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Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Road Trip
Writer Sarah Glenn Marsh and illustrator Gilbert Ford's Alice Across America is a nonfiction picture book account of maverick Alice Ramsey, the first woman to drive a car across America in 1909.
When Alice Ramsey was little, she loved to ride horses. As she grew up, more people were driving cars. From the moment Alice slid behind the wheel, she was crazy about cars. So when the Maxwell-Briscoe Company challenged her to drive one of their new cars across the country as a promotional ploy to prove that even a lady could do it, Alice daringly accepted. With several women by her side, these brazen drivers sustained many hardships over the course of a remarkable two-month journey and far surpassed all expectations.
With a clever blend of women's history, technological history, and American roading geography, this is a celebration of unstoppable women making strides in twentieth-century America.
Christy Ottaviano Books
When Alice Ramsey was little, she loved to ride horses. As she grew up, more people were driving cars. From the moment Alice slid behind the wheel, she was crazy about cars. So when the Maxwell-Briscoe Company challenged her to drive one of their new cars across the country as a promotional ploy to prove that even a lady could do it, Alice daringly accepted. With several women by her side, these brazen drivers sustained many hardships over the course of a remarkable two-month journey and far surpassed all expectations.
With a clever blend of women's history, technological history, and American roading geography, this is a celebration of unstoppable women making strides in twentieth-century America.
Christy Ottaviano Books
48 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2020
About the author
Sarah Glenn Marsh
33 books886 followersSarah Glenn Marsh has been an avid fantasy reader since the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life. She believes we all deserve happy endings and is an author of books for everyone, including many young adult, middle grade, and picture book titles.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates is her first adult novel.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates is her first adult novel.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 19, 2021
I figured I would love this book based on the subject. For the story and illustrations, I would give three stars, but I'm bumping it up because the back matter is good.
I wanted more from the story... the story needed to make clear the exact date this took place and it would have been helpful to know Alice's age, too (the illustrations made her look quite matronly, but she was only 22 years old!) I also wanted to know what compelled her friend and sisters-in-law to accompany her (the sisters-in-law were portrayed as a bit fuddyduddy yet embarking on the first women-only cross-country automobile trip is anything but fuddyduddy!) I wanted to know more about Alice's upbringing and marriage and what gave her the strength and support to be part of what was seen as a man's realm especially when she was so newly married and a young mother. I realize this is a picture book biography for children, but with skillful writing, sufficient background needs only a few sentences and really helps better understand the whole person. The actual road trip itself is a decent account.
The back matter, as I mentioned, is good. It contains:
Author's Note: The Life and Legacy of Alice Ramsey (with some delightful photographs)
The Main Street of America: A Note on Cars from Alice's Time to Today (I was glad they mentioned Bertha Benz)
and
Selected Bibliography
If you enjoyed this book, I suggest also:
Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles
and
Berta Benz and the Motorwagen: The Story of the First Automobile Journeya Benz!)
I wanted more from the story... the story needed to make clear the exact date this took place and it would have been helpful to know Alice's age, too (the illustrations made her look quite matronly, but she was only 22 years old!) I also wanted to know what compelled her friend and sisters-in-law to accompany her (the sisters-in-law were portrayed as a bit fuddyduddy yet embarking on the first women-only cross-country automobile trip is anything but fuddyduddy!) I wanted to know more about Alice's upbringing and marriage and what gave her the strength and support to be part of what was seen as a man's realm especially when she was so newly married and a young mother. I realize this is a picture book biography for children, but with skillful writing, sufficient background needs only a few sentences and really helps better understand the whole person. The actual road trip itself is a decent account.
The back matter, as I mentioned, is good. It contains:
Author's Note: The Life and Legacy of Alice Ramsey (with some delightful photographs)
The Main Street of America: A Note on Cars from Alice's Time to Today (I was glad they mentioned Bertha Benz)
and
Selected Bibliography
If you enjoyed this book, I suggest also:
Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles
and
Berta Benz and the Motorwagen: The Story of the First Automobile Journeya Benz!)
October 3, 2020
This is an enjoyable account of Alice Ramsey's expedition with three friends across the country before there were many roads. I enjoyed learning about this trip. There was one spot in the book where it seemed like the author lost the thread. They were in a fix. What would they do? and they never did say what they did in that particular situation, just that Alice was determined to complete the journey. That was kind of annoying, but overall it's still an enjoyable read.
April 3, 2020
Interesting enough story. Probably wouldn’t read it again.
October 4, 2020
Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Road Trip is a children's picture book written by Sarah Glenn Marsh and illustrated by Gilbert Ford. It centers on the cross-country ride of Alice Ramsey – the first woman to drive across the United States.
Alice Huyler Ramsey was the first woman to drive across the United States from coast to coast on August 7, 1909.
