NONFICTION - Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life Of Discovery

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Freedman, Russell. 1993. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0899198627

PLOT SUMMARY
From a privileged yet tragic childhood and an uncertain young adulthood, a fiercely independent and focused woman was born. Freedman’s photobiography reveals the facts behind the transformation of Eleanor Roosevelt. A truly remarkable journey is recounted as readers are led through each event that helped shape Eleanor Roosevelt into one of the most influential, yet modest women in American history. Piecing together historical facts and accounts, personal quotes, excerpts from the “My Day” column, Eleanor’s own biography, and recollections of friends and family, Freedman eloquently builds a chronological telling of Roosevelt’s life. The book is divided into various parts including Eleanor’s childhood, her education abroad, the early years as a newlywed with Franklin, her political endeavors, the years as the wife of a president, the war years, and her life after Franklin’s passing. Over 100 black and white photographs give the reader even more insight into Eleanor Roosevelt’s tenacious and prolific history.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The chronological order of the text makes for fluid reading. This fact, coupled with Freedman’s propensity to tell both the good and the bad gives this book a nicely balanced viewpoint. Freedman never shies away from even the most awkward of topics from Eleanor Roosevelt’s past, including FDR’s marital infidelity and Eleanor’s image as a nosy and prying busybody. The biography is greatly enhanced by Eleanor’s own words interspersed throughout. An example of this method is found when the author recounts the time after FDR’s death. During this time, Eleanor was seeking her place in the world and stated, “I did not want to cease trying to be useful in some way. I did not want to feel old.” Through her own words, Eleanor’s vulnerability and her desire to make a difference are revealed. The reader sees someone not unlike themselves in Eleanor Roosevelt. Freedman’s style of describing events through the actual words of others is quite effective. Aside from the text, the reader is afforded an insider’s view into Eleanor Roosevelt’s life through the many black and white photographs depicting Eleanor, her family, her friends, and her achievements. At least every other page is filled with images from the life of this pioneering and unpretentious First Lady. A fairly substantial index makes for ease of use in terms of reference. Freedman also includes an annotated bibliography of sorts in a concluding section filled with brief descriptions of other books by and about Eleanor Roosevelt.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Newberry Honor Book - 1994
* ALA Notable Book – 1993
* Boston-Globe Horn Book Honor Book for Nonfiction – 1994
* YALSA Best Book for Young Adults - 1993
* SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: “The sensitivity and frankness of this volume, as well as the extensive, supporting black-and-white photographs, mark this as a wide-ranging, honest appraisal of this admirable, courageous woman.”
* BOOKLIST REVIEW: “From the first page, the style of this admiring photobiography is as direct and unpretentious as its subject. . .This is a book to read across generations.”
* HORN BOOK REVIEW: “At last, children have a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt equal to its subject! Young readers will find inspiration, hope, and guidance in the life of this outstanding woman.”
* PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW: “This impeccably researched, highly readable study of one of this country's greatest First Ladies is nonfiction at its best. As a role model for girls and an inspiration to both genders, Eleanor Roosevelt remains unsurpassed.”

CONNECTIONS
* After reading Eleanor Roosevelt’s biography, teach students how to write a bio-poem. Have them complete a bio-poem using what they know about Eleanor Roosevelt and her life.
* Create a timeline of important events in the life of Eleanor Roosevelt.
* Students will keep on ongoing journal based on the concept behind Eleanor Roosevelt’s “My Day” column.
* Brainstorm and discuss the contributions of other notable women in history.
* Other children’s book biographies of Eleanor Roosevelt:
1) Kulling, Monica. ELEANOR EVERYWHERE: THE LIFE OF ELEANOR ROOSEVELT. ISBN 067998996X
2) Thompson, Gare. WHO WAS ELEANOR ROOSEVELT?. ISBN 0448435098
3) Ellwood, Nancy. LEARNING ABOUT INTEGRITY FROM THE LIFE OF ELEANOR ROOSEVELT. ISBN 0823953459
4) Attebury, Nancy G. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: FIRST LADY OF THE WORLD. ISBN 0756518563
5) Fleming, Candace. OUR ELEANOR: A SCRAPBOOK LOOK AT ELEANOR ROOSEVELT’S REMARKABLE LIFE. ISBN 0689865449