The Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter [Paperback]

Bonnie Christensen (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

From the award-winning picture book biographer of Woody Guthrie comes the inspirational story of Nellie Bly. Born in 1864, during a time in which options were extremely limited for women, Nellie defied all expectations and became a famous newspaper correspondent. Her daring exploits included committing herself to an infamous insane asylum in New York City to expose the terrible conditions there and becoming the first American war correspondent of either sex to report on the front lines of Austria during World War I. In 1889, Nellie completed her most publicized stunt, her world-famous trip around the world in just 72 days, beating the record of Jules Vernes’ fictional hero in Around the World in 80 Days.

With an informative text and pen-and-ink illustrations reminiscent of the graphic style of the late 1800s, The Daring Nellie Bly captures the independent spirit of America’s first star reporter, Nellie Bly.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-Born in 1864, Bly (christened Elizabeth Jane Cochran) lived at a time when opportunities for women were extremely limited. Not only did she overcome overwhelming obstacles to become one of the first "serious" female newspaper reporters, but she also became one of the most well known. Her expos‚s on the discriminatory work practices toward women at several factories and the deplorable condition of a city-run mental institution made her famous, but her historic 72-day journey around the world made her a folk hero. Large, colorful, pen-and-ink illustrations cover almost every page, and a four-page world map helps readers follow the journalist's round-the-world jaunt. Appropriately enough, this terrific biography reads like an adventure story. Perfect for read-alouds, the book gives just enough information to tell a good tale, while providing inspiration for the curious to seek out more material about this fascinating woman.
Sue Morgan, Tom Kitayama Elementary School, Union City, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5, younger for reading aloud. This picture book for older readers tells Nellie Bly's fabulous story: a riches-to-rags childhood; a job at the Pittsburgh Dispatch when no woman had such a thing; a move to New York, where she went undercover in an insane asylum and then wrote the story for the New York World. She bested the fictional hero Jules Verne by going around the world--alone-- in 72 days, and she was a war correspondent during World War I. In an easy-to-read style, Christensen lets Bly's story tell itself, and her art, as it was in Woody Guthrie: Poet of the People (2001), is powerful and rich in color. She uses strong black line to outline figures, add detail, and emphasize vivid facial expression in oversize pictures that are full of movement and action. Children will thrill to the true-life story. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dragonfly Books; Reprint edition (June 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375851186
• ISBN-13: 978-0375851186
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.1 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #789,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Journalists
  • #71 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Literary

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christensen Strikes Again..., August 15, 2004

By 

cce "Casey" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter (Hardcover)

Bonnie Christensen, who gave us Woodie Guthrie, Breaking into Print, and countless other wonderful books, has done it again. In taking on both famous and obscure characters, she demonstrates the range of her world view. And her ability to present different forms and genres of art is only another example of her versatility. From wood engravings, to acrylics, to watercolors, there doesn't seem to be anything she can't do. And Nelly Bly shines mightily in this easy to read, but historically important work. Bravo!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book About an Extraordinary Woman, July 28, 2004

By 

A Happy Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter (Hardcover)

I loved the story of this amazing and courageous woman, Nellie Bly. As the School Library Journal says, quote: this terrific biography reads like an adventure story. (endquote) And that's absolutely true. It's a great read aloud. The illustrations remind me of old newspaper illustrations and I especially like the little details, the monkey for example. Booklist calls the illustrations quote: powerful and rich in color. (endquote) Despite an incredibly difficult childhood Nellie Bly perservered. She was not only courageous, she was compassionate and she was smart! She successfully ran her husband's million dollar company until a bunch of men employees embezzled so much they ran her out of business. Then at the age of 50 she was off to report on WWI. An amazing woman, and a book that's a wonderful tribute.

5.0 out of 5 stars Girl power!!!, July 24, 2010

By 

Bibliomaniac (Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter (Paperback)

This book shows what a determined girl/woman can do in the fact of impossible odds. Nellie Bly was determined and courageous in a time when women were expected to do polite and demure.
Every girl should know this story.