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Overview
Amelia Earhart developed a love of flying at a very young age. As she followed her dream and built a name in the field of aviation-breaking numerous records along the way-she inspired other women to soar to new heights.With an introduction by astronaut pioneer Eileen Collins, Amelia Earhart: This Broad Oceanfocuses on Amelia's triumphant crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 1928. Panel by panel, it offers a glimpse of her relentless ambition and tireless will to promote women's rights. Above all, it leaves us with a sense of her deep-rooted desire to touch the sky.
Synopsis
"Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others." — Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart developed a love of flying at a very young age...and she wasn't about to let any man get in the way of her dreams. What began as a simple joy became something much deeper - a commitment to open doors for all women. As Amelia built a name for herself in the field of aviation - breaking numerous records along the way - she paved the road for future trailblazers, women like Danica Patrick, the first woman to win an Indy car race, and Eileen Collins, the first female space shuttle pilot.
In Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean, Taylor and Towle focus on Amelia's triumphant crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 1928, offering us a glimpse at her relentless ambition and her tireless will to promote women's rights. But above all, author and illustrator leave us with a sense of her deep-rooted desire to touch the sky.
The New York Times - Tanya Lee Stone
…very well written, even captivating at times, and Ben Towle's black, white and blue art suggests the feeling of flight when it moves from panel-packed spreads to more open and expansive ones as the story, along with Amelia's plane, takes off. The presentation—a sort of graphic-novel-style biography—is a breath of fresh air…All in all, kids are going to eat this book up.
Editorials
Children's Literature -
The story of Amelia Earhart's record-breaking flight across the Atlantic in 1928 has been well covered, but this fresh look at the historic event brings a new perspective to the story. Presented in outstanding graphic-novel form, the story is told from the point of view of Grace Goodland, a young resident of Trespassey, Newfoundland, a small fishing village that was geographically the closest point to Europe in North America. Townspeople watch and wait as Earhart's team tries to take off in a small seaplane, only to be thwarted day after day by high winds. Earhart's race to be the first woman to cross the Atlantic is hampered not only by poor weather, but by a tippling pilot and two other women also determined to be the first women to make the journey across the sea. Grace befriends Amelia as they wait for a break in the weather, and, when Amelia makes it across the ocean successfully, she sends Grace a telegram, allowing Grace to scoop the story. The book also details Earhart's tragic and mysterious disappearance several years later. The author and illustrator do a masterful job detailing not only the story of Earhart's journey, but also depicting Earhart's passion for flying and independent spirit and the constraints she and Grace were under in trying to push the barriers of what was acceptable for women in early twentieth-century society. Also included in the book is an introduction by astronaut Eileen Collins, as well as panel discussions providing more information about particular sections of the book and a bibliography for more information about Amelia Earhart. This is a terrific introduction to a woman who personified the American pioneering spirit. Reviewer: Lauri BerkenkampVOYA -
Most readers know of Amelia Earhart's attempt to circle the globe, but few know of her earlier efforts in aviation. Readers learn through words and comic illustrations about the pilot's early life in aviation and how her actions inspired a young girl to hope for more from life. The book begins in a small town in Newfoundland where attempts are made to cross the Atlantic Ocean because of its shorter distance to Europe. When a local girl, Grace, learns that Amelia Earhart is attempting to be the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic, her interest is piqued. A budding writer, Grace interacts with newspapermen in town to cover the flight and eventually meets Amelia herself and interviews her for a newspaper Grace self-publishes. Through this interview, readers learn more about Earhart's early life and her interest in flying and aviation. Inspired by Earhart's example, Grace works hard to follow her dreams as a journalist; a career typically male-dominated. Young readers will connect with Grace as she learns about and makes her way in the world. The illustrations help capture the atmosphere of the 1920s and 1930s in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, and the vastness of the world both Grace and Amelia want to conquer. In fact, the most striking "cells" of this graphic novel are those with no words at all. An addendum offers discussion prompts on events and characters in the book that are a useful tool for teachers and illuminating for any reader. Reviewer: Nancy PierceSchool Library Journal
