The intriguing story of Eleanor Roosevelt traces the life of the former First Lady from her early childhood through the tumultuous years in the Whi...
read full description
reviews
Mar 09, 2009
Gabriella
rated it: 
Do you consider heroes being people that save millions of lives and have super powers? Or, do you consider heroes people that brake world records or do supernatural things? One of my heroes was a first lady for 16 years, she was not amazingly beautiful but she was very brave and kindhearted... her name was Eleanor Roosevelt. Her biography caught my attention as soon as I set eyes on it and just by reading it I learned what a hero really is. Russell Freedman showed Eleanor as a hero through
More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 27, 2010
Linda
rated it: 
i didn't know much about eleanor roosevelt before this reading. i was impressed with the fact that although she was born into great wealth, she had a dark childhood. her father, whom she idolized, was an alcoholic (my gosh, have i read a memoir or biography this year that didn't have an alcoholic father in it?)and she always felt her plain, if not ugly looks made her a disappointment to her mother, a socialite beauty. she was a shy, frightened child, and i delighted in reading how she eventual
More...
Apr 20, 2009
Cindy
rated it:
SUMMARY
This is the story of Eleanor Roosevelt. She would have described herself as a plain, ordinary woman, but she was many things even if she was ordinary. She was a humanitarian above all else, and she was a political activist, and advocate of human rights. The story illustrates her childhood and family life with her grandmother after being orphaned, her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, her 16 years as First Lady, and her Good Works as a woman role model who wore many hats in the p More...
This is the story of Eleanor Roosevelt. She would have described herself as a plain, ordinary woman, but she was many things even if she was ordinary. She was a humanitarian above all else, and she was a political activist, and advocate of human rights. The story illustrates her childhood and family life with her grandmother after being orphaned, her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, her 16 years as First Lady, and her Good Works as a woman role model who wore many hats in the p More...
Nov 05, 2008
Carter
rated it: 
I knew Eleanor Roosevelt was amazing, but holy cow. I was totally inspired and amazed by what I read in this book. I even cried. Freedman's biography made me want to read more on this amazing woman. Too bad she didn't run for president, I would've voted for her.
Nov 15, 2011
Unit of Raine
rated it:
A general timeline and biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. Followed the similar path to the other biography I'd read, with many of the same photos.
I wonder if because her autobiography, columns, letters, etc are all published that few biographies have any additional or new information. It is mentioned that both she and Franklin were very careful and cognizant of their written legacy and thus, wrote accordingly. It is also mentioned that the majority of the people involved in their salacio More...
I wonder if because her autobiography, columns, letters, etc are all published that few biographies have any additional or new information. It is mentioned that both she and Franklin were very careful and cognizant of their written legacy and thus, wrote accordingly. It is also mentioned that the majority of the people involved in their salacio More...
Aug 04, 2010
Michele
rated it:
Before I began this book, I knew very little about Eleanor Roosevelt. I knew a lot of people picked quotes of her's for their yearbook blurbs, and she was the wife of a president, and that's about as far as it went. I'm embarrassed that I didn't learn about her before! I am constantly regretting that I didn't pay more attention and actually do more of the reading for my social studies classes growing up. Now I'm prepared to answer a Jeopardy category about Eleanor's life and humanitarian passion
More...
Aug 02, 2011
Holyn
rated it:
This is a simple, easy to read biography of an amazing and awe inspiring woman. I am speechless, really, at all that I learned about her life - and all that she has accomplished. So much of what we have today (women's rights, racial integration, care of the poor, minimum wages, the UN Declaration of Human Rights, etc, etc) is because of her work and influence.
What I take away from reading about her life is that no life is too small or insignificant to matter and that each of us shou More...
What I take away from reading about her life is that no life is too small or insignificant to matter and that each of us shou More...
Nov 29, 2010
Riley
rated it:
(BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY) This book does an amazing job of telling the story of a woman who accomplished many different things in her lifetime. It touches on topics such as equal rights, first ladies, human rights, the United Nations, women's studies and so much more. With each informational bit there are multiple stories and memories of Eleanor's life itself. It is great to read about opinions on a variety of things from a respectable women's political point of view.
Mar 07, 2010
Mona
rated it:
This was one of the first biographies I ever read and it was the first one that I actually enjoyed. I found out later that it won the Newbery Award. It's well-deserved. The author describes Roosevelt's life in detail, never shying away from sensitive topics like her father's alcoholism even though this is a book aimed at kids. I remember it also being interesting for its inclusion of social norms in the 1930s and 1940s, thereby putting Franklin and Eleanor's relationship into context. Great read
More...
