Module 12 - Our Eleanor

Fleming, C. (2005). Our Eleanor: a scrapbook look at Eleanor Roosevelt's remarkable life. New York, Atheneum Books for Young Readers.


Summary
This is a biography of one of the most memorable first ladies in United States history. Designed in scrapbook-like fashion, Our Eleanor takes the reader through Eleanor Roosevelt's life from childhood to the White House and to her death in 1962.  This biography delivers the life of Mrs. Roosevelt more like a story with pictures and captions than other biographies.  Fleming took pictures and items from Mrs. Roosevelt's life and arranged them so the reader could read and learn about the life of this woman and while looking at a scrapbook of a family member. 


My Impressions

A lovely memoir of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt with personal pictures and items that give unique insight into her life, her thoughts and insecurities.  I never knew Mrs. Roosevelt's contributions until reading this book and have a new found respect for her that's deeper than before.  The author does a great job creating a book that the reader can read at any pace or order they wish.  The pictures and captions allow for an easy read without having to go from start to finish.

Review

In this standout biography, Fleming employs the scrapbook style she debuted in Benjamin Franklin's Almanac for another American icon, Eleanor Roosevelt, the "first lady of the world," in the words of former president Truman.Short chapters arranged into a pastiche of narratives and deftly supported by photographs, newspaper articles, letters and humorous cartoons explore how this sad "Little Nell," as her father called her, emerged from an unhappy albeit privileged childhood to become an indefatigable champion of the poor and powerless. So controversial that she inspired "one of the largest FBI files in American history" (3,271pages), Eleanor was also beloved by thousands of Americans, who wrote to her seeking advice or solace. Fleming documents many of the ways Eleanor herself evolved, such as how her prejudiced views on Jews changed over time, and some of the ways in which she remained faithful to herself even if it brought her pain. Eleanor's intellect attracted her charming and ambitious cousin Franklin, and their divergent approaches to life would divide them as a couple but also strengthen them as political partners. Fleming relies on the prolific words of Eleanor herself, family members, friends and observers to enhance this multi-faceted life story. The attractive design capitallizes on these various perspectives, often highlighted in different type treatments; yet the overall appearance is one of cohesion. With this approach, Fleming allows readers to draw their own conclusions; they will come away with an understanding of a woman who shaped her times and left a lasting imprint on the future. Ages 10-14. 

N.A. (2005). [Review of the book Our Eleanor: a scrap book look at Eleanor Roosevelt's remarkable life]. Publishers Weekly, 252,(37). 68-69.

Suggested Library Use

Of course this would be a great book to do a book talk on when discussing biographies or historical figures to students.  However, this would be a great book to do a book talk on and post to the library web site to encourage students to try something new.  Not being a fan of biographies, I really enjoyed this book and would like to share that excitement with the students through a book talk.