You Can't Do That, Amelia! [Hardcover]

Kimberly Wagner Klier (Author), Kathleen Kemly (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Despite the naysayers, Amelia Earhart was able to soar through the skies and accomplish many of her dreams. Young Amelia dreams of building her own roller coaster, learning to fly her own airplane, and even exploring the skies as one of the world's first female pilots. But girls in the early twentieth century don't do such things. When Amelia tells her family and friends of her plans, they only shake their heads and say, "You can't do that, Amelia!" But Amelia is not easily discouraged and eventually earns a place in American history as one of the world's first female pilots and one of the century's most acclaimed adventurers. Well researched and supplemented with biographical information, research notes, and additional sources, You Can't Do That, Amelia! will leave young readers inspired to follow their dreams.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—In this short picture book about a few episodes in Amelia Earhart's life, readers can see that, even as a child, Earhart always dared to try the things she dreamed about. While growing up in Kansas, she imagined swooping down in a roller coaster from the shed rooftop to the backyard, and despite her cousins' skepticism ("You can't do that, Amelia!"), successfully built a track and cart out of scrap wood and roller-skate wheels. When she was older, she dreamed of flying her own plane and also accomplished this goal, though her family expressed their doubts. In 1929, when she vowed to complete the first Women's Air Derby, reporters laughed at her, but she came in third. Unfortunately, a book that starts out as a promising introduction to Earhart's life ends abruptly with her trans-Atlantic flight in 1932. Despite the author's in-depth research, the story is slight and feels unfinished. Most of the information is relegated to the five pages of background notes, which include a biographical summary, a time line, and sources for further reading. The main narrative does not cover the mystery surrounding the around-the-world flight that marks Earhart's place in history. Attractive because of the colorful pencil and watercolor artwork, yet disappointing for the lack of a substantial text.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

As a girl, despite her cousins' claims she couldn't, Amelia Earhart built a roller coaster using wood and roller-skate wheels so that she could feel like she was flying...Kemly's soft illustrations suit this heavily fictionalized portrait of a stalwart heroine, which...will likely inspire young readers and lead to further investigation. --Kirkus Reviews

This is a colorful, hand-sketched short biography of Amelia Earhart for children in the upper primary or lower middle years. Whether building her own version of a roller coaster as a young person or establishing a number of aviation milestones, Earhart could usually do whatever she set her mind on doing. The book presents this aspect of her personality by the frequent repetition of the statement, "You can't do that, Amelia. But Amelia did." The overall positive tone presented is supportive of young people fulfilling their dreams. The book concludes with a short biography and chronology of Earhart's life, plus a reading list of titles for young people, three websites on the famous aviatrix and other women in aviation, a list of American Museums, and a bibliography for adult readers. --Science Books and Films

Amelia Earhart is an iconic figure in American history. This biography shows the reader several events in Earhart's life where other people told her she wouldn't be able to do it, but Earhart proved them wrong. Always strong willed and adamant about accomplishing her goals, she pushed forth with determination and spirit. Her life was filled with dreams and new accomplishments which the book highlights: taking flying lessons, becoming a pilot, flying in the first Women's Air Derby, and flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean. This book ends with Earhart crossing the Atlantic and landing in a farmer's field in Ireland, succeeding at one of her greatest dreams. Klier also includes more about Earhart, a timeline of important dates, Web sites, a bibliography, and several places to visit to learn more about aviation and Amelia Earhart. Wonderfully illustrated by Kemly, her soft and flowing illustrating style gives the story another dimension, making the characters come alive on each page. Add this book to your collection and your teachers and students will thank you for an inspirational book they will enjoy again and again. --Library Media Connection

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Pr; Library Binding edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590784677
• ISBN-13: 978-1590784679
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,536,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Earhart, Amelia

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children, August 15, 2008

By 

Yana V. Rodgers "econkids.rutgers.edu" (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: You Can't Do That, Amelia! (Hardcover)

Most children leave elementary school with a good working knowledge of Amelia Earhart's famous accomplishment as the first woman pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and of her tragic disappearance while flying over the Pacific. Fewer kids may know about Ms. Earhart's escapades in engineering as a youth, her work as a women's rights advocate, and her efforts to support other professional women pilots. These important features of Amelia Earhart's life come through loud and clear in You Can't Do That, Amelia!

This well-researched book helps children get a better sense of young Amelia Earhart's flair for innovation and her entrepreneurial zeal. The vivid illustrations and clear text do a good job communicating Amelia's uncanny ability to defy people's low expectations of women's ability to succeed in the male-dominated profession of flying. Investing in human resources, overcoming discrimination, and pursuing innovative ideas are all powerful lessons in economics. Weaving these lessons into an entertaining story about a popular heroine gives this book its strong appeal.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for younger kids, March 20, 2010

By 

Jyotsna Sreenivasan "Gender Equality Bookstore" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: You Can't Do That, Amelia! (Hardcover)

Throughout her life, Amelia Earhart was often told, "you can't do that!" This accessible picture book uses this refrain to highlight Earhart's persistence, creativity, and courage. As a child, she built a kind of "roller coaster" in her yard. As a young woman she worked as a nurse and thought about enrolling in medical school, but airplanes and flying fascinated her. Despite the doubts of others around her, she took flying lessons, bought her own airplanes, started an organization for women pilots, and set records for height and distance. Earhart's compassion is also emphasized: she stops to help a fellow pilot during an air race.

The book ends with Earhart's successful transatlantic flight, and does not cover her fatal attempt to fly around the world This allows the book to end on a positive note for young readers (ages 5 and up, I would say). However, the appendix includes a complete biography and timeline of her life.

I've included this book in my online Gender Equality Bookstore.