Aug 08, 2010
Salvatore
rated it:
This book is aimed towards children but, although I have read a lot about this great woman's life, I still learned a thing or two from this. What I thought was unnecessary was the constant disparaging comments about her looks from the author, especially since this is written for kids. Her looks did not affect the kind of person she was, and kids need to understand that, and understand that looks are only important to the shallow anyway.
Jan 05, 2011
Nicole
rated it: 
Perhaps I would rate it higher had I not read it for summer reading going into 7th grade. But biographies have never been something I enjoyed reading and being forced to read a certain one during the summer while at the beach just kind of sealed the deal. Perhaps more credit is due and if so, sorry for my skewed perspective.
Nov 24, 2009
Marilyn
rated it:
I have always been a history buff, I learned to truly admire this great lady and the struggles she went through. I did not know that Mr. Roosevelt had an affair, I did not they were 5th cousins. What a fabulous example she is for women of any age. What courage it takes for her to break from tradition and be herself.
Nov 14, 2009
Raeesa
rated it:
Eleanor Roosevelt was such an amazing person!! She did so much good work, was always traveling, and was a great help to her husband. (Although their marriage was really sad.)I love the way this book is written too. It's not complicated or boring, but has lots of quotes and pictures.
Sep 17, 2011
Kammie
rated it:
I learned a lot about her life as well as some history. I felt sad that she was betrayed by her husband. I did like that she accomplished so much for human rights and women's suffrage. Freedman writes in an informative yet easy to read style.
Feb 14, 2011
Heidi
rated it:
Russell Freedman has done it again with his historic photos and engaging style. I now know Eleanor like never before. But the book was limited by its length (at the Newbery level, books must be limited by length)and left many questions unanswered.
Mar 18, 2011
Cindy
rated it:
Everyone in book club read a different bio about Eleanor Roosevelt. I can't remember which one Zi read, I just know that it had lots of photos and was very interesting.
Apr 26, 2010
Kristina
rated it:
A great overview of Eleanor Roosevelt's life. It was thorough wihtout being too detailed. I enjoyed it. The photographs told a story in and of themselves.
Sep 25, 2009
I love reading about Eleanor Roosevelt. She's totally amazing, and I love her spirit. This is an easy read and highlights many of her feats. I enjoyed it.
Sep 11, 2009
Callie
rated it:
I sound like a little kid, but I loved all the pictures! She was a strong woman when life was hard, and spent a lot of her time serving others.
Mar 10, 2011
Sara
rated it:
She had such an interesting, sad life. What a great lady. I have always been a fan and I really enjoyed learning more about her.
Dec 10, 2010
Eric
rated it:
Not a bad read. I gained some insight on the role Eleanor played in the human rights movement, something I previously did not know.
Nov 13, 2011
Ms. B
rated it:
A thorough, well-researched photobiography about Eleanor by one of the best biographers today - Russell Freedman.
Sep 12, 2009
Ro
rated it:
A short introduction to the life of this amazing woman. A wonderful book for children and novice readers.
Jun 25, 2010
Snorkle
rated it:
This was an educational book that wasn't boring or tediously laden with facts. I was interested in seeing how Eleanor Roosevelt conducted her life and this book offered a broad outlook on her experiences and personality. I liked the fusion of photographs throughout the book. I also liked how the book did not focus on her relationship as a First Lady, but on what she believed was right and how she strived to live her life.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010/05... More...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010/05... More...
Jul 22, 2008
Amy
rated it:
I just reread this book and it is such a powerful story of an amazing woman. I love her story because of the personal challenges she overcomes and the fears she is able to conquer in order to participate in causes that she feels so passionate about. For any individual who has ever felt overwhelmed by their personal weaknesses or circumstances, this is an amazing story of moving beyond perceived limitations and truly becoming anybody you want to be. She is a remarkable woman and a true role model
More...
Apr 05, 2010
Christina
rated it:
What an inspiring woman. I really knew very little about her before I read this book. It is relatively short and easy to read. It does seem a little one-sided.
Eleanor Roosevelt is a beautiful example of someone who had a difficult childhood but went on to become a courageous and influential woman. I had no idea how involved she was in the political world - even after her time as first lady. She stood up for civil rights years before the term 'civil rights' even took on meaning.
Eleanor Roosevelt is a beautiful example of someone who had a difficult childhood but went on to become a courageous and influential woman. I had no idea how involved she was in the political world - even after her time as first lady. She stood up for civil rights years before the term 'civil rights' even took on meaning.
