Talkin' About Bessie

Title: Talkin' About Bessie

Author: Nikki Grimes

Illustrated By: E.B. Lewis

Publisher: Orchard Books

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/search?query=talkin%27+about+bessie&x=0&y=0

Publication Date: 2002

Genre: Non-fiction history/biography

Audience: 3-5 grade

Overview: Bessie (Elizabeth Coleman), was the first female, African American to fly a plane. She had to leave the country to have flying lessons. She learned tricks, put on shows, and lived her childhood dream. Each page of the book is a different person that Bessie knows, discussing how they knew her and describing her personality and life events. Each person in the book was influenced by Bessie and they describe her life as they saw it.

Activity: This book could be used for a history activity. A study of African American individuals that made a difference and did things that people weren't expecting them to do. The book could be used as a biography. An activity with simply group discussion of discrimination and the struggles or African Americans.

Reviewer's Name: Emily Trees