Talkin' About Bessie (Hardcover)

~ Nikki Grimes (Author), Earl B. Lewis (Illustrator), B. Moser (Illustrator), E.B. Lewis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Historic flights take the spotlight in two fall titles. Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman by Nikki Grimes, illus. by E.B. Lewis, recalls the life of the world's first licensed African-American female pilot through 20 eulogies, fictionalized perspectives based on actual people. "I remember that bone-chillin' January day in 1892/ when Bessie's first cry raised the roof/ off that dirt-floor cabin, back in Texas," Bessie's father, George Coleman, begins. Newspaper editor Robert Abbott tells of her enrollment in a French flight school ("No flight school/ in our color-minded nation/ would accept a woman, or a Negro"). Lewis's elegant inset portraits appear alongside the words of each speaker; full-bleed, full-page paintings illustrate dramatic moments in Coleman's life.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-8-This fresh contribution to the spate of relatively recent titles about Coleman has a decidedly unique tone. Talkin' is a well-conceived, well-executed, handsomely illustrated, fictionalized account of the life of the first black female licensed pilot in the world (CIP places the book in the 600s). An introductory note puts the aviatrix in historical context, but neglects to explain some references (e.g., Jim Crow laws). The text consists of 21 poetic vignettes of Coleman delivered by "speakers" at a funeral parlor, all of whom have come to mourn the pilot who died at age 34 in a plane accident. Their reminiscences on stark white pages are illustrated with miniature portraits bordered in sepia, each one facing a full-page watercolor capturing a moment in the woman's life. Skillfully drawn and occasionally photographic in their realism, the pictures perfectly match each speaker's recollections. A concluding note states rather definitively in regard to her death: "The cause of the crash remains a mystery" despite some evidence to the contrary. No sources are listed. While fictional, this is a fine piece to use to set a tone or inspire more research into Coleman's life. It could also serve as an exceptional writing model for students. The concept, much like Marilyn Nelson's Carver: A Life in Poems (Front Street, 2001), is noteworthy.
Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Orchard; Stated First Edition edition (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439352436
• ISBN-13: 978-0439352437
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #455,364 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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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 Excellent, thought-provoking biography, October 21, 2002

By A Customer

This book is an unusual, thought-provoking means of telling the story of Bessie Coleman's life. Written in free verse, Bessie's story is told by the people who attend her funeral, her family, friends, and acquaintances. Each voice is intriguing, weaving a complex tapestry of this noteworthy woman's life. Teachers and dramatists take note--what a great book to use for reader's theatre or as a play. E.B. Lewis' illustrations are perfect for the book, setting the right tone for each voice, and his portraits of each speaker bring them alive, talking to us as though we were there at the memorial service. I'm giving this as a gift to several children I know!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring story, March 8, 2004

By	"acerrito" - See all my reviews

The story is an inspiring recollections of the life of Bessie Coleman. The author did a wonderful job describing Ms. Coleman using the fictionalized points of view of who knew her. This is an inspiring story of a young girl who would let nothing stand in the way of her dreams.

3.0 out of 5 stars Talkin' About Bessie, September 9, 2009

By	Shel Julian Kessel "SJ Kessel" (Columbus, Oh) - See all my reviews

Grimes, N. (2002). Talkin' About Bessie: The story of aviator Elizabeth Coleman. New York: Orchard Books.



0439352436





Bessie Coleman is quite the amazing historical figure. The day she realized she wanted to become a pilot, she quit her job. She then learned French so she could go to flight school in France. After an accident that grounded her in a hospital, her first plan was to get back up in the air. Bessie is a wonderful role model of dedication.



This Coretta Scott King Award winning biographical sketch has a unique frame of including the voices of the first African American female aviator's family and friends' voices describing her and the events of her life. The premise is that 20 people in Bessie's life have gathered for her funeral. What follows are multiple accounts of Bessie as she aged in poetic form--her desire for education, to go North, to find the right career, to fly.



The paintings of Talkin' About Bessie are realistic and wonderful. E.B. Lewis included portraits of each person who is "speaking" about Coleman, which is a nice addition.



The book would probably need some added support from a teacher if it's used with a child under third grade to remind the child among the speakers' connections to Coleman and to explain the historical context.







Activities to do with the book:



This would be a wonderful recommendation for a student who is interested in black or female trailblazers or interested in aviation. After doing a lesson on the Wright brothers or Amelia Earhart a teacher could easily transition to sharing Coleman's story.



If a teacher were using the book Let It Shine, this would be a wonderful book to share as a shorter alternative with many same themes (achievement, education, service, literacy, etc).



On the creative side, students could take on the perspective of others and write poems of what they think those people would think of them. Another option would be to write positive stories about other students' achievements. Students could also dramatize each eulogizer's speech to turn the book into a speech project.





Favorite Quotes:



"The form of the following story is fictional,

But the story itself is based on fact."



"When it came to knowledge, Bessie was a miser,

hoarding facts and figures like gold coins she was

saving up to spend on something special."



"I haven't made up my mind about being a pilot,

but Bessie made me believe I could be anything."