Borrowed Names: Poems About Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam C.J. Walker, Marie Curie, and Their Daughters in Mock Newbery 2026

Dec 30, 2010 Wendy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010-award-possibilities

Well. This book is something pretty special. I didn't expect to read it, even after I'd heard good things about it (novels in verse often irritate me, and this sounded so high-concept), but it presented itself at the library and wanted me to take it. I certainly didn't expect to enjoy it, but I did. Almost five stars.

Who decided they could publish and sell this book? I can't imagine how that happened, but I'm glad.

I expected to be interested most in the Laura/Rose section, though of course I re Well. This book is something pretty special. I didn't expect to read it, even after I'd heard good things about it (novels in verse often irritate me, and this sounded so high-concept), but it presented itself at the library and wanted me to take it. I certainly didn't expect to enjoy it, but I did. Almost five stars.

Who decided they could publish and sell this book? I can't imagine how that happened, but I'm glad.

I expected to be interested most in the Laura/Rose section, though of course I read it skeptically, always wary of any Rose-aggrandizement. It wasn't really there--I thought it was pretty realistic, and it didn't make me love Laura any less or dislike Rose any more, which was pleasant. But I think I'm too close to the subject there to be able to settle in and enjoy the story and not debate interpretation at every step. I wasn't really looking-looking, but I only noticed one little inconsistency--they made molasses candy for Christmas, not maple sugar candy, which is so minute as to be meaningless and makes me sound petty, but, well, you guys understand.

So I read the Madame CJ Walker/A'Lelia section and thought "oh, this is the strength of the book, here", and then read the Madame Curie/Irene and Eve section and thought "no, this is the strength of the book"--so--maybe the Laura/Rose section is just as good but I can't see it. Or maybe the author, too, was too close that section and it didn't come out as well; I don't know her background.

As with so many other books I've read this season, I'm not sure who this is for, besides women, who will have some context for the stories (both personal as to mothers and daughters, and historical). What would a girl make of it? Her perspective would be so different.

I feel like I should say specific things about the writing: language simple and evocative, with differentiated voice for each character, settings described sparingly but effectively.

I really do recommend this to everyone, or anyway all the women, but be warned that it may bring up strong emotions, and if you don't want to be thinking about your own mother and your relationship with her, you might put it off until you're in another place. Read, enjoy, then write really long reviews about it for me to read. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2010 Donalyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: ncbla-committee-2011-books, children-s-poetry

In 1867, three remarkable women were born-- Laura Ingalls Wilder, Sarah Breedlove Walker, and Marie Curie. Through their bravery, imagination, and hard work, each one left a lasting legacy, which was supported and carried on by their daughters-- Rose Wilder, A'lelia Walker,and Irene Curie. The stories of these six women unfold in this beautiful work of narrative poetry. Lush language and historical research illustrate the time and circumstances of each woman's life, accomplishments, and relation ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 11, 2011 Susie rated it really liked it

Shelves: yhba-consideration-for-2012

This was quite the intriguing book! I had no idea that Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam Walker, and Marie Curie were all born the same year; it's a very interesting premise for a book. There is a section for each person, and the content focuses primarily on relationships with daughters. Each have many, many obstacles to overcome, and are not always successful. Other than creating interest and making me want to learn more (especially about Marie Curie), there are many lyrical phrases in this book. For ...more

Like · see review

Feb 04, 2011 Ellie rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, poetry, girls

Wow, emotional, powerful, AND informative! I spent most of this book thinking about my mom - would be good for a Mother's Day teen book discussion maybe?

The intertwined successes, failures, and lives of famous mother and daughter pairs (Laura Ingalls Wilder and Rose Wilder Lane, Madame C.J. Walker and A'Leila Walker, and Marie Curie and Irene Curie) are explored in this book of poetry. The poetry reads more like prose (which was good for me - I'm not really a poetry person!) and the womens' stor ...more

Like · see review

Apr 12, 2010 The Reading Countess rated it it was amazing

Shelves: poetry

My school librarian purchased this at the Texas Librarian's Association annual convention for our school. She knew that I had requested it, but stated that the book could be used as a "teacher reference" only, since some topics were a little too mature. This is one book that makes me want to teach junior high...

What an amazingly beautiful book, reminiscient of Hesse's Out of the Dust. The poetic verse oozes beauty and grace. I simply could not put it down until the book was read in one sitting. ...more

Like · see review

Jun 24, 2010 Alyson Whatcott rated it liked it

I read this book thinking it would make the ultimate Mother's Day Gift. Here is a book about mothers and daughters and their contributions to and relationships with each other. However, I found it more sad than inspiring, so needless to say, I did not mail it out to my fellow mothers. However, I did learn a lot about Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madame Curie and Madam CJ Walker and their daughters. It is full of history, anecdotes and free verse poetry, and left me with the ache that sometimes and in e ...more

Like · see review

Aug 03, 2012 Shannon rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2012

Absolutely wonderful. I would have LOVED this book in junior high, although it was difficult to see less pleasant sides of two of my heroes, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Marie Curie. SPOILER ALERT: Rose Wilder Lane is bi. <3

Like · see review

Apr 02, 2010 Mary Lee rated it really liked it

Fascinating that these three women were all born in the same year.

Like · see review

May 20, 2010 Holly rated it really liked it

Shelves: teens-mature-themes, nonfiction-biography, poetry

Very unique...biography in poetry form. I was very impressed with the various tone and flow of the 3 different sections.

Like · see review

Sep 04, 2010 Sharon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history, a-biography, women

Great book for Women's History Month. Three famous mothers (a writer, a scientist, a businesswoman) and their relationships with their daughters--fascinating! ...more

Like · see review

Jan 19, 2012 Dolores rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

NEVER, EVER judge a book by its cover. This one is deadly dull. The title isn't exactly scintillating either. But this book is brilliant. Filled with amazing characters and incredible deeds, and all of it real. ...more

Like · see review