Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Boston : Houghton Mifflin, [2000]
Description
A brief biography of the self-educated nineteenth-century Englishwoman who, after a secluded childhood and youth, traveled alone through unexplored West Africa in 1893 and 1894 and learned much about the area and its inhabitants.
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Picture-book biographer Don Brown - whose other contributions to the genre include Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein and Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries - tells the tale of Victorian explorer Mary Kingsley in Uncommon Traveler. After passing a lonely - one almost might
I enjoyed Don Brown's book enough that I am tempted to add Kingsley's own memoir, Travels in West Africa, to my (ever-growing) to-be-read shelf. The story is fascinating, as is the woman. She seems such a contradiction to me - willing to step out of a traditional woman's role, and travel on her own, but either indifferent or opposed to various issues of women's rights; feeling a deep and true respect for the cultures of Africa, but unable or unwilling to challenge the racist underpinnings of colonialism itself. I'm glad that Brown points out some of these contradictions in his afterword, which was very informative. Although I can't say the illustrative style here really appealed to me, the tale itself was so engaging, and the figure of Mary Kingsley so compelling, that I would recommend Uncommon Traveler to all young readers with an interest in the history of exploration, or a taste for biography.
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say neglected! - childhood and young adulthood, caring for her infirm mother, Kingsley set out for West Africa at the age of thirty, a journey few women of her time would have undertaken. Wading through swamps, tussling with alligators, and getting to know the native peoples she met, Kingsley conceived a respect and love for the region that would astonish her contemporaries back "home..."I enjoyed Don Brown's book enough that I am tempted to add Kingsley's own memoir, Travels in West Africa, to my (ever-growing) to-be-read shelf. The story is fascinating, as is the woman. She seems such a contradiction to me - willing to step out of a traditional woman's role, and travel on her own, but either indifferent or opposed to various issues of women's rights; feeling a deep and true respect for the cultures of Africa, but unable or unwilling to challenge the racist underpinnings of colonialism itself. I'm glad that Brown points out some of these contradictions in his afterword, which was very informative. Although I can't say the illustrative style here really appealed to me, the tale itself was so engaging, and the figure of Mary Kingsley so compelling, that I would recommend Uncommon Traveler to all young readers with an interest in the history of exploration, or a taste for biography.
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LibraryThing member katitefft
This story is a good biography for children to read about the life of Mary Kingsley, a woman who, much to people's surprise, survived several trips to West Africa in the late 1800's. The details in this book are all factual and supported by a bibliography. The beginning of this story is set in
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England, where Mary Kingsley spent her childhood. However, the majority of the story takes place in West Africa, a place Mary Kingsley later called home. While the author does not share the specific countries Kingsley visited, the reader does learn much about her adventures in this foreign land, ranging from encounters with animals to making friends with tribal groups. Readers will come away from this biography with a much clearer understanding of who Mary Kingsley was and the adventuresome life she lived. Show Less
LibraryThing member conuly
I never heard of this woman until I got this biography from my Secret Santa at LibraryThing. She had a fascinating life after she was grown - exploring Africa alone in those days when travel was difficult.
I like how the book is written. The author doesn't speculate on her thoughts or motivations
Simple, factual, and, above all - interesting. I intend to get more books by this author. He's just shot to the top of my wishlist.
I like how the book is written. The author doesn't speculate on her thoughts or motivations
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(although actual quotations by Mary Kingsley are used when appropriate), and while her childhood was certainly "difficult" (she grew up isolated, educating herself and taking care of the house and her invalid mother while her father traveled), this is stated clearly without dwelling on it in a maudlin fashion. It's hard to walk that line between covering up unpleasant facts and making a big deal of them, but this book does that nicely.Simple, factual, and, above all - interesting. I intend to get more books by this author. He's just shot to the top of my wishlist.
