Seven Brave Women [Hardcover]

Betsy Hearne (Author), Bethanne Andersen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 1997 | Age Level: 4 and up

Take a journey through time with seven women who left their indelible imprints on the past. Their history is a story and more. They were farmers and artists and missionaries and storytellers. They fought many battles but never in any wars. They were devout and determined and tireless and beloved. They were brave beyond compare. Betsy Hearne and Bethanne Andersen both make their picture-book debuts in this empowering, beautifully illustrated account of seven unforgettable women.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4. History is often defined by its wars and the men who fought in them. Here, Hearne presents a family history that marks eras by the wars in which the women didn't fight. For instance, the first chapter begins, "My great-great-great-grandmother did great things. Elizabeth lived during the Revolutionary War, but she did not fight in it." The brief text goes on to describe her journey, in a wooden sailboat from Switzerland to America, with two young children and another on the way. Each double-page spread shows how these women's lives were distinctive in their own way. Some, like the great-grandmother who started a women's hospital in India, are remarkable by any standards. Others are remarkable in quieter ways, like the grandmother who lived in the same house her whole life, caring for many family members and all of the neighborhood animals. Hearne's smooth writing style is suited to the succinct narrative; her carefully selected details help bring the past to life. Andersen, in her picture-book debut, has created oil paintings full of color, light, and movement. A dove carrying a pink ribbon moves gracefully from page to page, tying the women's stories together visually and thematically. Feminism, pacifism, and genealogy are woven together to make an attractive book that may inspire young readers to delve into their own family histories. While this book is short on dramatic tension, it's strong in artistry and heart.?Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. In a world where history is often seen through the prism of war, Hearne introduces seven women of peace who also shaped history--through their creativeness, imagination, and, yes, bravery. The narrator, at first unseen, begins with, "My great-great-great-grandmother did great things. Elizabeth lived in the Revolutionary War, but she did not fight in it." Elizabeth came from Switzerland to America in a wooden sailboat and raised nine children here. Great-great grandmother Eliza lived during the War of 1812 but did not fight. She moved to Ohio in a covered wagon and made medicine from herbs and helped her neighbors have babies. Each of the women left her mark on the young narrator, who is shown in the last spread. She plays the flute and studies science and will make her own history. Although this is about one family of women (Hearne's, as the author's note explains), children will grasp the universality in these lives, while at the same time they'll be eager to hear stories about what makes their own families special. The text is strong and sure, with a cadence that makes it easy to read aloud. Andersen's pictures--dreamy, pastel-colored oils--are well executed, but a bit soft for the sturdy text; however, they do keep the women in the forefront of each spread. History units and genealogy projects are just a few of the places where this innovative piece will be integrated into the curriculum. Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow; 1st edition (August 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688145027
• ISBN-13: 978-0688145026
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,808,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Celebration of Seven Generations of Strong Women!, October 15, 1999

By 

blue ridge mtn mama (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Brave Women (Hardcover)

I found this book to be simply inspirational. Hearne sets up a time line of sorts, depicting seven strong, determined women from her heritage who are rugged yet feminine and caring. Each woman differs remarkably in her interest and education, but is portrayed as a positive and vital part of the family. The focus on the wars through out the lives of these women demonstrates the integral part women played on the homefront, more often than not with out the credit they deserved. This is a book that would spark interest in female readers who might not otherwise be curious about their own heritage.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seven Brave Women, May 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Seven Brave Women (Hardcover)

A book that tells the story of a family over generations, shows strong women, and expresses an unapologetic, matter of fact opposition to war would be of interest if it were not so well done. But it is well done. Telling the stories in the voice of the author's daughter is brilliant, tying the past to the future.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous.

I have bought copies of this book for my nieces and great-nieces, from adult to infant (OK, the infants will have to grow a bit before they understand, but even they like the pictures.) I think it would be good for the boys to read it, too, but I think that would be a harder sell.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So enjoyable!, August 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Seven Brave Women (Hardcover)

Reading this book to my kids made me want to find out more about my own great-great-great grandmothers!