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Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World
Twenty-six amazing women; twenty-six amazing stories. From Amelia Earhart, pilot and adventurer, to Zora Neale Hurston, writer and anthropologist, learn about the hardships and triumphs that inspired each woman to change the world around her. Detailed collages and illustrations draw from various events in the women's lives.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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620 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
September 11, 2014
Anna loved this book. She did wonder why most great women either had terrible childhoods or were imprisoned as adults. I just told her that adversity makes you strong and if you're going to change the world, expect a little jail time. ;)
March 6, 2011
“Reading people's life stories inspired me. I could empathize with their struggles, glory in their achievements, and use their examples to overcome the obstacles in my life” (Cynthia Chin-Lee – Author’s Note). Although the count of influential women is way more than twenty-six, this stellar compilation of biographies, highlights the lives of women, going through the alphabet, from A to Z (Amelia Earhart to Zora Neale Hurston). The women are ethnically-diverse, which provides great opportunities to allow readers to not only identify with one of these great women, but also to see into the lives of women who may be different from them. Each biography is brief – one on each page, yet, each one highlights the events of their lives that make them so special. The illustrations, made of collages, add visual details about their lives.
My favorite part of the book is that on each page there is an inspirational quote from each woman. “We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place – or not to bother” (Jane Goodall). Also, I enjoyed that the biographies combine well-known women like Oprah, to seldom-known figures such as Wilma Mankiller, chief of the Cherokee nation. This would be a great addition to a classroom library. It would be appropriate for a wide-range of students, in 1st-8th grades. It could be shared during a biography unit, Women’s History Month (March), or discussing influential people during certain time periods. If you are interested in more information about any of the selected women, a bibliography of sources is provided at the back of the book.
Cynthia Chin-Lee also wrote a follow-up book, Akira to Zoltán: Twenty-Six Men Who Changed the World (2008). In addition, she has other alphabet books: A is for the Americas (1999), which is an alphabet book that takes you through a journey in North, Central, and South America with a special focus on Latin and Native America (also translated in Spanish), and A is for Asia (1999), a book which celebrates the diverse language, cultures, and customs of the continent.
My favorite part of the book is that on each page there is an inspirational quote from each woman. “We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place – or not to bother” (Jane Goodall). Also, I enjoyed that the biographies combine well-known women like Oprah, to seldom-known figures such as Wilma Mankiller, chief of the Cherokee nation. This would be a great addition to a classroom library. It would be appropriate for a wide-range of students, in 1st-8th grades. It could be shared during a biography unit, Women’s History Month (March), or discussing influential people during certain time periods. If you are interested in more information about any of the selected women, a bibliography of sources is provided at the back of the book.
Cynthia Chin-Lee also wrote a follow-up book, Akira to Zoltán: Twenty-Six Men Who Changed the World (2008). In addition, she has other alphabet books: A is for the Americas (1999), which is an alphabet book that takes you through a journey in North, Central, and South America with a special focus on Latin and Native America (also translated in Spanish), and A is for Asia (1999), a book which celebrates the diverse language, cultures, and customs of the continent.
December 30, 2016
Yes, I'm reviewing a children's book. My sister in law gave this book to my husband's niece for Christmas and I got to read it to her. This book features short but information-filled blurbs about 26 badass women. Such a cool present and I actually learned a thing or two.
October 25, 2017
Amelia to Zora by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy is about some of the most famous women who have changed our history. A-Z each one a different person who can inspire any girl. The genres include history, children's, and non-fiction. This book is great for girls because it shows how much women have changed, not just men. It shows how strong women are and how they can go through so much to get to the other side if they really want it. The book has all sorts of women from different backgrounds and cultures. So it should be easier for girls to relate to at least one of the women in the book.
It also includes quotes from the women who are in it. Which I think would be very inspirational to little girls reading the book. I think it is a lot of information to take in so I do not think children below grade level three will be able to pay attention to it the whole time. I think the illustrations are different and very detailed in themselves. The writing style is formal. It portrays the women greatly and I would think the children would want to see all the little details that bring the images together. The faces are painted beautifully and the bodies or the things around them explain what they did in life more playfully than the faces. Most of the women in the book had gone through something hard in their life, but hopefully the children will think it only made the women stronger. It shows women of all different backgrounds and shows that these women had gone against the social norm. A lot of the women's values were to make the world a better place for everyone else. They were selfless women who changed our world.
