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It Can't Be Done, Nellie Bly!: A Reporter's Race Around the World
It Can't Be Done, Nellie Bly! is the story of this reporter who attempted to circle the globe in record time in 1889.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
144 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2003
33 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Butcher
50 books16 followersNancy Butcher has written on health and wellness subjects for WholeHealthMD.com and other websites as well as creating wellness booklets for Time-Life Books. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling children's book It's Snow Problem, and 101 Ways to Stop Eating After Dinner.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 3, 2021
NOTE: my copy of this book has 87 pages
This compact middle grade book tells the story of intrepid reporter Nelly Bly, who made headlines in the 1890s as she attempted to circumnavigate the globe in a race against time. The text is engaging and exciting, the chapters are short and there are a few photographs at the end that flesh out what we learn about Nelly. What a spitfire! I love how her fearlessness and capability really shine through as she encounters obstacles from France to Japan - her adventures were so popular among the American public! I’m sad I’ve never heard of her until now. I totally recommend this for older elementary students who enjoy history and stories with strong - and real! - female characters.
This compact middle grade book tells the story of intrepid reporter Nelly Bly, who made headlines in the 1890s as she attempted to circumnavigate the globe in a race against time. The text is engaging and exciting, the chapters are short and there are a few photographs at the end that flesh out what we learn about Nelly. What a spitfire! I love how her fearlessness and capability really shine through as she encounters obstacles from France to Japan - her adventures were so popular among the American public! I’m sad I’ve never heard of her until now. I totally recommend this for older elementary students who enjoy history and stories with strong - and real! - female characters.
April 9, 2015
One day I picked this book up at the library and used it to make biography project. At the time I thought it was a great ide but after a while, I kind of wanted to be Sacagewea or something. The word s were hideous and the facts were interesting but there was no details to support them so I struggled answering my class mate's questions. The girl seemed interesting but the book wasn't so I'd go find another book about her. Thanks for taking the time to read my review.
March 19, 2021
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I had never heard of Nellie Bly until I read this book! The author turned this biographical tale into a fun adventure.
Firstly, I must say I never heard of Nelly Bly until I read this book. The author did a fantastic job in writing the tale in a beautiful, condensed manner. The story is short and sweet, targeted at middle graders. Moreover, each chapter accounts for a new adventure that Nellie encounters on her journey. From San Francisco to Singapore and Hongkong to Japan, Nellie experiences various cultures and traditions. Honestly, I thought this was a fantastic way to expose younger readers to diverse international cultures. On a side note, I was fascinated about the tour she takes in Canton, where she sees the prison heads (as I was not aware of it).
Similarly, the author spices up the story when she introduces Elizabeth Bisland. I loved the competition between the two, and how the newspapers made the most of the event. Also, reading this book made me further research the two famous reporters. It is inspiring how much they accomplished so much when they would have faced many challenges.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The author turns the book into a delightful adventure that made me feel like reading Jules Verne’s classic.
November 8, 2019
But Nellie Bly Did What She Always Did. She Went Into Action.
Good Luck Nellie Bly
Nellie Bly Is Flying High
On The China Sea;
With Her Goes The Hope Of One
Who Wants To See Paree;
She Get Here In 74,
Sure As She's Alive
Hours 12, Minutes 10, And Seconds 25.
She Will Be Recognized As Determined, Independent, Able To Take Care Of Herself Wherever She May Go.
TRAVELED TO // New York City, Around The World In 80 Days
MET ALONG THE WAY // Nellie Bly, Elizabeth Jane Cochran, McGinty, Elizabeth Bisland
June 21, 2021
A true story of Nellie Bly's adventures as a young reporter for the N. Y. World. Strong, independent and determined, she doesn't pay attention to how women were expected to behave in 1888. She sets out to travel around the world in less than 80 days to beat the record of a character in Jules Verne's book, Around the World in 80 Days. Butcher includes cultural details of the various countries Nellie passes through. The author adds suspense when another female reporter races to beat Nellie but travels in the opposite direction. Worldwide interest creates more excitement. The text lacks photos or illustrations, but the back matter includes some ephemera and colorful illustrations by Jen Singh in the section, More About the Nellie Bly Story. It contains information about Nellie's life after the race. The book is well written and organized. Younger middle grade readers would enjoy reading this inspiring biography.
May 16, 2025
A short book about Nellie Bly, a woman reporter n the late 1800’s. Miss Bly accomplished racing around the world quicker than 80 Days around the world character Mr. Fogg. In my opinion it was a race against Time and a record for Miss Bly. And, for Mr. Fogg a race against a bet but he also travelled experiencing the culture and peoples. This Novel is perfect for Fourth grade through middle school and then I would have the student read 80 Days Around the World and compare both travels,
June 29, 2023
As a biography, this is lacking, it really only focuses on the trip around the world, and not any of the other revolutionary reporting Bly did, such as the expose of the mental asylums of the day. Which is like, an important detail about Nellie Bly.
December 14, 2012
“It Can’t Be Done Nellie Bly” by Nancy Butcher is a delightful story of a newspaper reporter's attempt to travel around the world in 75 days to beat the record of the fictional character of Phileas Fogg. The author weaves a wonderful tale of the adventures faced by this daredevil woman and creatively inserts Nellie’s own words.
