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First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low
Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts in 2012, a lavishly illustrated account of the fascinating life of the woman who started it all. Juliette (Daisy) Gordon Low was a remarkable woman with ideas that were ahead of her time. She witnessed important eras in U.S. history, from the Civil War and Reconstruction to westward expansion to post–World War I. And she made history by founding the first national organization to bring girls from all backgrounds into the out-of-doors. Daisy created controversy by encouraging them to prepare not only for traditional homemaking but also for roles as professional women—in the arts, sciences, and business—and for active citizenship outside the home. Her group also welcomed girls with disabilities at a time when they were usually excluded. Includes author’s note, source notes, bibliography, timeline, places to visit, the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and musical notation for the favorite scout Song “Make New Friends.”
224 pages, Hardcover
First published December 6, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 26, 2011
Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low's life is a wonderful example of how you can find your passion late in life and still make a big difference in the world. She was a very talented and energetic lady, but she frittered away her early years with dilettantism and made a bad marriage that left her widowed but wealthy. It wasn't until she was over fifty that she was inspired by Sir Robert Baden-Powell to bring the Girl Guides program (later renamed Girl Scouts) to the United States. Once she'd finally found her life's purpose, she became a different woman. She was focused and unstoppable, even while battling the cancer that eventually took her life.
This book covers Juliette Gordon Low's entire life. It's full of interesting history, but the first half has almost nothing about Girl Scouts. That's not a criticism of the book, it's just the way Daisy's life unfolded. I do think I would have wanted to know that ahead of time if I'd been handed the book as a youngster. I would have grown impatient wondering when it was going to get to the part about Girl Scouts. Even as an adult I was eager to get to that part, and I enjoyed the second half more than the first.
Ginger Wadsworth has written several other books for young people, and she's also had a lifelong passion for the Girl Scout program. She's done a wonderful job with this biography. It's a must-read for anyone with a fondness for the Girl Scout organization, past and present. It's fun to compare your own experiences with those of the early Girl Scouts with regard to badges earned, service projects, and the uniforms they wore. The book has a lot of photos and copies of documents and advertisements to give you a real feeling for the era.
Juliette Gordon Low was a spirited and liberated woman way ahead of her time who set out to inspire and liberate women for generations to come. She wasn't able to have children of her own, but all of us whose lives were shaped by Girl Scouting are her girls. She really did change the world.
This book covers Juliette Gordon Low's entire life. It's full of interesting history, but the first half has almost nothing about Girl Scouts. That's not a criticism of the book, it's just the way Daisy's life unfolded. I do think I would have wanted to know that ahead of time if I'd been handed the book as a youngster. I would have grown impatient wondering when it was going to get to the part about Girl Scouts. Even as an adult I was eager to get to that part, and I enjoyed the second half more than the first.
Ginger Wadsworth has written several other books for young people, and she's also had a lifelong passion for the Girl Scout program. She's done a wonderful job with this biography. It's a must-read for anyone with a fondness for the Girl Scout organization, past and present. It's fun to compare your own experiences with those of the early Girl Scouts with regard to badges earned, service projects, and the uniforms they wore. The book has a lot of photos and copies of documents and advertisements to give you a real feeling for the era.
Juliette Gordon Low was a spirited and liberated woman way ahead of her time who set out to inspire and liberate women for generations to come. She wasn't able to have children of her own, but all of us whose lives were shaped by Girl Scouting are her girls. She really did change the world.
July 30, 2021
This is a great book for those who want to know more about "Daisy" Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts in the USA.
This gives a good look at the entire life of Daisy, which really helps understand how Girl Scouts got started when it did, and how the organization has always had a fairly liberal, inclusive, and feminist bend. You can also see how the program has always served girls who did not come from privileged families, and where some of our modern day traditions come from (snack, which is written into all of our district's lesson plans, likely stems from both Daisy's British tea influence and the fact that she her first patrols included poorer members).