It also includes quotes from the women who are in it. Which I think would be very inspirational to little girls reading the book. I think it is a lot of information to take in so I do not think children below grade level three will be able to pay attention to it the whole time. I think the illustrations are different and very detailed in themselves. The writing style is formal. It portrays the women greatly and I would think the children would want to see all the little details that bring the images together. The faces are painted beautifully and the bodies or the things around them explain what they did in life more playfully than the faces. Most of the women in the book had gone through something hard in their life, but hopefully the children will think it only made the women stronger. It shows women of all different backgrounds and shows that these women had gone against the social norm. A lot of the women's values were to make the world a better place for everyone else. They were selfless women who changed our world.
May 22, 2019
From A to Z, twenty-six women - a page for each - are highlighted because of their remarkable accomplishments that have made lasting effects and change in the world.
January 31, 2014
Excellent. This book is thoughtfully constructed (Cynthia Chin-Lee deliberately lists the women by first name instead of patronym) with gorgeous illustrations. Each mini-profile contains a quote by the woman described. Hearing their actual voices through their words makes the biographies even more compelling. The collage-like illustrations are full of symbols and visually arresting details that also give the reader another way to connect with the woman on the page. I appreciated the diversity of the women included in this book. Artists, scientists, activists, astronauts, pilots and authors... Yet before they came across as accomplished in their fields, Chin-Lee builds them up as strong people in their own right. She uses anecdotes and descriptions of these woman as girls to show how their character drove them to do great things.
This is a very inspiring book, though I can attest that it's hard to get through in one sitting. It's small, but packed with information. Even if a girl doesn't read it from cover to cover, she'll find a story inside that can foster a dream that will go on for a lifetime.
This is a very inspiring book, though I can attest that it's hard to get through in one sitting. It's small, but packed with information. Even if a girl doesn't read it from cover to cover, she'll find a story inside that can foster a dream that will go on for a lifetime.
June 30, 2010
This one I borrowed from the library, but after reading it, I simply HAVE to have it! (Amazon cart, I know you are full, but make room for one more!!) I adored everything about this book, from the unique multimedia illustrations to the inspiring quotes from the women. My favorite? "We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place-or not to bother." --Jane Goodall
Each page is a short biography, beginning with Amelia Earhart and ending with Zora Hurston. While each profile is brief, the words spark curiosity and invite further investigation. For this reason, I think it would make an excellent mentor text for writer's workshop. Using Cynthia Chin-Lee's example, we discover the importance of making each word count.
This book left me feeling very hopeful and proud to be a woman.
Each page is a short biography, beginning with Amelia Earhart and ending with Zora Hurston. While each profile is brief, the words spark curiosity and invite further investigation. For this reason, I think it would make an excellent mentor text for writer's workshop. Using Cynthia Chin-Lee's example, we discover the importance of making each word count.
This book left me feeling very hopeful and proud to be a woman.
May 19, 2008
CIP: none
Summary: a biography of 26 inspiring women from A to Z.
Review: This book is an amazing collection of biographies about fabulous women from Amelia Earhart to Zora Neale Hurston. There is a fantastic array of ethnicities, professions, hobbies, and religions to delight any reader from ages 6-12. It is inspiring and delightful to read these little snippets about so many strong women's lives and challenges, joys and struggles. The illustrations show great creativity with their mixed media, incorporating bits of lace, maps, typeset, pressed flowers, etc. in the vivid watercolor pictures.
SLJ says: "There is sophistication in both the quotes and in the art, encouraging repeated readings"
Kirkus says: "An inspiration and a delight"
Summary: a biography of 26 inspiring women from A to Z.
Review: This book is an amazing collection of biographies about fabulous women from Amelia Earhart to Zora Neale Hurston. There is a fantastic array of ethnicities, professions, hobbies, and religions to delight any reader from ages 6-12. It is inspiring and delightful to read these little snippets about so many strong women's lives and challenges, joys and struggles. The illustrations show great creativity with their mixed media, incorporating bits of lace, maps, typeset, pressed flowers, etc. in the vivid watercolor pictures.
