Women Daredevils: Thrills, Chills, and Frills by Julie Cummins
Dutton Children's Books
48 pages
The stories of fourteen women during the period from 1880 to 1929 who performed feats of daring from being shot out of a cannon to high-diving on horseback.
6 comments:
This was a fun book. It was AMAZING what these women did; I'm not sure what was "gutsier" -- to actually do the stunts, or to do them during this period of history.
"Well behaved women rarely make history," said some female daredevil in the past. These 19th and 20th century women may not have been well-behaved, but they're certainly remembered. From Annie Taylor who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel- even though she couldn't swim- to the human cannonball Rosa "Zazel" Richter, these women attempted some incredible things.
I enjoyed reading about these spunky women and their adventures. Especially since they were from a time period when women were considered so much inferior to men, this is a story of strength of spirit. I think that's the quality and theme that may stick out the most in this book.
I didn't appreciate this in the introduction:
"when women didn't have conveniences like electric hair curlers, microwaves..."
Hmmm...
Sure, the stage must be set, but in 2009 I still find myself without electric hair curlers - whatever will I do! I would prefer to see a list with less stereotypical gender specific items on it.
Jamie at TUFW: I cannot believe some of the things these women did. The first woman ever to be shot out of a cannon? Jumping from one barebacked horse to another blindfolded? Shooting guns while riding planes? This book did a great job of telling about these wonderful daring women. And the illustrations are wonderful!
Intriguing and captivating! What a book to encourage young girls to strive for their dreams, whatever they may be.
It was surprising to me that all these women were either from the late 19th or early 20th century. Where are these women today? It seems to me that "daredevils" today are not as risky, or are risky in different ways perhaps. I would like to find out about women like this today.
I greatly enjoyed this story, the hope and empowerment it gives to women everywhere to read of these women's experiences.
This book is great for young girls to get the 'guts' to try something that is scary. I don't know about anybody else, but being shot out of a cannon is not something that just anybody can do. This book should inspire more young girls to listen to their dreams and not the map drawn for them by everyone else. Great book!
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