Marsh's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The narrative details the cross-country trip rather well and in an automobile that lacked modern convenience and safety measures. Backmatter includes an author's note, bibliography, and a map of their trip. Ford's stylized illustrations bring the text and time to life rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. In 1909, Alice Ramsey, an early adopter of the automobile, who happens to be female, was asked by a carmaker to drive from New York to California in order to show that his cars were so well built and easy to operate that even a lady could drive one safely. Dedicated and excited, she and three friends set off on a tumultuous road trip of nearly 4,000 miles and became the first woman to drive across the country.
All in all, Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Road Trip is a fine choice that showcases a strong woman inspired to succeed.
Alice Huyler Ramsey was the first woman to drive across the United States from coast to coast on August 7, 1909.
Marsh's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The narrative details the cross-country trip rather well and in an automobile that lacked modern convenience and safety measures. Backmatter includes an author's note, bibliography, and a map of their trip. Ford's stylized illustrations bring the text and time to life rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. In 1909, Alice Ramsey, an early adopter of the automobile, who happens to be female, was asked by a carmaker to drive from New York to California in order to show that his cars were so well built and easy to operate that even a lady could drive one safely. Dedicated and excited, she and three friends set off on a tumultuous road trip of nearly 4,000 miles and became the first woman to drive across the country.
All in all, Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Road Trip is a fine choice that showcases a strong woman inspired to succeed.
August 12, 2020
A new piece of history to teach my students. Definitely teaching with this book during Women's History Month!
July 8, 2020
Alice Across America: The story of the first women’s cross-country road trip by Sarah Glenn Marsh, illustrated by Gilbert Ford. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2020. $19. 9781250297020
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The man from the Maxwell car company was impressed by Alice’s driving skill. He had a proposal for her – would she be willing to be the first woman to drive across America? The company would offer support, as long as Alice and her friends did the repairs and navigating. Alice, 22yo, jumped at the chance. It took 59 days, but the intrepid quartet made it all the way.
Though not the first book about Alice Ramsey’s journey, its been 20 years since that first one. It is an interesting tale – a great way to help young readers put history in to perspective. Whether you are teaching about transportation, women’s first, or grit – there are teachers who will want this.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The man from the Maxwell car company was impressed by Alice’s driving skill. He had a proposal for her – would she be willing to be the first woman to drive across America? The company would offer support, as long as Alice and her friends did the repairs and navigating. Alice, 22yo, jumped at the chance. It took 59 days, but the intrepid quartet made it all the way.
Though not the first book about Alice Ramsey’s journey, its been 20 years since that first one. It is an interesting tale – a great way to help young readers put history in to perspective. Whether you are teaching about transportation, women’s first, or grit – there are teachers who will want this.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
April 11, 2020
Oh, the things women have done and the lost history of their accomplishments! As I read this account of Alice Ramsey, whose feat was to drive an automobile all the way across the United States back in 1909, I couldn't help but reflect on how far we've come and yet how far we still need to go. Because the text and the back matter make it clear that the route she followed wasn't particularly well marked and that the Interstate highways on which we now zoom were nonexistent at the time, I had to shake my head in amazement at what Alice accomplished. After all, not only was much of the way unpaved and relatively uncharted, but there weren't the abundant numbers of motels and hotels, convenience stores, and restaurants along the way either. All the way cross country from New York to San Francisco, Alice and three of her friends persevered even when the car broke down or they faced challenging weather. Alice even had to crank the car to get it to start and handle many of the small repairs along the way. This lively account of a groundbreaking moment in our nation's history is accompanied by digital mixed media illustrations, enhanced with ink and watercolor elements. This title would fit perfectly in a collection dedicated to strong women, ground-breakers or one devoted to individuals who made a difference in the world against them. The back matter even includes photographs of Alice and her companions, additional notes on the trip and how travel changed once affordable cars became more prevalent. I also loved the end papers that trace Alice's route across the country as well as various stopping points, a total of 3, 800 miles over 59 days. I'm sure those women were glad to finally get out of that car.
July 20, 2020
I picked this book up from the library for Women's History Month and learned so much about Alice Huyler Ramsey's famous cross-country road trip in 1909. For my 7 year old and me, this was a real education on the road system in early 20th century America. We loved the two page author's note at the back, including black and white photos from the trip, and were fascinated to find that the trip, which covered 3800 miles over 59 days, had only 152 miles of paved road.
I cannot fathom why the publisher and/or author chose "All-Girl" in the subtitle. Alice Ramsay was a grown woman when she made her trip, and making it sound like a cutesy girly endeavor diminishes the real peril, courage, and accomplishment.
Great book to share with elementary and middle grade readers. Could be excellent for units on women's history and on rapid change in the 20th century.
I cannot fathom why the publisher and/or author chose "All-Girl" in the subtitle. Alice Ramsay was a grown woman when she made her trip, and making it sound like a cutesy girly endeavor diminishes the real peril, courage, and accomplishment.
