Module 10: Historical Fiction -- Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan

Image retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Eleanor-Ride-Munoz-Ryan/dp/059096075X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448122502&sr=8-1&keywords=amelia+and+eleanor+go+for+a+ride

Book Summary:

This story is a the fictional account of a night flight that Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt took on one spring night. Amelia is visiting the White House for dinner. While at dinner Eleanor mentions to Amelia that she has received her pilots training license, Amelia says she would be happy to teach Eleanor. Through the dinner conversation the attendants ask  Amelia what it's like to fly a night. She tells them how beautiful the sky is and how wonderful the city looks. That gives Amelia the idea to take Eleanor for a flight that very night. In the book Amelia flies them all over DC. When they return Eleanor then takes Amelia for a ride in her new car. To end the night they have one of Eleanor's favorite desserts.

APA Citation:  

Ryan, P., & Selznick, B. (1999). Amelia and Eleanor go for a ride: Based on a true story. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Impressions:  

This book was a wonderful fictional representation of the real life friendship between Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt. The book is beautiful with wonderful black and white pictures depicting a memorable night in the lives of these astounding women. The author gives a historical references listing the actual events. Her interpretation juxtaposing the lives of these two women and how they are alike, but very different give a historical reference for the reader. I like how independent, strong and different these two women were during their time and how the author stresses this in her book.  Overall a great short historical fiction book based on a real event. This book also is the right length and has the right sentence structure to make it a great read aloud.

Professional Review:   

KIRKUS REVIEW

Ryan and Selznick skillfully blend fact and fiction for a rip-roaring tale of an utterly credible adventure. On April 20, 1933, Amelia Earhart had dinner at the White House with her friend, Eleanor Roosevelt. Amelia’s description of flying at night so entranced Eleanor that the two of them, still in their evening clothes, flew in a Curtis Condor twin-motor airplane and were back in time for dessert. Eleanor herself had studied for a pilot’s license, but had to be content driving instead. Selznick has created marvelous graphite pictures, with slight washes of color, for scenes based on accounts and descriptions of the evening, right down to the china on the White House table. Using a slightly exaggerated style and a superb sense of line and pattern, he plays with varying perspectives, close-ups, and panoramas to create a vivid visual energy that nicely complements the text. There is sheer delight in the friends’ shared enjoyment of everything from a formal dinner and fine gloves to the skies they navigated. A final historical photograph shows the two on the plane that night. (Picture book. 5-10)

AMELIA AND ELEANOR GO FOR A RIDE by Pam Munoz Ryan. (1999). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved November 18, 2015, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/pam-munoz-ryan/amelia-and-eleanor-go-for-a-ride/

Library Uses:   

I would include this picture book in a program promoting important women in history. As this book contains two strong women it would be perfect as a read aloud for this program.