SLJ says: "There is sophistication in both the quotes and in the art, encouraging repeated readings"
Kirkus says: "An inspiration and a delight"
March 17, 2012
Twenty-six women are highlighted from a variety of cultures, races, ethnicities and fields of accomplishment: one for each letter in the alphabet (e.g., Amelia Earhart, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Cecelia Payne-Gaposchkin, Dolores Huerta, Eleanor Roosevelt, etc.) Each page features a brief biography and a famous quote. The extremely creative illustrations by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy are collages that are made from drawings, photographs, flowers, maps, cloth, and landscapes in an entertaining representation of the essence of the woman being profiled.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
Read
March 21, 2012Cynthia Chin-Lee, Megan Halsey, and Sean Addy wrote about and illustrated 26 women among all the women she researched about using the first names of each woman to downplay the patriarchal forces in their individual identity and development. All these women made a difference in their fields of endeavors by overcoming obstacles and barriers. Their undaunted determination, bravery, and persistence shape their lives and their identity. The author later on wrote another book about 26 men who changed the world, Akira to Zoltan.
March 20, 2013
Children and adults alike are introduced a collection of women who have made a significant dent in history. Chin-Lee includes women from a wide range of time periods and cultural backgrounds. The illustrations are beautifully crafted in mixed media collages. It is hard not to learn something while reading this book! I would recommended it for 3-12. Younger children can be introduced to these influential women and older students can use this text as a springboard for further exploration.
June 8, 2015
I love the collage style illustrations. Women are amazing! WE ARE AMAZING.
November 9, 2018
Genre characterization: biography
Unlike a typical biography, this book touches on 26 women who changed the world. This books starts with the letter A and works its way to Z. Each letter represents a female who made a positive impact to the world. This book is great for young girls who feel defeated in a "mans world." It also can speak to students with disabilities or think they are "too young" to make a difference. Woman such as Helen Keller, Grace Hopper, Oprah, Wilma Pearl Mankiller. Each woman paving the way for younger girls by setting examples and "breaking the glass ceiling." This book gives inspiring and encouraging quotes by each female. It is my thought the author did this to help encourage girls to chase their dreams.
The pictures in this book are beautiful. They have great detail and show what each woman did to help contribute to the world. Whether it be sports, art, science, humanitarian, or theatrical you are able to get a better idea of what they are famous because of the pictures.
This book can be implemented into my classroom in several ways. It can be in my library for students to read, when talking about biographies I can incorporate this book for students, I can also use it to show that females and minorities are capable of anything if they work hard.
The writing trait I associate with this book is ideas. This book gives students the idea that they can do whatever they choose, no matter their background. Some of the woman grew up with nothing, while others had great disabilities. This biography is educational and inspiring!
Unlike a typical biography, this book touches on 26 women who changed the world. This books starts with the letter A and works its way to Z. Each letter represents a female who made a positive impact to the world. This book is great for young girls who feel defeated in a "mans world." It also can speak to students with disabilities or think they are "too young" to make a difference. Woman such as Helen Keller, Grace Hopper, Oprah, Wilma Pearl Mankiller. Each woman paving the way for younger girls by setting examples and "breaking the glass ceiling." This book gives inspiring and encouraging quotes by each female. It is my thought the author did this to help encourage girls to chase their dreams.
The pictures in this book are beautiful. They have great detail and show what each woman did to help contribute to the world. Whether it be sports, art, science, humanitarian, or theatrical you are able to get a better idea of what they are famous because of the pictures.
This book can be implemented into my classroom in several ways. It can be in my library for students to read, when talking about biographies I can incorporate this book for students, I can also use it to show that females and minorities are capable of anything if they work hard.
The writing trait I associate with this book is ideas. This book gives students the idea that they can do whatever they choose, no matter their background. Some of the woman grew up with nothing, while others had great disabilities. This biography is educational and inspiring!
January 24, 2019
Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World is a children's picture book written by Cynthia Chin-Lee and illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy. It is an interesting and informative alphabet book using twenty-six influential women throughout history.
Chin-Lee's text is simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It is a collection of mini-biographies of influential women by using the alphabet. Each mini-biography is written in a two-page spread with informative information and dazzlingly artwork. Halsey and Addy's illustrations are depicted rather well with interesting collage-like art. It represents the narrative and the image of the biography subject rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It is a set of twenty-six mini-biographies of women that changed to world. From Amelia Earhart, pilot and adventurer, to Zora Neale Hurston, writer and anthropologist, and everyone in-between, we learn about the hardships and triumphs that inspired each woman to change the world around her.
All in all, Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World is a wonderful children's alphabet book that is informative about twenty-six very influential women that changed the world.