As a volunteer and leader new to Girl Scouting, this gave me some good context to the program.
This gives a good look at the entire life of Daisy, which really helps understand how Girl Scouts got started when it did, and how the organization has always had a fairly liberal, inclusive, and feminist bend. You can also see how the program has always served girls who did not come from privileged families, and where some of our modern day traditions come from (snack, which is written into all of our district's lesson plans, likely stems from both Daisy's British tea influence and the fact that she her first patrols included poorer members).
As a volunteer and leader new to Girl Scouting, this gave me some good context to the program.
April 9, 2012
Born into a well-to-do, influential family, Juliette(Daisy)Gordon received her formal education in a New York boarding school, but she also spent much of her free time outdoors, climbing trees, canoeing, swimming, and hiking. She was close to her family, and often put on plays and painted. Since her mother was born in the North and her father fought for the Confederates during the Civil War, Daisy encountered different perspectives on the issues of the time. After her marriage to a wealthy British man who was friends with the future King of England, Daisy became a socialite and spent much of her time at parties and social gatherings. When her marriage began to fail, she realized that she wanted to do more with her life. Inspired by the Boy Scouts of Robert Baden-Powell and the Girl Guides, Daisy decided to start an organization designed to provide leadership opportunities for girls from various backgrounds. Not only did the girls engage in outdoor activities, but they also prepared for roles as professionals. Daisy herself became deaf as the result of illness, and she made sure to include girls with disabilities in the club she started 100 years ago. The author brings this intriguing woman to life, describing her love for animals, her talents and personality and including some of her dark moments as well as her character flaws; for instance, her difficulty in managing her own money properly and her proclivity for arriving late. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the text, examining the photographs, and pondering the path and personality that prompted a woman in her fifties to embark on this particular endeavor. Considering the times and social expectation for girls and women, Daisy was clearly a pioneer. Apparently, the organization to which she gave so much of her time and money had relevance and staying power since this year marks its 100th anniversary. Filled with family anecdotes, the book's seventeen chapters provide insight into the personality and upbringing of one woman framed alongside interesting periods of history.
January 7, 2012
An interesting biography of the founder of the Girl Scouts in the U.S.
The book is filled with photos, songs and music. letters and diary entries which make it an engaging read. However, I think it may have a limited audience as those not interested in Scouts might be loathe to pick this one up without strong encouragement. Suggested for the whole age range and especially those looking for a good read about a feisty (if disorganized) go-getter. Suggested for grades 5 - 8.
The book is filled with photos, songs and music. letters and diary entries which make it an engaging read. However, I think it may have a limited audience as those not interested in Scouts might be loathe to pick this one up without strong encouragement. Suggested for the whole age range and especially those looking for a good read about a feisty (if disorganized) go-getter. Suggested for grades 5 - 8.
April 10, 2017
I loved this biography on the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. As a former Girl Scout, it was fascinating to read about "Daisy" and what influenced her to create the Girl Scouts. Even more interesting was the deep look into her exciting, yet complicated, life. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a great biography to read!
February 18, 2025
My library has this in the children's section; it's a substantial (and well-illustrated) book that folds in many US and European history lessons, and could just as easily be in a middle school or high school library. Of course, I'm always here to advocate that adults read bios aimed at young people when they aren't up for a Chernow-length tome.
Wadsworth follows Daisy's life in chronological order, starting by briefly sketching in her parent's lives. I'm not sure I'd read so much about Daisy's childhood before: I liked learning about how much they played outside in the summer at the house in the county and about the boarding schools. While addressing the Gordon's participation in the Confederacy she does not depict the extend to which the Gordons must have relied on enslaved labor. Even in the late 19th century, mother Gordon is described as preparing meals and parties when surely she relied on staff. Wadsworth does not flinch from telling about Daisy's failed marriage, and says more about the cancer that took her life in the 1920s than I expected.
