Written by Karen BlumenthalBlumenthal, Karen. 2005. Let me play: the story of Title IX : the law that changed the future of girls in America. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-689-85957-0.
SUMMARY
In this non-fictional work of art, author Karen Blumenthal examines the history of Title IX; the law that opened the doors of educational and athletic opportunities for all American girls. This book is an exceptional informational book in that it provides an in-depth look at the events and individuals, who not only advocated for women’s rights, for instance the right to vote and the right for equal pay; it also chronologically details the events and documents the women, who advocated and supported Title IX. Throughout the book there are narrations of various women and their personal battles to overcome discrimination of various forms.
Karen Blumenthal is an acclaimed author. She has more than 25 years of experience as a financial journalist and was the Journal’s Dallas bureau chief for eight years. She is highly recognized as a non-fictional writer and has received several distinguished awards and nominations for her writings including several for this book. Ms. Blumenthal writes with experience and precision. She avoids stereotypes by capturing the sentiments and reactions of the time from several perspectives. She provides factual information and documents the information through source notes for each chapter, photo credits, and a selected bibliography. She also includes a section that lists relevant books and websites “for further information”. The relevant books focus on girls and sports, women’s rights, and information about Title IX.
The organization of the book is chronological in sequence. It begins with events in 1848 and continues with prominent milestones up through the year to 2003. Reference aids are provided and include a table of contents, a title IX timeline, and an index. There are several illustrations and cartoons throughout the book. They are all appropriate and compliment the text magnificently. On a blog posting I came across, Karen Blumenthal states, “As a nonfiction author, I've come to appreciate that powerful photographs and cartoons of the day can truly help bring a time period alive for a young reader.” I do agree, the cartoons invite the reader into the book and motivate the reader to look in depth at the subject matter.
The author’s unique style, which is visible through her word usage and how she combines the text and illustrations all work together to present a work of literature that clearly and appropriately demonstrates her enthusiasm. Page after page, the author’s presentation of the information is direct and without misunderstanding. One can especially appreciate the chapter headings, which are quite catchy and suit the topic. The “instant replays” adds emphasis and the “player profiles” encourages thinking and further reading.
AWARDS/NOMINATIONS
• ALA Amelia Bloomer Project
• ALA Best Books For Young Adults
• ALA Notable Children's Books
• Bank Street Best Books of the Year
• CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
• CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
• Golden Spur Award Honor Book
• IRA Children's Book Award Notable
• Jane Addams Children's Book Award
• Kansas State Reading Circle Middle School Titles
• Maine Student Book Award Master List
• SLJ Best Book of the Year
• SSLI Book Award Honor Book
SUMMARY
In this non-fictional work of art, author Karen Blumenthal examines the history of Title IX; the law that opened the doors of educational and athletic opportunities for all American girls. This book is an exceptional informational book in that it provides an in-depth look at the events and individuals, who not only advocated for women’s rights, for instance the right to vote and the right for equal pay; it also chronologically details the events and documents the women, who advocated and supported Title IX. Throughout the book there are narrations of various women and their personal battles to overcome discrimination of various forms.
Karen Blumenthal is an acclaimed author. She has more than 25 years of experience as a financial journalist and was the Journal’s Dallas bureau chief for eight years. She is highly recognized as a non-fictional writer and has received several distinguished awards and nominations for her writings including several for this book. Ms. Blumenthal writes with experience and precision. She avoids stereotypes by capturing the sentiments and reactions of the time from several perspectives. She provides factual information and documents the information through source notes for each chapter, photo credits, and a selected bibliography. She also includes a section that lists relevant books and websites “for further information”. The relevant books focus on girls and sports, women’s rights, and information about Title IX.
The organization of the book is chronological in sequence. It begins with events in 1848 and continues with prominent milestones up through the year to 2003. Reference aids are provided and include a table of contents, a title IX timeline, and an index. There are several illustrations and cartoons throughout the book. They are all appropriate and compliment the text magnificently. On a blog posting I came across, Karen Blumenthal states, “As a nonfiction author, I've come to appreciate that powerful photographs and cartoons of the day can truly help bring a time period alive for a young reader.” I do agree, the cartoons invite the reader into the book and motivate the reader to look in depth at the subject matter.
The author’s unique style, which is visible through her word usage and how she combines the text and illustrations all work together to present a work of literature that clearly and appropriately demonstrates her enthusiasm. Page after page, the author’s presentation of the information is direct and without misunderstanding. One can especially appreciate the chapter headings, which are quite catchy and suit the topic. The “instant replays” adds emphasis and the “player profiles” encourages thinking and further reading.
AWARDS/NOMINATIONS
• ALA Amelia Bloomer Project
• ALA Best Books For Young Adults
• ALA Notable Children's Books
• Bank Street Best Books of the Year
• CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
• CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
• Golden Spur Award Honor Book
• IRA Children's Book Award Notable
• Jane Addams Children's Book Award
• Kansas State Reading Circle Middle School Titles
• Maine Student Book Award Master List
• SLJ Best Book of the Year
• SSLI Book Award Honor Book
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
Starred Review. Grade 7 Up -A fascinating look at the birth, growth, stagnation, and final emergence of Title IX. While acknowledging the controversy surrounding this law, the author is unwaveringly supportive of its passage and implementation. Interesting and easy-to-follow chapters highlight the process of creating, revising, fighting for, and ultimately passing this legislation that gave girls and women equal access to physical-education classes, gymnasiums, universities, and graduate schools. Human-interest stories personalize the issues, and photographs of congresswomen fighting for equal opportunities for girls, women demonstrating, and the ultimate victory-a woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated-show how challenging, yet ultimately rewarding, the battle has been. Charts depict amazing statistics about the increase in athletic participation by females from 1970 to 2001. Cartoons show the humorous but painfully true attitudes of our culture toward women as they have strived to achieve equality in this country. The book closes with a "Then and Now" section highlighting the changes Title IX has brought about. Lynn M. Messina's Sports in America (H. W. Wilson, 2001) and Victoria Sherrow's Encyclopedia of Women and Sports (ABC-CLIO, 1996) both offer bits of information, but nothing out there comes close to Blumenthal's portrait of the emergence of women athletes in our society. --School Library Journal
Gr. 6-9. As in Six Days in October (2002), a compelling overview of the 1929 stock market crash and a financial primer, Wall Street Journal editor Blumenthal uses specific facts and fascinating personal stories to give readers a wide view of history. Here, the author looks at American women's evolving rights by focusing on the history and future of Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in U.S. education. Profiles of groundbreaking female athletes and legislators deftly alternate with highlights of the women's movement, from the early twentieth century through today. The dull paper stock diminishes the many black-and-white photos, but the images are still gripping, and relevant political cartoons and fact boxes add further interest. Few books cover the last few decades of American women's history with such clarity and detail, and this comprehensive title draws attention to the hard-won battles, the struggles that remain, and the chilling possibility that rights, if not fiercely protected, can easily be lost. --Booklist
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2011/09/guest-post-karen-blumenthal-on-power.html
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