Elizabeth Blackwell: Girl Doctor

by Joanne Landers Henry

Elizabeth Girl Doctor is the next installment in the Childhood of Famous Americans series.

The life story of Elizabeth Blackwell, one of the first woman doctors in the Unites States, who worked in England and America to open the field of medicine to women, is told in easy-to-read language.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, American History

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Though now a resident of Western New York, I was born in Indianapolis and grew up there. After graduating from the University of Rochester, I returned to Indianapolis and worked for the Bobbs-Merrill Company, publishers, later becoming its children's book editor. Though I have written six biographies for children, Indiana history became my favorite subject and the subject of two of my more recent titles—Log Cabin in the Woods and A Clearing in the Forest. I have two grown children, Katherine and David Henry.

Reviews

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5***

This is part of a series for middle-school readers about the “Childhood of Famous Americans.”

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to attend medical school in the United States and she went on to found the New York Infirmary for Women and Children and then a medical school for women (the latter endeavor having to wait until after the Civil War was over before it could open).

This fictionalized biography focuses on her childhood in England and the United States, the incidents that piqued her interest in healing, and her constant goal to become a doctor and practice medicine. She was a pioneer in the field of hygiene, insisting that hospitals and clinics be kept spotlessly clean, and thereby limiting infection.

The book is both entertaining and informative, and possibly inspiring for young girls who read it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read out loud with my 11, 8.5, and 6 year olds who were flabbergasted that women were not allowed to be doctors back then! Very simple style, could have been read independently by the 8.5 year old. But I enjoy answering questions and explaining things rather than they just plow through on their own without grasping the full picture.

[Nevada Libert · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS A GOOD BOOK and i love how she made it posiable for women to be doctors and here bravery and drtunmation to make the world eaqual.

[Therese Wiese · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hope.there is a middle school teacher looking at this, as I would really like their opinion on the book. I like to read YA, but rarely read juvenile.

I recently read Women in White Coats by Olivia Campbell and was fascinated by the story. I went looking for other books on the subject, and among what i found was Elizabeth Blackwell Girl Doctor. I was surprised that until pages 176 to 192 there was nothing particularly historic. I thought that if it was fiction, I would have thought it a charming period piece. I loved the scene with Dr Bob and the horse. But until that last two chapters, I really learned nothing about Blackwell.

Am I expecting too much from J books?

Fyi - I noticed other reviews referred to this book as Historical fiction. But my library has it coded J610.92 biography.

[Maya Geissinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade Level: 4th- 6th Genre: Historical Fiction
Learning about Elizabeth Blackwell was interesting, reading about how and why she became a doctor. Learning about the struggles she went through because of the time she lived in. It really shows students that you can been anything you want if you work really hard. Such a great book, especially if you research the time period.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

The childhood experiences of young Blackwell that encouraged her to follow the field of medicine and become the first medical doctor. She also opened the first clinic for women and children and also a school to train women doctors. Well written for middle grades and beautiful drawings.

[GheenGirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle: Great! Return to library.

[KerryT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 1961 hardcover edition. Well written with information in a story. Easy to read. Great for children.

[Camella Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a fast read, It was cool to learn about her, but it was not the most interesting.

[Trisah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this book. I think that in a way Elizabeth Blackwell's life was exciting. From her point of view of perspective, the author made it seem like her adventures were really interesting. I got to see her from the beginning of the book throughout the end, I can see that she became more independent and very mature. In the beginning of the book when she was a child she was still involved because she helped her sister's wounded ankle. She was a very creative child, using materials and other components to help her solve the problem. She had a very strong opinion about women not being able to be a doctor when she was younger. Then in the future she was a successful doctor. After her legacy she then retired and knew that over 7,000 women were practicing medicine. This is why I truly adore this book because she actually never gave up, she helped inspire many women out there. Even though she kept getting turned down by many medical schools, she finally achieved her dream.

[Anna J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth Blackwell: Girl Doctor by: Joanne Landers Henry is a "fictionalized biography," which tells the story of the first woman doctor. This particular book on Elizabeth Blackwell is interesting because it focuses on Blackwell’s growing up years and how they shaped her into becoming an advocate for herself and other women in the field of medicine. This book encourages students to follow their dreams by showing them a historical figure who did just that. This book is recommended for children eight and older.

[Mas5thgrade2013 · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I discovered that Elizabeth Blackwell was the first female docter, I was suprised that women couldn't be docters at that time. She was the first women to go to the men's docter college. I think that was great of her! Or else, there would still be man docters in 2000.

tigercatslove999

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book about Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female doctor in the United States. It focuses on her childhood and how that shaped her into the woman she became. My children and I enjoyed reading about her childhood and family. A fun read to learn more about an important woman in history.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It is so cool you can learn about people who did great things long ago!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Blackwell is my favorite historical woman! I read this book through a dozen times when I was a kid!

[Ms. · Rating 3 out of 5]

THis book is about Elizabeth blackwells childhood. All the thing that she went through to become the first girl in America to be a docter.
-Leanna c

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info, but I wish it was more about her adult life than childhood.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it !

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Liked it

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the book but it didn't give enough information and skipped half her life.