Grade 2-4-Kulling provides an overview of Roosevelt's life, from childhood until her death, emphasizing the woman's courage and spirit. Full-color paintings and black-and-white photos appear throughout. The watercolors are adequate, but the photos are a definite plus, showing Roosevelt engaged in activities described in the text. Children who select this title for an assignment may be pleasantly surprised to find themselves charmed by this exceptional woman.

Megan McGuire, Lake View Elementary School, Madison, WI

Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Part of the Step into Reading series, this illustrated chapter-book biography packs in a lot of information about Eleanor Roosevelt's life without condescension for the young audience. From the moving opening chapter, Kulling dramatizes the ugly duckling theme of the shy, awkward outsider who is rejected by her own mother, but who finds a life outside, first at school and then as a powerful figure in the public sphere. Toward the end, the inspirational message is a bit heavy, with too many exclamation points, but new readers will be caught by the direct story of the brave woman in politics, as First Lady, as columnist, and as a leader in the struggle for human rights. Half-page color illustrations on every page and occasional photos in black and white capture Roosevelt's courage and humanity. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.