The Daring Nellie Bly : America's Star Reporter

Rating:
Summary: Christensen Strikes Again...
Review: Bonnie Christensen, who gave us Woodie Guthrie, Breaking into Print, and countless other wonderful books, has done it again. In taking on both famous and obscure characters, she demonstrates the range of her world view. And her ability to present different forms and genres of art is only another example of her versatility. From wood engravings, to acrylics, to watercolors, there doesn't seem to be anything she can't do. And Nelly Bly shines mightily in this easy to read, but historically important work. Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book About an Extraordinary Woman
Review: I loved the story of this amazing and courageous woman, Nellie Bly. As the School Library Journal says, quote: this terrific biography reads like an adventure story. (endquote) And that's absolutely true. It's a great read aloud. The illustrations remind me of old newspaper illustrations and I especially like the little details, the monkey for example. Booklist calls the illustrations quote: powerful and rich in color. (endquote) Despite an incredibly difficult childhood Nellie Bly perservered. She was not only courageous, she was compassionate and she was smart! She successfully ran her husband's million dollar company until a bunch of men employees embezzled so much they ran her out of business. Then at the age of 50 she was off to report on WWI. An amazing woman, and a book that's a wonderful tribute.

Rating:
Summary: Alas for lost potential
Review: Reporter, millionaire, and advocate of the female worker, Nellie Bly was America's first female shock journalist. Christensen's biography examines Bly's life, climaxing with the worldwide trip that beat "Around the World In Eighty Days"'s timeline. Readers of Christensen's "Woody Guthrie: Poet of the People", may find themselves disappointed by this newest biography. Lacking her customary woodcuts and inventive presentation, "Nellie Bly" is unappealingly static. The illustrations are either taken directly from photographs of Bly or present flat expressionless characters. Christensen sticks to the facts of Bly's life, but is not above softening them. Reporting that Bly, "successfully ran (her husband's) huge manufacturing company", Christensen fails to mention that Bly additionally drove the business to bankruptcy. Best used as a introductory source to Nellie's life, readers wishing to learn more about this fascinating person should consult the sources provided in the book's bibliography, notably Charles Fredeen's "Nellie Bly: Daredevil Reporter".