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Sibert Award winner: Almost Astronauts
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From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse_at_wisc.edu>
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:41:30 -0600
Perhaps I missed earlier comments about the Sibert winner "Almost Astronauts." I'm glad I didn't miss reading this gripping account about 13 women who tried to become part of the space program during its early years. This book offers a strong commentary on how women were viewed in society after World War Two, and how women who were skilled pilots were shut out of the space program. There's evidence in Almost Astronauts that this sexist practice was part of a wider practice of exclusion involving racism and an attempt to keep all "minorities" out of the space program. The book is full of information and details of compelling interest to kids, as well as to this reader. Hats off to the courageous 2010 Sibert Award Committee and your decision to honor ground-breaking information written well and documented extensively.
It must have been a challenge for this committee to choose between "Almost Astronauts" and "Claudette Colvin," because the latter is also full of historical detail essential to understanding the racism and rage leading up to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Although I think I'd always heard that there was a high school girl who could have preceded Rosa Parks in fame by remaining seated in a segregated bus, I never realized much about why her own brave act preceding that of Mrs. Parks has been played down in histories of the Civil Rights Movement. And she knew Mrs. Parks, too, spent time in her home, etc. There's much to think about here.
Even though it's not on the list of Sibert honorees, I want to mention Elizabeth Partridge's "Marching to Freedom," a compelling account of the young people caught up in the Civil Rights demonstrations and marches originating in Selma, Alabama. Partridge is another author who took the time to interview people who were there and thus was equipped to create a memorable, significant account of history continuing to be revealed. The very accessible and well documented "Marching to Freedom" has been named to the 2010 ALA/ALSC Notable Children's Books and ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults lists.
Best, Ginny
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse_at_wisc.edu
Received on Sun 07 Feb 2010 10:41:30 PM CST
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:41:30 -0600
Perhaps I missed earlier comments about the Sibert winner "Almost Astronauts." I'm glad I didn't miss reading this gripping account about 13 women who tried to become part of the space program during its early years. This book offers a strong commentary on how women were viewed in society after World War Two, and how women who were skilled pilots were shut out of the space program. There's evidence in Almost Astronauts that this sexist practice was part of a wider practice of exclusion involving racism and an attempt to keep all "minorities" out of the space program. The book is full of information and details of compelling interest to kids, as well as to this reader. Hats off to the courageous 2010 Sibert Award Committee and your decision to honor ground-breaking information written well and documented extensively.
It must have been a challenge for this committee to choose between "Almost Astronauts" and "Claudette Colvin," because the latter is also full of historical detail essential to understanding the racism and rage leading up to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Although I think I'd always heard that there was a high school girl who could have preceded Rosa Parks in fame by remaining seated in a segregated bus, I never realized much about why her own brave act preceding that of Mrs. Parks has been played down in histories of the Civil Rights Movement. And she knew Mrs. Parks, too, spent time in her home, etc. There's much to think about here.
Even though it's not on the list of Sibert honorees, I want to mention Elizabeth Partridge's "Marching to Freedom," a compelling account of the young people caught up in the Civil Rights demonstrations and marches originating in Selma, Alabama. Partridge is another author who took the time to interview people who were there and thus was equipped to create a memorable, significant account of history continuing to be revealed. The very accessible and well documented "Marching to Freedom" has been named to the 2010 ALA/ALSC Notable Children's Books and ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults lists.
Best, Ginny
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse_at_wisc.edu
Received on Sun 07 Feb 2010 10:41:30 PM CST