Gr 5 Up—In a dramatic prologue, a ship offshore of the tiny harbor town of Trepassey, Newfoundland, is dashed to pieces as a plane flies safely overhead, an image that skillfully sets the tone of the book while also presaging the events that will one day claim Earhart's life. The story begins in 1928, with the intrepid Earhart coming to Trepassey in hopes of becoming the first woman to pilot a plane across the Atlantic. After being grounded by several failed flight attempts, she meets a kindred spirit in Grace, a plucky local girl with dreams of becoming a journalist. Earhart gives Grace (and readers) some background into her earlier life and motivations. It is with great joy that Grace receives news of the aviatrix's successful flight. Flash forward nine years and Grace, inspired by Earhart's accomplishments, is now working for a newspaper in Halifax when she learns of the pilot's sudden and mysterious disappearance. Readers are left knowing that Earhart's legacy will give Grace the strength to try to break down the barriers that prevent her from becoming a reporter. Taylor's thoughtful, deliberately paced storytelling may seem slow to some readers, but it allows for a less-sensationalized accounting of the pilot's life. Towle's black, white, and mono-color illustrations have a classic feel that enlivens the tale with casual grace. Endnotes provide insight into the story for those looking for more information. An excellent choice for comic fans, history buffs, and anyone looking for a strong female role model.—Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, CanadaTanya Lee Stone
…very well written, even captivating at times, and Ben Towle's black, white and blue art suggests the feeling of flight when it moves from panel-packed spreads to more open and expansive ones as the story, along with Amelia's plane, takes off. The presentation—a sort of graphic-novel-style biography—is a breath of fresh air…All in all, kids are going to eat this book up.—The New York Times
Publishers Weekly
Rather than rushing past the highlights of Earhart's career, this quietly moving book approaches her life through the admiring curiosity of a girl who also aspires to escape traditional boundaries. Young Grace has grown up in Trepassey, Newfoundland, the nearest point in North America from which a plane can take off to fly to Europe; it's also a seacoast community familiar with shipwrecks and other evidence of how coldly indifferent nature can be. In June of 1928, tweener Grace, the dubious townspeople and a mob of impatient newsmen wait for Earhart to finally get her plane in the air for a transatlantic flight. Grace yearns to leave the little village and to become a newspaper woman, so she observes the commotion and manages to get the aviator's personal encouragement in an interview before her successful departure. Taylor's lean script leaves much of Grace's feelings understated but easy to imagine. Towle's art is also emotionally restrained, but panels showing the bleak landscape—especially double-page spreads of what Earhart called “this broad ocean”—emphasize the courage of people willing to take ultimate risks. Astronaut Eileen Collins's introduction, which describes the inspiration she drew from Earhart's example, carries the theme to the present. Ages 10–up. (Feb.)Kirkus Reviews
The Center of Cartoon Studies, producer of the critically lauded graphic biographies of Harry Houdini, Satchel Paige and Henry David Thoreau, adheres to the same winning formula with this charmer about famed aviator Amelia Earhart. Readers meet the fictionalized Grace Goodland, a young Newfoundland girl striving to be a reporter, who finds herself enamored with the nonconformist Earhart and tells the story from her earnest viewpoint. Grace keeps a keen eye on Earhart as she and her pilot face daily struggles to depart from the treacherous harbor for their 1928 Atlantic crossing. When Earhart finally completes her transatlantic voyage, she telegrams Grace, giving the girl her first real "scoop." Following a similar format as its predecessors, this volume contains panel notes at its conclusion, adding deeper layers of history to the already rich narrative. An introduction from astronaut Eileen Collins also adds to the title's charisma. Coupled with the rich prose, Towle's detailed art truly makes this stellar book a visual feast. Like Earhart herself, this book ought to soar exuberantly into the hearts of its readers. (Graphic historical fiction. 9-12)Book Details
Published
February 1, 2010
Publisher
Hyperion Books for Children
Pages
96
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781423113379