I did some research in Juliette Low and early Girl Scout history off and on for years; there were things I'd forgotten and new things in this enjoyable biography. 3.5 stars
Wadsworth follows Daisy's life in chronological order, starting by briefly sketching in her parent's lives. I'm not sure I'd read so much about Daisy's childhood before: I liked learning about how much they played outside in the summer at the house in the county and about the boarding schools. While addressing the Gordon's participation in the Confederacy she does not depict the extend to which the Gordons must have relied on enslaved labor. Even in the late 19th century, mother Gordon is described as preparing meals and parties when surely she relied on staff. Wadsworth does not flinch from telling about Daisy's failed marriage, and says more about the cancer that took her life in the 1920s than I expected.
I did some research in Juliette Low and early Girl Scout history off and on for years; there were things I'd forgotten and new things in this enjoyable biography. 3.5 stars
March 11, 2012
Juliette Gordon Low, known as Daisy, was a feisty and progressive woman who
came from a high society family in Savannah, Georgia and was the founder of the Girl Scouts in 1912. Wadsworth’s First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low not only celebrates the
the 100th birthday of Girls Scouts in the United States, but chronicles the life of a great, well educated and fearless woman who lived through the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War I. Low did have a few issues such as deafness in one ear and a severe impairment in her other ear, lack of organization, time management and financial skills, and her bad spelling and driving skills were known by all who were close to her, but she never let any of these hold her back. After ending her marriage to a wealthy British man, William Mackay Low, who died shortly after, she longed for a purpose in her life. While still living in Britain she met Sir Robert Baden-Powell who was the founder of the Boy Scouts and his sister who began the Girl Guides. Low began several patrols in Britain, but brought the concept to America in 1912. She not only taught the girls domestic skills such as serving tea and spinning wool on a spinning wheel, but also skills that the Boy Scouts learned such as map reading and signaling with flags. She also made sure they were introduced to career ideas and learned skills from her childhood such as hiking, swimming, first aid, and personal hygiene. The uniqueness of the organization was that all girls were welcome no matter their race or disability. Upon her death, she was buried in her Girl Scout uniform as she had requested near her parents and her sister Alice. At the time of her death, Girl Scouts numbered about 168,000 in the United States. Wadsworth has done brilliant job telling the life story of Low through a well written prose with pictures, quotes and interesting anecdotes intertwined. In her author’s note, she shares her experience as a Girl Scout and how she and her troop members still stay in touch and hold reunions.
came from a high society family in Savannah, Georgia and was the founder of the Girl Scouts in 1912. Wadsworth’s First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low not only celebrates the
the 100th birthday of Girls Scouts in the United States, but chronicles the life of a great, well educated and fearless woman who lived through the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War I. Low did have a few issues such as deafness in one ear and a severe impairment in her other ear, lack of organization, time management and financial skills, and her bad spelling and driving skills were known by all who were close to her, but she never let any of these hold her back. After ending her marriage to a wealthy British man, William Mackay Low, who died shortly after, she longed for a purpose in her life. While still living in Britain she met Sir Robert Baden-Powell who was the founder of the Boy Scouts and his sister who began the Girl Guides. Low began several patrols in Britain, but brought the concept to America in 1912. She not only taught the girls domestic skills such as serving tea and spinning wool on a spinning wheel, but also skills that the Boy Scouts learned such as map reading and signaling with flags. She also made sure they were introduced to career ideas and learned skills from her childhood such as hiking, swimming, first aid, and personal hygiene. The uniqueness of the organization was that all girls were welcome no matter their race or disability. Upon her death, she was buried in her Girl Scout uniform as she had requested near her parents and her sister Alice. At the time of her death, Girl Scouts numbered about 168,000 in the United States. Wadsworth has done brilliant job telling the life story of Low through a well written prose with pictures, quotes and interesting anecdotes intertwined. In her author’s note, she shares her experience as a Girl Scout and how she and her troop members still stay in touch and hold reunions.
