The Daring Nellie Bly: America's Star Reporter

This is a beautifully illustrated (picture book) biography of investigative reporter, Nelly Bly. Her story began with a prosperous childhood, only to be abruptly ended at age six when her father died. After a few years of hard times, her mother eventually married a man who turned out to be abusive.

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She determined never to be dependent upon anyone but herself. As a young woman, she searched for jobs and finally found her fit as a newspaper reporter. She challenged many expectations for women of her day: holding a job- a woman journalist was unheard of-, being single, traveling unchaperoned, and placing herself in danger for said job. She wrote many stories exposing unfair and illegal practices that affected the lives of ordinary women. She was responsible for coming up with many of her own ideas, including beating the fictional figure Phileas Fogg's journey around the world in 80 days. This book is written in a story format with accompanying illustrations done in watercolor and colored pencil sketches similar to the graphic style of the late 1800s. Maps are also illustrated showing her travel routes. The text is easy to understand (while not too easy), and is supported by research from the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT. A chronology of her life and acheivements follows the story, as well as a bibliography and videography. This would be especially helpful when doing a unit on famous women, and shows young readers the character and determination needed to succeed in life. Nellie is a real person who exemplifies the independent woman of her time.

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I didn't know about Nellie Bly's around the world quest. This book really enlightened me about that. It was a longer than the average picture book biography. I don't think I could use it with a younger audience simply because of wavering attention spans, but I enjoyed learning from it. I think with

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an upper elementary to early middle school audience, this would work out really well. The illustrations are just right for the book, conveying not only the events of the story, but the general tone of the era. Overall, I enjoyed the book. I'd add it to my children's biography collection happily.

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The thrilling story of Nellie Bly who defied all standards for women in her time. She overlooked the traditional expectations and rules and went on to do things that no woman had ever done before, and even man in some cases. She was a reporter in a time when female reporters were uncommon and lived

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an extraordinary life that would be fascinating to readers of all ages.
I really enjoyed this book.

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