October 28, 2013

AMELIA LOST: THE LIFE AND DISAPPEARANCE OF AMELIA EARHART by Candance Fleming



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Fleming, Candace. 2011. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earheart. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780375945984

Notable children’s author Candace Fleming has created a fascinating factual account of the life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart in Amelia Lost. In this juvenile biography, Fleming recreates Earhart’s passion for flying through the use of authentic sources of research. Fleming cites primary documents such as archives from the pilot herself, Earhart’s own published works, as well as books written by her husband, and family letters. The author does a remarkable job in cutting through the mythical image of Earhart and bringing her persona down to earth.

This true life account of the world’s most famous female pilot is told in a unique and interesting way. The book’s chapters, which alternate between the last hours of her life and her childhood, capture the reader’s attention immediately. Throughout the work, photographs, maps, newspaper clippings, and handwritten notes add authenticity to the dramatic events narrated in the text. The layout of the book brings to mind an old family album or scrapbook, which adds to the historical appeal of Earhart’s story. The 1930’s inspired typeface used in the book also helps to evoke the feel of that era in history. The subheadings, sidebars, and other verbal access features come together to make Amelia Lost a genuine source of information and entertainment for young and old readers alike.

Amelia Lost is the winner of a Cybil Award in 2011 as well as an Orbis Pictus Award in 2012.

This biography can be paired with another title by the same author, Eleanor:  A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Rooselvelt’s Remarkable Life as part of a study on amazing women in history. As an extension activity, children can be asked to create a timeline or scrapbook highlighting major events in their lifetime and possibly predicting future ones.


Books in Print. 2013. TWU Library Accessed October 28, 2013 http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125

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