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A review by sunsoar25
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming, Jessica Hische
5.0
Earhart’s biography is framed with her dramatic disappearance and the weeks until the search was called off. The author does not begin dryly but with an intense moment in her life that readers are probably the most familiar with and thrillingly expands upon them. The author includes Earhart’s early life and doesn’t shy away from the family’s troubles. From the beginning, Amelia pushed common gender boundaries in her own way and longed for adventure. Growing up Amelia learned to be self-reliant. Fleming details her training and the buildup to a major figure in the public eye through her major undertakings. Fleming makes an interesting point that George Putnam, Amelia’s manager and later husband, helped Earhart cultivate her public image and make a living out of such a dangerous profession which really opens up the celebrity side of her. The themes of this biography include the all important identity and expectations, both societal and gender. The style of author’s writing increases the suspense and tension on the classic mystery. Amelia is characterized in the biography as being both non-conventional and driven role model but also as a being driven in some regards by the fame and fortune. Fleming presents a balance portrait of Amelia Earhart.
Overall, I thought the author did a very good job of making this iconic legend a real person by delving into her life and the personality she presented to the world. Major strengths of this biography include keeping maps, primary source documents, photographs of Amelia in action, and further resources if the reader wants to learn more. In respect to the quality of writing, Amelia is fully-fleshed out and well-rounded rather than a mysterious flier. The author is also able to present her in the context of her day and as we see her now. I believe the framing of the biography with what is known of her last flight would be the most appealing aspect of the work to teens because it is able to give the incident a sense of urgency lacking in textbooks.
5Q 4P, M J
I think the cover would appeal primarily to younger teens. It shows an iconic black and white photo of Earhart posing with one of her planes. The font style, design, and color really set off the picture adding a dash of excitement, danger, and a good deal of adventure.
2012 Nomination YALSA Excellence in Non-fiction, Biography
[I needed to read and review this novel for a course and the above was my course review with voya codes and all.]
Overall, I thought the author did a very good job of making this iconic legend a real person by delving into her life and the personality she presented to the world. Major strengths of this biography include keeping maps, primary source documents, photographs of Amelia in action, and further resources if the reader wants to learn more. In respect to the quality of writing, Amelia is fully-fleshed out and well-rounded rather than a mysterious flier. The author is also able to present her in the context of her day and as we see her now. I believe the framing of the biography with what is known of her last flight would be the most appealing aspect of the work to teens because it is able to give the incident a sense of urgency lacking in textbooks.
5Q 4P, M J
I think the cover would appeal primarily to younger teens. It shows an iconic black and white photo of Earhart posing with one of her planes. The font style, design, and color really set off the picture adding a dash of excitement, danger, and a good deal of adventure.
2012 Nomination YALSA Excellence in Non-fiction, Biography
[I needed to read and review this novel for a course and the above was my course review with voya codes and all.]