The Riches of Oseola McCarty [Hardcover]

Evelyn Coleman (Author), Daniel Minter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

A brief biography of Oseola McCarty, a hard-working washer woman who, without a formal education herself, donated a portion of her life savings to the University of Southern Mississippi to endow a scholarship fund for needy students.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-Oseola McCarty, an 87-year-old African-American laundress who left school in sixth grade, stunned the nation when she donated much of her life's savings (over $150,000) to the University of Southern Mississippi to endow scholarships. This inspiring account of her life unfolds in this clear, colorful narrative. Coleman details the backbreaking work that this woman and her female family members performed each day as they made their own lye soap, washed heavy loads by hand, and pressed them with a flat iron. Never marrying, living a frugal life, and always saving, McCarty wanted to use her money to help others get what she had missed-a good education. When her generosity became known, she was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal at the White House. The author tells this story with great respect, incorporating information gathered from interviews with McCarty and people in Hattiesburg who know her. The black-and-white block prints enclosed by clothespin borders convey a feeling of strength and dignity. A worthy addition.
Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Coleman (To Be a Drum, p. 264, etc.) writes with feeling of an African-American woman whose work ethic proved inspiring. At the age of five Oseola (Ola) McCarty moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi with her grandmother and aunt. Both the women worked hard every day, and Ola was taught to do all the things they did, from making soap, to washing the clothes by hand on a washboard, to heating the irons on the stove to press the stubborn wrinkles out of the damp garments and linens. For their backbreaking work, which started at seven in the morning and lasted until late at night, Ola and her grandmother were paid 50 cents a bundleas much as a customer could tie into a bedsheet. Still, Ola learned that it was important to save as much as she could every week in a bank account. A lifetime later, at 87, Ola had to quit working for health reasons, but wondered what to do with the considerable amount of money she had saved; she decided to give most of what she hadwell over $150,000to the University of Southern Mississippi for a scholarship fund, which was named for her. The action brought her fame and many awards, but Ola remained the frugal person she had always been. The story, illustrated with black-and-white woodcut-like prints, is full of wisdom and quiet courage; readers will be drawn to the simplicity of the habits that led to Ola's riches. A small, fine book. (Biography. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807569615
• ISBN-13: 978-0807569610
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,003,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring biography!, March 4, 2004

By 

"gritskidz" (Carrollton, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Riches of Oseola McCarty (Hardcover)

I was so proud when this biography about the life of Oseola McCarty made the Texas Bluebonnet Reading List for 2000-2001! While reviewing this book for the library and sharing it with the kids of this book club, I thought that Oseola's attitude -- working hard, saving money, getting a good education, and sharing with others -- is exactly the kind of examples and values that we want to share with our children. Whenever I hear her name today and think about her generous gift to the University of Southern Mississippi, I am reminded that there is still honor, dignity, and value in doing work that brings pleasure. This wonderful biography about a remarkable woman's spirit is an inspiration to us all!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming story--with a moral, June 10, 2000

By 

J. Nichols "Booker" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Riches of Oseola McCarty (Hardcover)

Ms. McCarty is exactly the type of person to which we, as parents, teachers, or librarians, should be exposing our children. This short book tells the story of how an uneducated black woman, who worked at only menial jobs, saved enough money to establish a college scholarship fund. There are important lessons about work ethic, education, saving money, and particularly about faith in God. This story should be read aloud to third grade and up. The book also includes information on setting up savings accounts.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming biography, June 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Riches of Oseola McCarty (Hardcover)

This biography makes the reader realize that hard work can bring riches to one's life and I don't mean just money. Anyone who loves her job and saves money can accomplish anything. Kids should read this book and take Ola's message to heart. Find something you enjoy doing and make that your life's work!