6.02.2013

Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?

The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell

This post joins other Nonfiction Monday blogs hosted today
by Jean Little Library
and joins It's Monday!
What are you reading?

Christy Ottaviano Books
(Henry Holt and Company)
(pub. 2.19.2013) 40 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top

A uthor: Tanya Lee Stone
     and Illustrator:  Marjorie Priceman

haracter: Elizabeth Blackwell

O verview from the jacket flap: 

      "In the 1830s, when a brave and curious girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was growing up, women were supposed to be wives and mothers. Career options were few. There were certainly no female doctors. But Elizabeth refused to accept these common beliefs and would not take no for an answer.
       This inspiring story of the first female doctor in America shows how one strong-willed woman opened the doors for all the female doctors who followed."

T antalizing taste: 

    "The teachers had let the students vote on whether or not to allow Elizabeth to come. And the boys, figuring the school would never really accept a girl, said yes. They planned to turn the whole thing into a big joke.
     But the joke was on them!"
                       
and something more: As always, I'm fascinated by the Author's Note in picture book biographies. In Who Says Women Can't Be DoctorsTanya Lee Stone explains that after Elizabeth Blackwell graduated from medical school "with the highest grades in the whole class" in 1849,  "no one would hire her to work as a doctor."  Thank goodness Elizabeth Blackwell "refused to give up. She was as stubborn as a mule. Quite rightly!" I didn't realize that her sister also became a doctor and together they started The New York Infirmary for Women and Children - "the first hospital run by women, for women."  Thanks to Tanya Lee Stone for sharing this true tale of perseverance.

8 comments:

Ms. Yingling said...

I'll have to take a look at this one, but I wish that the cover weren't quite so cartoonish. This might make it a hard sell in the middle school.

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

That's a really interesting point -- the appeal of a cover illustration to different age groups. Thanks for stopping by!

Tara @ A Teaching Life said...

She is such an inspiration - to carry on in the face of so much resistance took such guts!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Tara! Yes, I agree!

Resh said...

OOh i have been waiting to read this one and keep forgetting to get it. Your review was a good reminder! Thanks :)
-Reshama
www.stackingbooks.com

Hannahlily said...

oh, I really like Tanya Lee Stone's work, but I hadn't heard of this one. I don't know as much about Blackwell as I should. Must check this book out!

Jeff Barger said...

This fits really well with the Core's emphasis on recognizing character traits of historical figures. I can understand Ms. Yingling's concern about the cover. I was immediately drawn to it and I teach 2nd grade. Reminds me of Chris Raschka.

Kellee Moye (@kelleemoye) said...

Love Tanya Lee Stone!
This book sounds like something every kid (and adult) needs to read. Yay Girl Power!

Happy reading this week! :)