Title: Nellie Bly: America’s Best Reporter
Author: Iris Noble, edited by Ambre Gillman Sautter
Series: Inspiring Wonder
Major Themes: Nellie Bly, Reporters, Journalism, Social Activism, Susan B. Anthony
Synopsis: How did a young woman become America’s most famous reporter?
I remember hearing briefly about Nellie Bly from the description of a historical fiction book about her several years ago. That brief description made me curious, so when I saw a request for reviewers of a newly reprinted and expanded biography of the famous reporter, I was ready to request it. Nellie Bly: America’s Best Reporter turned out to be a fascinating story!
Publisher’s description:
As a young woman with sharp wit, boundless audacity, and some serious acting chops, Nellie Bly’s fearless approach to journalism broke new ground. She gave voice to those most unheard, winning the hearts of everyday people and striking fear into the corrupt. Iris Noble brings Nellie’s incredible story to life in these pages, which, enriched by Nellie’s own words, offer an intimate glimpse into her tenacity and unyielding spirit. This riveting account of a bold trailblazer reads like a novel—one of those gripping stories that resists being set down.
My thoughts:
Often, a biography will start out quite engrossing, and then become almost boring toward the end. Iris Noble, as she wrote Nellie Bly: America’s Best Reporter, in the 1950s, managed to avoid that trap. I found this book very easy to read and interesting, all the way through. Nellie led quite a colorful life, and this author told about it in an engaging, fun way.
Interspersed with the chapters about different parts of Nellie’s life and her amazing adventures are actual articles that Nellie wrote. Some of these are serious exposés of wrongs, such as the way mental patients were treated in an asylum or the lucrative market in babies. One is a humorous account of how Nellie attempted to learn ballet. All are interesting! It is not hard to see why she was so famous.
This is a book I would love to have on our shelf, not because I am in favor of women pushing for their rights, but because Nellie Bly led such an interesting life, and this story about her reveals history that I have never come across before. I will definitely be watching for more reprints from this publisher!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Descriptions from the late 1800s/early 1900s of cruelty in mental hospitals, of child trafficking, and of people injured in battle.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 10 – 12, 12 – 15
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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