture, the author introduces children to the scope of the struggles and achievements of women from many times and many places. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570915229
• ISBN-13: 978-1570915222
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 11.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brief portraits of influential, memorable women, May 29, 2005

By 

Henry Berry "Henry Berry" (Southport, CT) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World (Hardcover)

There's the familiar, expected, notable women--the flier Amelia Earhart, the black author Zora Neale Hurston, the artist Frida Kahlo, the philanthropist Eleanor Roosevelt. But there's also a number of accomplished lesser-known women and ones who have achieved recognition in recent years who are not yet seen as regulars in the circle of historically significant women. Thus, one finds the architect Maya Lin and the figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. Outstanding women from diverse ethnic backgrounds and active in diverse fields, from labor unions to science to entertainment, are included in the twenty-six for each letter of the alphabet. Each woman is pictured in a collage-like illustration with objects representing what she is recognized for.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Girl's Goldmine, February 27, 2008

By 

L. Swain (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World (Hardcover)

When planning for elementary grades, it's been difficult for me to unearth well-written picture books about women who have made a difference in the world as we know it. I hit pay dirt when someone gave me this book to use as a resource for a unit studying the changes people make in the social world. The women depicted in this alphabet book are from many nations, many eras, and many cultures. They've all led different lives and have made unique contributions to entire societies around the globe: art, science, literature, aviation, politics...the list goes on. The illustrations are playful yet respectful and the concise stories on each page give the reader insight into the woman's personal and professional life. The author's note gives the reader a glimpse into the making of the book and the selected bibliography is arranged according to the alphabetical order of the featured women. Teachers and parents should not pass by this rich and rare glimpse of truly phenomenal women.

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty to look at, January 15, 2007

By 

A. Gwynn "gwynnj" (Silver Spring, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World (Hardcover)

Interesting book with great pictures. 8 and under will enjoy this.