August 14, 2017
This was an engaging portrait of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low. As a new Girl Scout leader, I read the book to have a better understanding of our founder. I was pleasantly surprised to find Daisy was a fascinating and complicated woman who lead an amazing life.
August 4, 2017
As a Gold Award recipient I was proud to learn more about the organization's past.
June 28, 2018
Easy read and interesting to read the story behind Girl Scouts.
July 7, 2018
Great stories about traditions and history
New tidbits for thinking day!
New tidbits for thinking day!
December 16, 2015
I have read other biographies of Juliette (Daisy) Gordon Low, so all I was hoping from this book was a few new pieces of information. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of new insight I gained about one of my greatest heroes, Daisy Low.
The book gives a summary of her ancestry, childhood, and early life, then delves more specifically into her work founding the Girl Scouts of America. I enjoyed details such as when the first troops for girls with disabilities, and troops for African American, Native American, and Mexican American girls were initially founded, the beginning of Girl Scout Cookie sales, the creation of World Thinking Day, Founder's Day, the creation of the first Girl Scout camps, and the creation of the Brownies. There were great details about Girl Scout service, particularly about how Girl Scouts volunteered during WWII and how after women got the right to vote, Girl Scouts were encouraged to babysit for women so they could have time to go and cast their votes. There are great historical photographs, including one of Babe Ruth advertising the Girl Scout cookie sale. I enjoyed learning about the tradition starting with Edith Wilson in 1917, that every American First Lady has served as honorary president of the Girl Scouts.
As a troop leader, one of the most inspiring accounts was of Daisy's work with her first troop of Girl Guides in Scotland. (Daisy founded two troops of Girl Guides before returning to American and founding the Girl Scouts.) In rural Scotland, most of the girls were destined to work as child laborers in factories. Daisy wanted to give them more options for their future, so she learned how to spin wool and then taught the skill to the girls. She found a farmer to teach the girls how to raise healthy chickens. She helped the girls find avenues for selling wool, eggs, and chickens, thus securing careers for them. This inspires me as a troop leader to meet the specific needs of the girls in my troop and find the resources needed to do so.
Often on Girl Scout forums and in comments on Girl Scout-related articles, I read people lamenting how the Girl Scouts organization has changed. But Daisy Low knew and understood the need for the organization to change and stay responsive to the needs of each generation of girls. She revised the handbook several times in her own lifetime. She also remarked that before she died, she knew others would add their own ideas and the organization would shift and change in front of her own eyes.
And as much as Girl Scouting has changed, it has also stayed the same. When you read the original Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law, as well as the accounts of the troop meetings, field trips, and experiences, the core values of Girl Scouts have not changed at all.
My favorite quote from the book:
"Daisy explained that as Girl Guides, the girls would learn self-reliance and skills that would help them be successful adults both during their careers and at home as parents. In addition to honing their domestic abilities, the activities would expose girls to other useful knowledge, such as first aid. And they would encourage the girls to be physically fit.
In 1912, many women of Daisy's social status lived a restricted life. Daisy intended to break down those walls of tradition. She wanted the upcoming generations of girls to grow with the changing world - where some women were getting involved in local and national elections, going to college, and even seeking careers outside the home. Daisy believed that they could and should do anything they wished!" (Wadsworth, 115).
I think Daisy Low would approve of the fact that our current Girl Scout manuals include badges for First Aid, camping, physical fitness, babysitting, cooking, business management, philanthropy, and inventing. No, the core values of Girl Scouting haven't changed at all.
I've read a lot of quotes from Daisy Low, but here is a new one to add to my collection of favorites:
"To put yourself in another's place requires real imagination, but by so doing each Girl Scout will be able to live among others happily."
This speaks to the effort of inclusion and the appreciation of diversity in the Girl Scout movement.
And finally, in addition to learning about herself and others, earning badges, and serving the community, Juliette Gordon Low wanted Girl Scouts to have FUN. This book did a great job of imparting how much fun Daisy Low was as a person and how much fun she had getting to know Girl Scouts, sharing ghost stories around a campfire, playing basketball, tromping through the woods, canoeing, swimming, fishing, singing, and most importantly, having tea parties. Daisy Low loved a good tea party and so does my troop of Girl Scouts!
The book gives a summary of her ancestry, childhood, and early life, then delves more specifically into her work founding the Girl Scouts of America. I enjoyed details such as when the first troops for girls with disabilities, and troops for African American, Native American, and Mexican American girls were initially founded, the beginning of Girl Scout Cookie sales, the creation of World Thinking Day, Founder's Day, the creation of the first Girl Scout camps, and the creation of the Brownies. There were great details about Girl Scout service, particularly about how Girl Scouts volunteered during WWII and how after women got the right to vote, Girl Scouts were encouraged to babysit for women so they could have time to go and cast their votes. There are great historical photographs, including one of Babe Ruth advertising the Girl Scout cookie sale. I enjoyed learning about the tradition starting with Edith Wilson in 1917, that every American First Lady has served as honorary president of the Girl Scouts.
As a troop leader, one of the most inspiring accounts was of Daisy's work with her first troop of Girl Guides in Scotland. (Daisy founded two troops of Girl Guides before returning to American and founding the Girl Scouts.) In rural Scotland, most of the girls were destined to work as child laborers in factories. Daisy wanted to give them more options for their future, so she learned how to spin wool and then taught the skill to the girls. She found a farmer to teach the girls how to raise healthy chickens. She helped the girls find avenues for selling wool, eggs, and chickens, thus securing careers for them. This inspires me as a troop leader to meet the specific needs of the girls in my troop and find the resources needed to do so.
Often on Girl Scout forums and in comments on Girl Scout-related articles, I read people lamenting how the Girl Scouts organization has changed. But Daisy Low knew and understood the need for the organization to change and stay responsive to the needs of each generation of girls. She revised the handbook several times in her own lifetime. She also remarked that before she died, she knew others would add their own ideas and the organization would shift and change in front of her own eyes.
And as much as Girl Scouting has changed, it has also stayed the same. When you read the original Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law, as well as the accounts of the troop meetings, field trips, and experiences, the core values of Girl Scouts have not changed at all.
My favorite quote from the book:
"Daisy explained that as Girl Guides, the girls would learn self-reliance and skills that would help them be successful adults both during their careers and at home as parents. In addition to honing their domestic abilities, the activities would expose girls to other useful knowledge, such as first aid. And they would encourage the girls to be physically fit.
In 1912, many women of Daisy's social status lived a restricted life. Daisy intended to break down those walls of tradition. She wanted the upcoming generations of girls to grow with the changing world - where some women were getting involved in local and national elections, going to college, and even seeking careers outside the home. Daisy believed that they could and should do anything they wished!" (Wadsworth, 115).
I think Daisy Low would approve of the fact that our current Girl Scout manuals include badges for First Aid, camping, physical fitness, babysitting, cooking, business management, philanthropy, and inventing. No, the core values of Girl Scouting haven't changed at all.
I've read a lot of quotes from Daisy Low, but here is a new one to add to my collection of favorites:
"To put yourself in another's place requires real imagination, but by so doing each Girl Scout will be able to live among others happily."
This speaks to the effort of inclusion and the appreciation of diversity in the Girl Scout movement.
And finally, in addition to learning about herself and others, earning badges, and serving the community, Juliette Gordon Low wanted Girl Scouts to have FUN. This book did a great job of imparting how much fun Daisy Low was as a person and how much fun she had getting to know Girl Scouts, sharing ghost stories around a campfire, playing basketball, tromping through the woods, canoeing, swimming, fishing, singing, and most importantly, having tea parties. Daisy Low loved a good tea party and so does my troop of Girl Scouts!