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LibraryThing member msshank
As a small child Mary had much responsibility due to her parents being sick. She had to grow up before it was time for her too. When Mary parents died, she decided to travel the world. She went to South Africa after being warned not too.
LibraryThing member Jmmott
This book is simply beautiful. The slight wistfulness in the voice of the narrator combined with the soft, but detailed illustration mad me want to travel to west Africa on my own to explore the world. This picture book biography tells the story of the trying childhood of Mary Kingsley, here desire
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to explore the world like her infrequently present father, and how she comes to terms with becoming her own woman after years of caring for family members. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaamstutz
Given her extraordinary life, this information picture book about Mary Kingsley was both enlightening and entertaining. Although her childhood seemed bleak, Kingsley found comfort in learning and eventually had the gumption to set out for Africa to explore and continue the work of her father. As a
I believe this book would fare better for a younger audience and would not necessarily be useful at the secondary level. However, the book introduces a woman who fearlessly broke barriers and added to the scientific and anthropological fields. She is a woman I would like to introduce into my lessons concerning either Victorian England, exploration, or noteworthy people in anthropology.
The book is organized chronologically beginning with her childhood in England then focusing on her adventures in Africa until her eventual death in 1900. The story is dotted with excerpts from her writings and speeches which add authenticity to the narrative. The sentences are not very complex but include words that would help expand younger readers' vocabulary. The author even included a bibliography to point where he got his information although there were no citations anywhere in the text.
All in all, a good book with a heroine whose life story will entertain younger audiences.
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work of nonfiction, this book would introduce children to terminology associated with African cultures like the different names of tribes, rivers, and exotic landscapes. Also, the funny anecdotes about her experiences with animals like crocodiles and hippopotamuses would keep children engaged.I believe this book would fare better for a younger audience and would not necessarily be useful at the secondary level. However, the book introduces a woman who fearlessly broke barriers and added to the scientific and anthropological fields. She is a woman I would like to introduce into my lessons concerning either Victorian England, exploration, or noteworthy people in anthropology.
The book is organized chronologically beginning with her childhood in England then focusing on her adventures in Africa until her eventual death in 1900. The story is dotted with excerpts from her writings and speeches which add authenticity to the narrative. The sentences are not very complex but include words that would help expand younger readers' vocabulary. The author even included a bibliography to point where he got his information although there were no citations anywhere in the text.
All in all, a good book with a heroine whose life story will entertain younger audiences.
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LibraryThing member matthewbloome
Another great Don Brown biography. This is definitely one of my favorites. Well done. Much appreciated. Mary Kingsley is such an unusual historical figure. It's fascinating to read of the exploits of her short life after her parents death. She accomplished so much in so short a time.
LibraryThing member ecarlson2014
Book Review Template:
Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley in Africa, written and illustrated by Don Brown. This book starts out when Mary Kingsley is young. It tells about her childhood and how lonely it was. After Mary is groan up and responsibilities at home are gone, she decides to visit West
Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley in Africa, written and illustrated by Don Brown. This book starts out when Mary Kingsley is young. It tells about her childhood and how lonely it was. After Mary is groan up and responsibilities at home are gone, she decides to visit West
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Africa. We follow her adventures through Africa and see the amazing things she did. Seeing all of the things she did was amazing and knowing it is true, that she really did it, makes it even more amazing. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about people who really lived and did amazing things. This is a great book to learn more about Africa and Mary Kingsley. Show Less
LibraryThing member jenniferm14
Appropriate for second and third grade students, this biography tells the life of Mary Kingsley in an intriguing way. Besides using it for a read aloud, this book could also be used for teaching about biographies.
LibraryThing member MrsBond
Amazing story, wonderfully told. Beautiful illustrations, muted and soft, as if we were seeing Kingsley's memories. Includes note and bibliography.
Subjects
Awards
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Honor — Nonfiction — 2001)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2000)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2003)
Notable Children's Book (2001)
ISBN
0618002731 / 9780618002733
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Lexile
L