Chin-Lee's text is simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It is a collection of mini-biographies of influential women by using the alphabet. Each mini-biography is written in a two-page spread with informative information and dazzlingly artwork. Halsey and Addy's illustrations are depicted rather well with interesting collage-like art. It represents the narrative and the image of the biography subject rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It is a set of twenty-six mini-biographies of women that changed to world. From Amelia Earhart, pilot and adventurer, to Zora Neale Hurston, writer and anthropologist, and everyone in-between, we learn about the hardships and triumphs that inspired each woman to change the world around her.
All in all, Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World is a wonderful children's alphabet book that is informative about twenty-six very influential women that changed the world.
February 29, 2020
This was quite good...better, I think, than the cover made it seem. I knew a lot about a lot of the figures in the book but I learned about new ones and more facts about those I thought I knew. I particularly liked the author's note where she talked about specifically choosing to use first names because for women last names are very entrenched with their husbands or fathers, and she also used given names of Asian and Asian-American women even though their given names are second. I think that is one of the great things about having an author of color write a book like this, she may think of something like this that another author may not think of. I appreciated the diversity of the women presented.
One little quibble: I wish she had talked about the controversy of Maya Lin being chosen as the architect for the Vietnam War Memorial, or at least made it clear which memorial she designed, because I found myself wanting to know more or for clarification. But I guess that is the point of a book like this: it's meant to leave you wanting more.
One little quibble: I wish she had talked about the controversy of Maya Lin being chosen as the architect for the Vietnam War Memorial, or at least made it clear which memorial she designed, because I found myself wanting to know more or for clarification. But I guess that is the point of a book like this: it's meant to leave you wanting more.
February 19, 2020
This book was really good. It was really good because it told me a lot about certain women that I didn't know did these amazing things. It was about how these women changed the world by winning an award or achieving something unbelievable. For example, Babe was a really good athlete. She won so many awards in swimming, baseball, basketball, golf and a lot more. She entered into the Olympics and she won so many awards that she had to stick to one sport. So she stuck to golf and she won 17 straight amateur tournaments.
This book was pretty fun to read and very interesting. I liked it because golf is my favorite sport and I didn't think these women could achieve these things and it just amazes me. I also liked this book because it talked about Amelia Earhart and I admire her because what she attempted to do was so cool. I would recommend this book to someone who likes sports and airplanes. I really enjoyed this book and I hope whoever reads this book enjoys it as much as I did.
This book was pretty fun to read and very interesting. I liked it because golf is my favorite sport and I didn't think these women could achieve these things and it just amazes me. I also liked this book because it talked about Amelia Earhart and I admire her because what she attempted to do was so cool. I would recommend this book to someone who likes sports and airplanes. I really enjoyed this book and I hope whoever reads this book enjoys it as much as I did.
January 23, 2022
Love the diverse selection of women, and the poignant quotes. I knew the names of many of the women, but not many of the details of their lives. There were also women who I had not previously known anything about their stories, e.g., Quah Ah, Nawal El Sadaawi, Imogen Cunningham, Yoshiko Uchida. It was inspiring to read Chin's selection of some of their words, starting with Amelia Earhart "their failure must be a challenge to others" to Zora Neale Hurston "Why fear? ... The stuff of my being is matter, ever changing, ever moving, but never lost." The words and images complement each other well. I like how the write-ups for each woman is not overly glowing, and acknowledges where they may have met with challenges, criticism or resistance. The book includes activists, athletes, actresses, freedom fighters, artists, scientists etc.-- a well-researched and assembled set of mini-biographies for women who changed the world.
December 9, 2019
Twenty six women who've achieved varying degree of success in various fields from Dolores Huerta campaigning to eradicate poverty by improving farm-workers rights, to Nawal El Sadaawi an Egyptian medical doctor who was imprisoned for writing books which celebrated women's contributions to society in an era when that was deemed an offence. A page dedicated to each woman gives a brief overview of 26 different women, their lives, efforts and achievements.
A book that can act as an introduction to learners about the contributions of women around the world. If learners wanted to learn more they can then easily choose which women and undertake further research from there. As such a great introduction to these twenty six wonderous women.
Personally I really liked the artistic style of the book a form that is ageless and can capture the interest of children, teenagers and adults alike.
A book that can act as an introduction to learners about the contributions of women around the world. If learners wanted to learn more they can then easily choose which women and undertake further research from there. As such a great introduction to these twenty six wonderous women.
Personally I really liked the artistic style of the book a form that is ageless and can capture the interest of children, teenagers and adults alike.
