Genre Five - Historical Fiction

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Freedman, Russell. 1993. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 0899198627.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Eleanor Roosevelt’s life story is told in the biography, ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. Widely known as the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor had a rich life of her own outside of being the First Lady. This book examines her story from a young child, through her teen years, as First Lady, and her life after the death of her husband.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Russell Freedman gives a very detailed account of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt while making the material interesting for young children. He manages to explore some touchy subjects such as alcoholism, and verbal insults, and adultery while still being sensitive to Mrs. Roosevelt’s nature. Mr. Freedman also fills the biography with actual photographs of Mrs. Roosevelt and her family and friends. These pictures lend a glimpse into the life of Eleanor Roosevelt and her beloved family.

It is made clear in the book that Mrs. Roosevelt was a warm, caring person and that all who came into contact with her felt this warmness and knew what a genuine person she was. By using quotes from primary sources such as letters and newspaper articles, the author is able to allow the reader to make a personal connection to Mrs. Roosevelt.

It is evident that Mr. Freedman wants to honor Mrs. Roosevelt’s privacy and legacy by the way he approaches the sensitive subjects in her private life. When the subject of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s infidelity arises, the subject is dealt with in a straight forward manner but also with the sensitivity that Mrs. Roosevelt could appreciate given that it was such a private matter. The same is true when he writes about her shyness and the alcoholism that her father battled in her early years.

While this book was written for children as the primary audience, it is not written “down” to children. Readers of all ages will enjoy the smart writing and photos about Eleanor Roosevelt as her life unfolds on the pages. As she grows in body and mind, we can cheer her triumphs and morn her losses. Being able to see the faces of the people she loved and cared for in the many photos allow readers to connect with her on a very personal level.

At the end of the book there is a photo album of pictures from various events in Eleanor Roosevelt’s life. There is information about Val-Kill the “only national historic site dedicated to the memory of a First Lady.” In addition there is also a section that mentions other books about Eleanor Roosevelt. This is more than just a list of books but he details what each book is about, the authors or authors, her autobiographies and even magazine articles that are available on the subject of the former First Lady. This is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the remarkable woman who made a difference in America.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
1993 Booklist Editors' Choice
1993 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
1993 School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
1993 AIGA 50 Books Show Selection
1994 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
1994 ALA Notable Book for Children
1994 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award
1994 Newbery Honor Book
1994 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
1994 Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
1994 Library of Congress, Children's Books of the Year
1998 Not Just For Children Anymore! Selection (CBC)

Horn Book
"Freedman has created a sensitive biography of Eleanor Roosevelt -- certainly sympathetic but not overly adulatory; it captures her spirit. The beautifully crafted text flows smoothly and is accompanied by over one hundred black-and-white photographs portraying Roosevelt at every age. Young readers will find inspiration, hope, and guidance in the life of the outstanding woman. Bib., ind."

Kirkus Reviews with Pointers
"Freedman at his best: a splendid achievement."

CONNECTIONS:
Use in Social Studies classes studying famous Americans.
Use in Language Arts classes when studying biographies.
Have students create a timeline of Eleanor Roosevelt’s life.
Use in conjunction with the study of the United Nations or U.S. Presidents.