April 16, 2012
What a beautiful book about an amazing woman. I became WAY more engrossed in this book about the founder of Girl Scouts than I thought I would. Juliette Gordon Low (Daisy) defies, in my opinion, all the stereotypes of ultra privileged women at the turn of the century. She grew up in mansions, entertaining royalty and presidents, yet she had spunk and loved to get her hands dirty. My favorite quotes from the book:
"Many people felt that hiking and rigorous sports such as basketball were too strenuous and would make girls less ladylike. Daisy, who had been raised to be an independent woman, disagreed. She believed in fostering active, healthy, and strong-minded girls who would eventually make their own life choices about marriage, having children, and even careers."
and, in Daisy's own words, "Girls will do no good by trying to imitate boys. It is better to be a real girl such as no boy can be. . . . Scouting for girls is not the same kind of scouting as for boys. The chief difference is the courses of instruction. . . . For the girls it all tends to WOMANLINESS and enables girls the better to help in the great battle of life."
I was a girl scout for just a few years of my childhood, but learning about the program was fascinating and inspiring. I heartily agree with the importance of teaching girls outdoor skills, love of animals, first aid, child care, and career skills. This book made me want to go out and LEARN and DO!
"Many people felt that hiking and rigorous sports such as basketball were too strenuous and would make girls less ladylike. Daisy, who had been raised to be an independent woman, disagreed. She believed in fostering active, healthy, and strong-minded girls who would eventually make their own life choices about marriage, having children, and even careers."
and, in Daisy's own words, "Girls will do no good by trying to imitate boys. It is better to be a real girl such as no boy can be. . . . Scouting for girls is not the same kind of scouting as for boys. The chief difference is the courses of instruction. . . . For the girls it all tends to WOMANLINESS and enables girls the better to help in the great battle of life."
I was a girl scout for just a few years of my childhood, but learning about the program was fascinating and inspiring. I heartily agree with the importance of teaching girls outdoor skills, love of animals, first aid, child care, and career skills. This book made me want to go out and LEARN and DO!
December 5, 2014
Wadsworth, G. (2012). First girl scout: The life of Juliette Gordon Low. New York: Clarion Books.
The Amelia Bloomer Book List
Informational
This book combined historical texts and illustrations that documented the life of Juliette Gordon Low, or Daisy, as she made history in establishing an organization for girls around the world to join to become not only more independent individuals, but to expose them to life outside of what was considered the norm for that time. I saw this book and was surprised it took so long for this story to be widely recognized. As a girl scout alumnus, I found this book interesting and thought that it was widely approachable from a young reader’s mind. I think this book would be a great addition to a classroom library. I would not go as far as to use this book in whole group, unless there was a book about boy scouts that I could use as well. However, if the girls in the classroom were interested or were already Girl Scouts, this would be a great book to get them to understand the background of their organization and to have more respect and understanding. I thought that this book did a fantastic job at having accurate historical information and accounts of everything that was going on during that time period and it also used authentic photographs that truly established the time period the Girl Scouts were founded.
March 9, 2012
As a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts of the USA and First Class Girl Scout, I'm fascinated by all things Juliette Gordon Low. This new book explores her life in great depth, written by a woman who still gets together with members from her childhood Scout troop.
"Daisy" grew up climing trees, swimming in rivers, and hiking over mountains. She attended boarding schools in Virginia and NYC, and knew she was more fortunate than most girls. Never having children of her own, she reached out to her neices and nephews with merriment and humor, creating picnics and parties for all. Her unhappy marriage left her, at one point, nearly destitute. After finally agreeing to divorce her husband (his request; he had a scandalous relationship with a married British woman) her husband died before the decree was granted. In a long court battle with the mistress, Daisy found herself a wealthy woman.
