Girls Who Rocked the World: Heroines from Sacagawea to Sheryl Swoopes

by Amelie Welden Narrated by Christina Moore

Overview

If you made a list of people who rocked the world, how many girls would be on it? Author Amelie Welden was inspired to write this story when she learned of the many young women who made their mark on history before the age of 20. Cleopatra was only 18 when named queen of the Egyptian empire, and Victoria was only 19 when crowned Queen of England. Phillis Wheatley is credited with starting the African-American literary tradition, and jazz singer Bessie Smith was only nine when she made her stage debut. This book covers the best-known heroines as well as some you may never have heard of, like Mary Anning, who discovered a dinosaur fossil in 1809 at the age of 11 and went on to become one of the first professional female scientists. Kids will find that there are many ways to make a difference, and included with each story are statements from today's girls about how they plan to rock the world. "Young women looking for inspiration will surely find it here."-Booklist

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Thirty-three short biographical sketches of young women who achieved "something extraordinary" before age 20. The entries are in chronological order, beginning with Cleopatra and ending with tennis star Martina Hingis. Some of the names are familiar (e.g., Hellen Keller, Anne Frank, and Wilma Rudolf), while others are less well known. Welden introduces pioneer Virginia Reed (of the ill-fated Donner party), scientist Irene Joliot-Curie, archaeologist Mary Leakey, musician Vanessa-Mae Nicholson, and others. Some of the entries, especially those about people who lived before 1800, contain a great deal of fictionalization. For example, the chapter on Phillis Wheatley reads: "She fiddled with her front baby teeth, which were loose, as she longed for her warm home in Africa...." This sort of narration builds mood but undermines the book's credibility. Each biography is illustrated with a good-quality black-and-white photograph or less effective drawing of the subject. Some of the illustrations are decidedly unattractive, and the one of Phillis Wheatley looks distorted. The boxed quotes by and photos of modern girls explaining how they will "rock the world" are charming touches.-Rebecca O'Connell, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171024314
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	03/07/2008
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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