Great book to share with elementary and middle grade readers. Could be excellent for units on women's history and on rapid change in the 20th century.
May 24, 2020
A fascinating true story about the first woman to drive across America...and I love that she did it on a road trip with her best friends! I know I truly take for granted the liberties and freedoms I enjoy today that just a few years ago, were unattainable for women. Reading stories about these extraordinary yet ordinary women who broke barriers, took risks, and made their own powerful contributions is so inspiring to me.
September 29, 2021
I enjoyed the way the story was presented even though the information wasn't new to me.
The illustrator used suffrage colors as the main color palate throughout most of the book: purple, yellow and white (National Women's Party/yellow for Kansas sunflower from the 19th-century parties; Green, White, Violet from the UK, New York and New Jersey). Other than the colors, the illustrations didn't appeal to me that much.
The illustrator used suffrage colors as the main color palate throughout most of the book: purple, yellow and white (National Women's Party/yellow for Kansas sunflower from the 19th-century parties; Green, White, Violet from the UK, New York and New Jersey). Other than the colors, the illustrations didn't appeal to me that much.
August 27, 2025
Awfully superficial even for a picture-book. And I did not care for the art at all. But it does include back matter and some may find it inspiring.
Interestingly, the bibliography includes Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back....
Interestingly, the bibliography includes Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back....
June 17, 2020
Appealing and energetic, this account of Alice Ramsey's across America in 1909 provides a lot of information about attitudes toward women, the history of highways and automobile travel.
Bright bouncy illustrations and well done back matter including an Author's Note with additional information on Ramsey, a bibliography and a note on the history of automobiles and travel.
Bright bouncy illustrations and well done back matter including an Author's Note with additional information on Ramsey, a bibliography and a note on the history of automobiles and travel.
June 9, 2020
Bookaday #13. Interesting presentation of Alice Ramsey’s cross country trip. Illustrations are not my favorite part of this book, the 4 women are indistinguishable. Back matter has photos and more info on the trip, car travel conditions at the time including a section on Route 66.
December 19, 2020
I loved this story about 4 women from the early 1900s going across the country in an early automobile. How brave they must have been! And, what fun they must have had! A great book that will be a new addition to my school library.
January 1, 2021
A fun picture book biography with bright colorful pictures about four women driving across the country in one of the first cars in the early 1900's. Incredible story with great afterward on the real life subject. Elementary and up.
October 22, 2021
The story is fun and I enjoyed the writing but I found the illustrations very off-putting, especially the faces and hands. The expressions were just odd and the hands were drawn in a purposely childish way that I'm sure had an artistic point to it, but not one that I grasped.
Read
February 27, 2020Interesting story!
March 31, 2020
How Alice Ramsey, in 1909, became the first woman to drive an automobile across America.
June 1, 2020
This is a great book for any classroom, homeschool or children's library! My students love when I pull out a Marsh picture book!
November 21, 2021
An interesting true story accompanied by colorful illustrations. The challenges Alice and her passengers faced on their trip make for a fun and informative read.
June 7, 2022
Good story
August 10, 2022
Alice drives across 1900’s America showing it can be done!
March 10, 2023
Good for Alice!
April 8, 2023
This was an entertaining read about Alice's trip! I really enjoyed it and the information included at the end of the book with photos, really added to the overall enjoyment.
June 14, 2021
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Alice Across America: The Story of the First Women’s Cross-Country Road Trip, written by Sarah Glenn Marsh and illustrated by Gilbert Ford.
From when Alice Ramsey was a little girl, she loved to go fast. Graduating from horses to the relatively-new invention of automobiles in her adulthood, she surprised many by becoming a skilled driver and racer, eventually being approached by an auto manufacturer. They had an offer: drive across the United States in one of their cars, to show that they were so easy to operate, “even a lady could do it”. Alice agreed, bringing three friends along for the nearly-4000 mile journey. Using mostly-unpaved roads and pathways in a vehicle lacking all modern convenience, the four girls rattled from New York to San Francisco over the course of two months, learning how to solve problems, whether storms, and rely on each other to keep the little car going.
Interesting! Alice’s story is certainly one I wasn’t aware of and, despite it’s mildly sexist impetus, was a pretty exciting tale of female fortitude, ingenuity, and friendship. Each spread gives an account of challenges the four ladies faced along the way, from broken or overheated parts, flooded rivers, bedbug-ridden hotels, and escaped criminals, making the reader feel like they are right beside the women on their exciting journey. Alice herself is portrayed as level-headed and no-nonsense, and she makes for a strong central figure. The folk-art style illustrations capture the scenic drive from city to mountains to redwoods forests beautifully, though the human characters occasionally sport unusual features or facial expressions. The length would be best for elementary-aged bookworms, but JJ enjoyed the ride. A warm and enjoyable girl-power tale, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews