
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration about being told they are too small, too young, or not quite right for a specific challenge. It is the perfect antidote to the 'boys are faster' narrative and a great tool for kids who struggle with perfectionism or the fear of healthy competition. This true story follows Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, two trailblazing reporters in 1889 who raced around the globe in opposite directions to beat a fictional record. Beyond the travel adventure, the book explores themes of professional grit, self-reliance, and breaking gender barriers. It is ideal for ages 6 to 9, offering a vibrant look at history that feels urgent and exciting. Parents will value how it frames competition not as animosity, but as a catalyst for personal excellence and historical change.
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Sign in to write a reviewMentions of 1880s gender restrictions and brief period-typical cultural perspectives.
The book is secular and direct. It briefly touches on the restrictive social expectations for women in the 19th century. The resolution is realistic: one woman wins, but both achieve historic feats.
An elementary student who loves 'Who Was' biographies but wants more visual excitement, or a child who is highly competitive and needs to see how that energy can be channeled into groundbreaking work.
This book can be read cold. The back matter is excellent for answering the inevitable 'did this really happen?' questions. A child saying, 'I can't do that because I'm a girl,' or feeling discouraged by a high-stakes deadline or competition.
Younger children (6-7) will focus on the 'race' aspect and the different types of ships and trains. Older children (8-9) will better grasp the social context of women entering the workforce and the grueling nature of 19th-century travel. DIFERENTIATOR: Unlike many biographies that focus on a single figure, this dual-biography structures history as a suspenseful sports-style race, making 19th-century journalism feel as modern and thrilling as an Olympic sprint.
In 1889, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland set out to beat Phileas Fogg's fictional record of traveling around the world in 80 days. Nellie, a bold investigative reporter, heads East, while the more literary Elizabeth is reluctantly convinced to head West. The narrative tracks their various modes of transport, the cultural sights they encounter, and the ticking clock that pushes them to their limits.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.