BIBLIOGRAPHY
Blumenthal, Karen. Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX, the law that changed the future of girls in America. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005.
ISBN: 0689859570
PLOT SUMMARY
Let Me Play by Karen Blumenthal was about “the law that changed the future of girls in America.” Throughout the book, the story told how the law came to be and how it paved the way for girls to have the same rights as boys in regard to sports, academics, and careers, beginning in 1972 when it was passed to the present day. The book talked about the instrumental people who helped make the law a reality and how it has impacted the next generations, to the point that girls today don't have to fight as much for equal opportunity in sports, academics, and their careers. This story has been inspirational to all who have read it and has helped continue to impact the future.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Let Me Play was definitely accurately written, because it was written by a Sibert Honor-winning author, Karen Blumenthal, which demonstrates to the reader that the author has a good reputation in her writings. The book also had a bibliography at the back of the book with sources, and it had pictures of different people who were involved in making the Title IX law a reality.
The book's organization had a logical layout, because it introduced the idea behind the law at the beginning, and then, it moved on to sharing about the different ways girls were able to push for change and make strides towards accomplishing the equal rights that we know today. As the story progressed, the reader found themselves appreciating all the women and men who fought for their rights, and the work they did to make a difference. The story also told about some of the setbacks along the way, but ended with how girls today have so many equal rights that they don't realize that it was once a different reality in a previous generation.
As the story unfolded about the Title IX law, the reader was drawn in by the readable captions, the authentic black-and-white pictures, and the added text features on each page. Through these strategically placed graphics, the reader was able to learn more information about the Title IX law and better understand the sacrifices and strides that were made to gain equal rights for boys and girls. They were also able to remember more information, because of the information provided with the pictures.
Style was also an important aspect of this story, because the author wanted to educate and keep the reader's attention about an important subject, which was no small task. In order to accomplish this, she had to write with a passion and enthusiasm, which she displayed through the tone of the book. She also had to balance the amount of information she provided in the text and the pictures throughout the book, which she did by providing little nuggets of information by the pictures and by writing in a conversational voice. This style helped the reader want to learn and keep reading to find out more information about the Title IX law.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Jul. 1, 2005 (Vol. 101, No. 21))
As in Six Days in October (2002), a compelling overview of the 1929 stock market crash and a financial primer, Wall Street Journal editor Blumenthal uses specific facts and fascinating personal stories to give readers a wide view of history. Here, the author looks at American women's evolving rights by focusing on the history and future of Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in U.S. education. Profiles of groundbreaking female athletes and legislators deftly alternate with highlights of the women's movement, from the early twentieth century through today. The dull paper stock diminishes the many black-and-white photos, but the images are still gripping, and relevant political cartoons and fact boxes add further interest. Few books cover the last few decades of American women's history with such clarity and detail, and this comprehensive title draws attention to the hard-won battles, the struggles that remain, and the chilling possibility that rights, if not fiercely protected, can easily be lost. Category: Books for Older Readers--Nonfiction. 2005, Simon & Schuster/Atheneum. Gr. 6-9.
As in Six Days in October (2002), a compelling overview of the 1929 stock market crash and a financial primer, Wall Street Journal editor Blumenthal uses specific facts and fascinating personal stories to give readers a wide view of history. Here, the author looks at American women's evolving rights by focusing on the history and future of Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in U.S. education. Profiles of groundbreaking female athletes and legislators deftly alternate with highlights of the women's movement, from the early twentieth century through today. The dull paper stock diminishes the many black-and-white photos, but the images are still gripping, and relevant political cartoons and fact boxes add further interest. Few books cover the last few decades of American women's history with such clarity and detail, and this comprehensive title draws attention to the hard-won battles, the struggles that remain, and the chilling possibility that rights, if not fiercely protected, can easily be lost. Category: Books for Older Readers--Nonfiction. 2005, Simon & Schuster/Atheneum. Gr. 6-9.
Kristin Harris (Children's Literature)
Title IX, requiring equal opportunities for female and male students in federally-funded schools passed Congress in 1972. The lives of girls and women have been greatly impacted by that “little law.” A revolution followed as parents, teachers, coaches and kids worked to make sure that the opportunities opened to them by this new law were actually available. It took lots of dedication and hard work, but today about 3 million girls participate in high school sports, up from less than 300,000 in 1972. Young women were not only suiting up for basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer, they were entering college and graduate school in record numbers. There were soon numerous female doctors, lawyers and PhDs. This transformation was not without its challenges and failures. Sometimes these conflicts took place in the schools, in Congress or even in the U.S. courts. Title IX is one of the most important civil rights laws in our country. It is important to be vigilante because that which was given, can be taken away. Patsy Mink, the first woman of color in the US Congress, warned that these opportunities can be taken away if not guarded. The author concludes the book with a personal note and a quote from Edith Green, the mother of Title IX: “The trouble with every generation is that they haven’t read the minutes of the last meeting.” 2005, Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Ages 8 and up.
Title IX, requiring equal opportunities for female and male students in federally-funded schools passed Congress in 1972. The lives of girls and women have been greatly impacted by that “little law.” A revolution followed as parents, teachers, coaches and kids worked to make sure that the opportunities opened to them by this new law were actually available. It took lots of dedication and hard work, but today about 3 million girls participate in high school sports, up from less than 300,000 in 1972. Young women were not only suiting up for basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer, they were entering college and graduate school in record numbers. There were soon numerous female doctors, lawyers and PhDs. This transformation was not without its challenges and failures. Sometimes these conflicts took place in the schools, in Congress or even in the U.S. courts. Title IX is one of the most important civil rights laws in our country. It is important to be vigilante because that which was given, can be taken away. Patsy Mink, the first woman of color in the US Congress, warned that these opportunities can be taken away if not guarded. The author concludes the book with a personal note and a quote from Edith Green, the mother of Title IX: “The trouble with every generation is that they haven’t read the minutes of the last meeting.” 2005, Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Ages 8 and up.
Patricia Brown (Library Media Connection, February 2006)
Before the time that Donna de Varona won the gold in the Olympics and made the cover of Sports Illustrated, or Billy Jean King played Bobby Riggs, the battle for equality in the treatment of the sexes had been fought on several fronts. The warriors for the cause and the skirmishes leading up to the victory of Title IX are the subjects of this book. The text is easy to read and understand. Photos, newspaper clips, and cartoons adorn the pages to add interest to the text. The timeline and index at the end of the book, and the source notes for each chapter are very helpful. Karen Blumenthal has added a section called, "For Further Information," which contains a good bibliography on the subject of women's sports and women's rights, and also several useful Web sites for the student researcher. "Instant Replay" gives in-depth information about a topic or a person mentioned in the book. I found these very fascinating, so much so that I would stop to read them and then have to find my place to continue the narrative. The cover appears to be very sturdy; it fits well in one hand. It also has great eye-appeal. All in all, this is one great addition for your collection. Recommended. 2005, Atheneum (Simon & Schuster), 152pp. Ages 12 to 18.
Before the time that Donna de Varona won the gold in the Olympics and made the cover of Sports Illustrated, or Billy Jean King played Bobby Riggs, the battle for equality in the treatment of the sexes had been fought on several fronts. The warriors for the cause and the skirmishes leading up to the victory of Title IX are the subjects of this book. The text is easy to read and understand. Photos, newspaper clips, and cartoons adorn the pages to add interest to the text. The timeline and index at the end of the book, and the source notes for each chapter are very helpful. Karen Blumenthal has added a section called, "For Further Information," which contains a good bibliography on the subject of women's sports and women's rights, and also several useful Web sites for the student researcher. "Instant Replay" gives in-depth information about a topic or a person mentioned in the book. I found these very fascinating, so much so that I would stop to read them and then have to find my place to continue the narrative. The cover appears to be very sturdy; it fits well in one hand. It also has great eye-appeal. All in all, this is one great addition for your collection. Recommended. 2005, Atheneum (Simon & Schuster), 152pp. Ages 12 to 18.
*Best Books for Young Adults, 2006; American Library Association
*Booklist Top 10 Sports Books for Youth, 2005; American Library Association
*School Library Journal Best Books, 2005; Cahners
*School Library Journal Book Review Stars, July 2005; Cahners
*Booklist Top 10 Sports Books for Youth, 2005; American Library Association
*School Library Journal Best Books, 2005; Cahners
*School Library Journal Book Review Stars, July 2005; Cahners
*Jane Addams Children's Book Award, 2006 Winner Books for Older Children
*Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2006 Recommended
*Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2006 Recommended
CONNECTIONS
*Learn about primary and secondary sources
*Identify the use of text features in the book
*Compare and contrast the history of women from a generation ago to today
*Participate in discussion about why women weren't given equal opportunities in playing sports
*Other books about Title IX:
ISBN 9781592133802
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