Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life by Candance Fleming

1. Bibliography 

Fleming, Candace. Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005.

2. Plot Summary 

In this amazing intimate biography, Candace Fleming tells the life story of amazing woman and First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Readers learn about her childhood and the events that shaped this historically significant woman. Not only will they read, but readers will see incredible pieces of her life like a report card, hand written notes to friends and family, and photographs of Eleanor’s life.  

3. Critical Analysis

This large, glossy, hardcover book is sometimes hard to follow since this book is organized by topic such as “Sad Little Nell”, “A Devoted Wife and Mother”, and “First Lady of the World” instead of time order and sometimes assumes readers' background knowledge of specific historical contexts. This book is best suited for an older student audience or those already somewhat familiar with Eleanor Roosevelt. However, because the information and features are so interesting and personal, younger students may enjoy exploring this book and gaining trivial knowledge of an amazing first lady. Readers will find photographs of Eleanor with a young Franklin in their courting days as well as photo copies of Eleanor’s childhood report cards, a page dedicated to the newspaper clippings of Eleanor’s many car accidents, and Eleanor visiting wounded soldiers. Our Eleanor is interesting, sometimes funny, and always inspiring. 

4. Award(s) and Review Excerpt(s)

• From School Library Journal: “Fleming is honest, respectful, and astute throughout, addressing both successes and controversies with balance…”
  
• From Booklist: “Through anecdotes and archival photos drawn from an assortment of sources, Fleming invites readers into a camaraderie with the timid, neglected little girl who grew up to become the woman many nicknamed "copresident," and whose flouting of accepted gender roles earned her admiration and ridicule in equal measure. The details of Roosevelt's life are certainly riveting...”

5. Connections

Gather other texts by Candace Fleming:

• The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia. ISBN 9780375867828
  
• Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart. ISBN 0375841989
  
• The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh. ISBN 052564654X
  

Allow students to look through and study the text features during a lesson on purpose for print and graphic features.