March 23, 2018
This book includes short biographies on twenty-six women from many cultures and ethnicities who have done incredible things with their lives. I really like that their careers were so varied. It tells girls that they can be anything they want to be.
Each bio includes a quote from the person. They are very inspirational. It was written in 2005 and I think it would be great to see a new book with twenty-six more women who have done incredible things.
The challenge with this book is that it includes some women who are/were alive when it was written. This means that it can become out-of-date, but I think it would be worth updating and making sure it remain relevant.
Each bio includes a quote from the person. They are very inspirational. It was written in 2005 and I think it would be great to see a new book with twenty-six more women who have done incredible things.
The challenge with this book is that it includes some women who are/were alive when it was written. This means that it can become out-of-date, but I think it would be worth updating and making sure it remain relevant.
October 14, 2020
Biographies for younger readers are difficult in presentation since they can run the gamut from fascinating to info overload. Amelia to Zora presents twenty-six diverse biographies of both historical and contemporary women in a fascinating format of one page information set in colorful montage of the featured person.
Informative and captivating, this collection of biographies provides enough background on the highlighted woman to highlight important detail while initiating an interest towards further research.
Although aimed for middle readers, this captures the interest of older readers as well.
Informative and captivating, this collection of biographies provides enough background on the highlighted woman to highlight important detail while initiating an interest towards further research.
Although aimed for middle readers, this captures the interest of older readers as well.
June 2, 2022
Not sure you can still get this book in hardcover. It's a favorite in my family because I have many nephews and nieces. This is really good for my nieces and cousins because there aren't that many great biographies about women and this is a diverse, interesting set. I've even given it to my friends' daughters when they graduated from high school. As I'm a retired engineer, I liked the fact that the author included Grace Hopper, Rachel Carson, and women like that in addition to the traditional favorites like Oprah, Helen Keller, and Dolores Huerta.
November 21, 2017
Genre: Biographical Nonfiction
Grade Level: all ages
This ABC book of 26 women who changed the world is an awesome tool for the classroom. This could be used in so many ways. This book tells us a short biography for each letter of the alphabet. It is just enough information to inform readers of the ways the women changed the world, but it isn't too much information to overwhelm the reader. I recommend this book for all grade levels.
Grade Level: all ages
This ABC book of 26 women who changed the world is an awesome tool for the classroom. This could be used in so many ways. This book tells us a short biography for each letter of the alphabet. It is just enough information to inform readers of the ways the women changed the world, but it isn't too much information to overwhelm the reader. I recommend this book for all grade levels.
March 25, 2019
This book was not what I had expected, it beat all of my expectations! This book is great to say the least. It includes 26 biographies, one woman for each letter of the alphabet, explaining the title Amelia to Zora, A through Z. This book would be great for students researching specific women in history, or just women that changed our world in general. I think this could be very inspiring for young children, girls especially to have in their reading collection, as true role models!
August 16, 2017
The inspiring biographies, fantastical illustrations, and encouraging quotes really lift the spirit, making you feel like you, too, can change the world. A gorgeous and heartening read for children and adults alike.
May 7, 2019
A book about twenty-six women who changed the world. This book includes great details through each of these individual biographies. This book is a great example of ideas.
F&P: P
AR: 3.9
Six traits:
Ideas
F&P: P
AR: 3.9
Six traits:
Ideas
October 4, 2019
I ventured to read more group biographies after really enjoying Shaking Things Up. This one is fine. It's not my favorite simply due to my dislike for the illustrations. 🤷🏾♀️ Good thing there are quite a few books in this niche. There's a nice variety of people in this one.
November 21, 2019
I loved this book!! Each amazing women has an amazing illustration, a quote and a brief synopsis of her life. I love that the author chose to list each woman alphabetically by the first name - so often a woman’s last name only informs you of her father or husband’s story.
February 8, 2020
This a a great book to read with your daughter. There is one women per letter of the alphabet who is an influential person. Great diversity of women and their powerful stories. Many of these women I was familiar with but some were new.
March 15, 2021
While reading about these amazing woman in history, I've noticed that they have had to come through some difficulties in their lives. I think that is why they fought harder for their dreams, because during hard times dreams are the only comfort you have most of the times.
November 8, 2021
Nice book packed full of information. However, it was a bit too wordy for my third grader. Some of the words were a little challenging. We read this using the scholastic app, which has a knowledge test at the end. He got a 9/10.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews