A True Tale with A Cherry On Top
A uthor: Tanya Lee Stone
and Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
C 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."
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!"
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 Doctors, Tanya 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:
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.
That's a really interesting point -- the appeal of a cover illustration to different age groups. Thanks for stopping by!
She is such an inspiration - to carry on in the face of so much resistance took such guts!
Hi Tara! Yes, I agree!
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
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!
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.
Love Tanya Lee Stone!
This book sounds like something every kid (and adult) needs to read. Yay Girl Power!
Happy reading this week! :)
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