The chapters are short and flow easily to make a young reader encouraged with reading chapter books. The connection with factual information of events and the fictional dialogues created by the author is smooth and accomplished through a study of journals and other research.
This book will be an enjoyable read by middle readers. I also enjoyed the added factual information and pictures in the back few pages of the book. The short bibliography at the end would be helpful for further research. (rev. C.Delorge)
About the book: This book tells the true story of a courageous woman's famous journey in 1889 that took her all the way around the globe in record time.
Nellie Bly was a newspaper reporter for the New York World in the late nineteenth century. But instead of writing about "ladylike" subjects like tea parties and charity balls, Nellie wrote about the social problems of her day: poor job conditions, dilapidated housing, and dishonest politicians.
Many people objected to the things she wrote about. But Nellie Bly was unstoppable. If someone told her "It can't be done, Nellie Bly," she went right ahead and did it anyway.
Author and Illustrator: Nancy Butcher is the author of more than two dozen books for children and adults, including It Can't Be Done, Nellie Bly! and The Fire-Us Trilogy, coauthored with Jennifer Armstrong. A graduate of the University of Chicago, she lives in New York.
Jen Singh studied illustration at Kendall College of Art & Design and has illustrated several books. She lives in Georgia.
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of It Can't Be Done, Nellie Bly! was provided by Peachtree Publishers on behalf of the author to facilitate our honest review with no requirement for a positive review.
The chapters are short and flow easily to make a young reader encouraged with reading chapter books. The connection with factual information of events and the fictional dialogues created by the author is smooth and accomplished through a study of journals and other research.
This book will be an enjoyable read by middle readers. I also enjoyed the added factual information and pictures in the back few pages of the book. The short bibliography at the end would be helpful for further research. (rev. C.Delorge)
About the book: This book tells the true story of a courageous woman's famous journey in 1889 that took her all the way around the globe in record time.
Nellie Bly was a newspaper reporter for the New York World in the late nineteenth century. But instead of writing about "ladylike" subjects like tea parties and charity balls, Nellie wrote about the social problems of her day: poor job conditions, dilapidated housing, and dishonest politicians.
Many people objected to the things she wrote about. But Nellie Bly was unstoppable. If someone told her "It can't be done, Nellie Bly," she went right ahead and did it anyway.
Author and Illustrator: Nancy Butcher is the author of more than two dozen books for children and adults, including It Can't Be Done, Nellie Bly! and The Fire-Us Trilogy, coauthored with Jennifer Armstrong. A graduate of the University of Chicago, she lives in New York.
Jen Singh studied illustration at Kendall College of Art & Design and has illustrated several books. She lives in Georgia.
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of It Can't Be Done, Nellie Bly! was provided by Peachtree Publishers on behalf of the author to facilitate our honest review with no requirement for a positive review.
November 4, 2014
Are you ready for an adventure?
In the marvelous book, It Can't Be Done Nellie Bly!, many things happen. There is a fearless reporter racing around the world in 72 days time! Her dangerous race is important for her job as a newspaper writer. She is the only woman to be in the newspaper business and the first woman to sail around the world!
On her nerve wracking journey she encounters many problems and solutions. Nellie figures out that she has competition. She is determined to win this epic race around the world.
I think people would like this if they are ready for adventure. It is definitely worth reading and I, personally, would love to read it again. Any age would enjoy this book but I recommend it for ages 7-40 years old. It could be great for anyone though.
My favorite part was when she figured out there was determined competition. The fun-filled event really makes the story much, much more interesting after that.
Want to find out more? Read this book from your local library.
Review by Sofia H., Age 10, Denver Mensa
In the marvelous book, It Can't Be Done Nellie Bly!, many things happen. There is a fearless reporter racing around the world in 72 days time! Her dangerous race is important for her job as a newspaper writer. She is the only woman to be in the newspaper business and the first woman to sail around the world!
On her nerve wracking journey she encounters many problems and solutions. Nellie figures out that she has competition. She is determined to win this epic race around the world.
I think people would like this if they are ready for adventure. It is definitely worth reading and I, personally, would love to read it again. Any age would enjoy this book but I recommend it for ages 7-40 years old. It could be great for anyone though.
My favorite part was when she figured out there was determined competition. The fun-filled event really makes the story much, much more interesting after that.
Want to find out more? Read this book from your local library.
Review by Sofia H., Age 10, Denver Mensa
July 10, 2009
This book gives a good, quick overview of Nelly Bly's race around the world. Nelly Bly was a reporter in the 1800s when women didn't have the freedoms they do today, but that didn't stop her. She set out on a trip to challenge the story "Around the World in 80 Days", and to try to beat the 80 days, which she did. This is a good introduction to a fascinating story which can stand on its own, and it may also lead the reader to want to find out more about Ms. Bly.
September 9, 2016
A entertaining non-fiction read written in small chapter book format about Nellie Bly, woman reporter. Bly is most famously known for being the first person to travel around the world in under 80 days in her successful attempt to beat the fictional character Phileas Fogg from Jules Verne's novel Around the World in 80 Days.
June 15, 2012
picked this up while with bella at library. a ya version of the true story of the first american woman to travel around the world in 79 days alone! fun and fast!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews