Unsinkable Molly Brown (American Legends)

Discusses the life and legend of Molly Brown, a wealthy social reformer who survived the Titanic disaster.

Grade 2-5-While the term legend as it applies to the series title is addressed, these books read like biography. However, the author does not always make clear what is fact and what is not. There is some fictionalizing. For example, in Molly Pitcher, the author writes, "Molly, however, wished that she, too, could be taught to read and write." Interestingly, in Sally Hemings, the association between President Jefferson and Sally is called a "special relationship." In Molly Brown, the text reads, "Molly had dreamed of marrying a rich man but instead fell in love with the 32-year-old J. J. Brown." Photographs show actual people and places but some of the paintings do not relate to the accompanying text. All are superimposed on an annoying blue background with fuzzy shadows of objects in each person's life. These women are colorful, interesting characters in American history and deserve more appropriate renderings of their stories.
Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
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