"Daisy" grew up climing trees, swimming in rivers, and hiking over mountains. She attended boarding schools in Virginia and NYC, and knew she was more fortunate than most girls. Never having children of her own, she reached out to her neices and nephews with merriment and humor, creating picnics and parties for all. Her unhappy marriage left her, at one point, nearly destitute. After finally agreeing to divorce her husband (his request; he had a scandalous relationship with a married British woman) her husband died before the decree was granted. In a long court battle with the mistress, Daisy found herself a wealthy woman.
March 3, 2012
Wadsworth has written a biography that is as exciting as the life of her subject - Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts in the U.S. The book design is amazing - Clarion Books holds the high standard that other children/tween history and biography books should follow, with expansive pages in a good-sized typeface, lots of illustrative materials including plenty of photos, page decorations, and backmatter including source notes, index, timeline, and substantial bibliography. JGL, or Daisy as she was called by family and friends, lived a life of priviledge but understood the importance of giving to one's community. Part of her married life reads like something from "Downton Abbey." A wonderful book.
Want to read
June 22, 2012Review by: Susan Overton
Biographical Reference
The First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low
Wadsworth, G. (2012). The first girl scout: The life of juliette gordon low. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
Call Number: JB Low
Price: $17.99
Relevance and Relationship: This book is a biography of a woman who was the first Girl Scout
Purpose: This book provides students with an excellent role model who established a goal and made the goal a reality.
Format: This book is in print.
Arrangement and Presentation: The book is arranged in chapters that follow a timeline of Low’s life.
Diversity: This book will give the students an excellent role model of a woman who went above and beyond for her passion.
Biographical Reference
The First Girl Scout: The Life of Juliette Gordon Low
Wadsworth, G. (2012). The first girl scout: The life of juliette gordon low. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
Call Number: JB Low
Price: $17.99
Relevance and Relationship: This book is a biography of a woman who was the first Girl Scout
Purpose: This book provides students with an excellent role model who established a goal and made the goal a reality.
Format: This book is in print.
Arrangement and Presentation: The book is arranged in chapters that follow a timeline of Low’s life.
Diversity: This book will give the students an excellent role model of a woman who went above and beyond for her passion.
November 14, 2011
First Girl Scout tells the entire life story of Juliette Gordon Low. It is a very visually pleasing book with lots of photos, nice layout, and eye catching cover. Each chapter's title is shown as a Scout badge.
This title is being advertised for ages 9 and up but I would not give this book to a child so young as we do learn about Juliette's husband having a mistress. I think because of that incident being included, the book should be reserved for middle school students and older. Although written for youth, adults will find this nearly 200 page book an enjoyable read to learn about the founder of Girl Scouts in the USA.
This title is being advertised for ages 9 and up but I would not give this book to a child so young as we do learn about Juliette's husband having a mistress. I think because of that incident being included, the book should be reserved for middle school students and older. Although written for youth, adults will find this nearly 200 page book an enjoyable read to learn about the founder of Girl Scouts in the USA.
August 4, 2012
This biography about Juliette Gordon Low (1860-1927), founder of the Girl Scouts in the United States, is best for older students. Scout leaders may also enjoy reading parts of it (especially parts about Juliette's childhood) to their younger troop members.
Juliette Gordon Low was quite the woman. She was the opposite ends of the spectrum. Knew how to be thrifty and go without, yet at the same time host lavish dinner parties for kings and presidents. Lost most of her hearing by 30 and remained as outgoing as she always had been.
Juliette Gordon Low was quite the woman. She was the opposite ends of the spectrum. Knew how to be thrifty and go without, yet at the same time host lavish dinner parties for kings and presidents. Lost most of her hearing by 30 and remained as outgoing as she always had been.
August 6, 2013
I'm a little mixed on this one. The design was flawless-- very engaging, and thematic without distracting the reader. The book is very well-researched, and the photographs really add to the content. However, I thought the narrative rambled a little it, and there was far too much of the pre-Juliette years of her parents' lives. Additionally, the book didn't really delve into the class issue as much as I would've liked-- it is very clear that the only way Juliette was able to accomplish so much was because of her wealth and connections, yet the book only scratches the surface of that issue.
November 12, 2013
Heavily researched, solid book about the life of Juliette Gordon Low. Has lots of quotes and photographs on nearly every page. Gives a detailed portrait of her parents first, with brief explanation of Civil War as backdrop to her early childhood; this might put off some younger readers who want to get "right to the story" of Juliette, but it lays a nice groundwork. Well written, not especially lyrical but matter-of-fact and has an affectionate tone. I learned a ton about her from this book, and I had been a Girl Scout for many years!
December 9, 2014
Biography
This book is written about the founder of the infamous Girl Scouts society we have here in America. With the rise of feminism she felt the need to encourage young ladies to take over their lives and make a name for their selves. She encouraged these girls to not only to excel in home making but to also be main players in the professional world. The explanation of how the organization begun sets close to home because many Americans have either joined or have family members that have making it a lot easier for the reader to connect.
This book is written about the founder of the infamous Girl Scouts society we have here in America. With the rise of feminism she felt the need to encourage young ladies to take over their lives and make a name for their selves. She encouraged these girls to not only to excel in home making but to also be main players in the professional world. The explanation of how the organization begun sets close to home because many Americans have either joined or have family members that have making it a lot easier for the reader to connect.
December 27, 2012
I don't think I learned anything NEW from this book (I've read a lot of Juliette Low material before), but it is well-written and interesting to read. It's also physically a lovely book -- a square hardcover, 8 or 9 inches wide, with plenty of pictures. I suspect it's meant to mimic a Girl Scout handbook. There are pictures I hadn't seen before included, as well as historical photos not necessarily specific to the Gordons/Lows, but still interesting.
October 24, 2015
I am not a girl scout, but I am a fan of their cookies.
This is a terrific biography of a woman who lived through important historic events and went on to make a lasting difference in the lives of many young women.
There are many photos of people and places to add interest to an already exciting life. Perfect amount of detail for a middle/high school aged audience, but I would love to read an adult version of this book that focused more on Low's life abroad and travels.
This is a terrific biography of a woman who lived through important historic events and went on to make a lasting difference in the lives of many young women.
There are many photos of people and places to add interest to an already exciting life. Perfect amount of detail for a middle/high school aged audience, but I would love to read an adult version of this book that focused more on Low's life abroad and travels.
November 25, 2012
This is the problem with reading biographies of people that you admire: you might learn something about them that disappoints you. By no fault of the author, this biography was disappointing because I learned things about Juliette Gordon Low that I wish I didn't know. Bummer.
Full review forthcoming on www.slatebreakers.com.
Full review forthcoming on www.slatebreakers.com.
February 16, 2012
Interesting and well researched and nicely designed. There is a lot of background history and details that will make this a less inviting read for younger girls. Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts might enjoy this and any adult working with Girl Scouts or with fond memories of being a Scout would find this interesting.
April 1, 2013
This book was amazing. Juliette Gordon Low and her Family led incredibly fascinating lives. Being friends with US Presidents, Kings and Queen's of England. Then they decide to do something to better all girls, and not for personal gain. Wonderful.
July 30, 2014
The book was ok. Read like a report. Magazine length article could have told this story. But, I loved Girl Scouts and Juliette Low was a strong woman with a kind, fun loving heart and a great leader. I loved how everything was for her girls.
May 6, 2014
I really enjoyed reading about Juliette's life. I wish one day I am half as influential as she was. I really only wish after reading this that my girl scout experience was better. I very much enjoyed this book and will take it with me.
May 17, 2017
Ginger Wadsworth makes light of Juliette Low driving her car into a building. To me this indicates Miss Low's irresponsibility. She also sounds like a rather difficult person rather than someone to emulate.
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