Module 12: Biography and Autobiography

Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life by Candace Fleming

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

Summary

Using pictures, letters, newspaper articles and more, Fleming has created a great biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. The author's approach of using visual elements presents a new perspective of Roosevelt's life. This biography provides a wealth of information about Eleanor's entire life and the many people she knew and causes that she was involved in. Fleming discusses many aspects of Eleanor Roosevelt's life such as her children, her relationship with her father, the many speculations about her sexuality, her dress sense and her political savvy. Although Fleming talks about the many things that make Eleanor Roosevelt such a popular figure in American history, she does not shy away from discussing the more negative parts of Eleanor's life. She includes the criticism that Eleanor faced for many of her actions and makes sure to give the reader a balanced perspective of who Eleanor truly was.

My Thoughts

Fleming does an excellent job bringing the reader into Eleanor Roosevelt's life and keeping them fascinated with her growth and achievements throughout life. The many pictures and letters contribute greatly to the in depth look at Roosevelt's life and gives the reader a personal understanding of who Eleanor Roosevelt was. I felt that Fleming covered the entirety of Eleanor's life and her doings in a thorough and honest way. Our Eleanor would be a good book to use in encouraging young adults to read biographies or showing them that biographies come in many different formats and can be very interesting. It could also be used in a program about strong female figures who have made contributions to our society because Eleanor Roosevelt was so active in causes like civil rights and humanitarian efforts. This would provide excellent material in both the areas of research or personal interest for middle or high school students.

Review

An intimate biography of an unhappy child who grew up to become an American icon. Chock-full of details and enhanced with news clips, quotations, photos, and more, this is an up-close-and-personal look at a private woman who was truly a citizen of the world. School Library Journal, 2006.

This scrapbook biography employs oral history transcripts, books, and photographs. Eleanor’s vital role in American history is chronicled in this biography that captures her vulnerability and her humanity. With chapters in loose chronological order, chapter titles indicate phases of Eleanor’s life. Some chapters focus on specific time periods, while others focus on themes in her life. Photos of Eleanor and her family, as well as a report card, letters, and diary entries provide insight and perspective into the person who was Eleanor Roosevelt. Her life was not an easy one and relationships with people closest to her were often strained and difficult. Quotes from her children express their discomfort and disappointment in her mothering. Eleanor’s quotes throughout reflect her broader view of the world. Her works continued beyond her First Lady status, and one gains renewed respect for this woman who did so much for so many. The extensive source notes aren’t easy to use and may frustrate student researchers. However, any reader interested in Eleanor Roosevelt will find the citations provide fascinating nuggets of information. Entertaining and enlightening reading, this book is for junior and senior high students, and adults who want to know more about this amazingly human individual. Bibliography. Index. Recommended. Hoff, V. Library Media Connection, 2006.