Non-Fiction Review #3- WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?

What To Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. What to Do About Alice? Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008.

ISBN 978-0-439-92231-9

2.     PLOT SUMMARY

“Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem.” Barbara Kerley introduces us to Alice Lee Roosevelt, the oldest daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. As a child, Alice rode her bicycle, roamed the streets of Washington, and even joined an all-boys club, (until her father found out). Alice was 17 when her father became president, and continued to defy the rules of social conventions by riding a bike, driving her own car, betting on horse races and dancing until the early hours of the morning. Despite all of this, she grew up to became one of Theodore Roosevelt’s most trusted advisors and represented him as a goodwill ambassador in Cuba, Puerto Rico, China and many other countries. Alice married a congressman, and continued to be active in the political activities of Washington for the remainder of her life.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

From the first look at this book's cover, one wants to read the book. The back cover of the book has a quote from Teddy Roosevelt saying, "I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both." This sets the tone for this picture book biography.
The illustrations throughout the book are detailed. From the way the illustrator depicts motion to the smallest of details, the illustrations are on point with the story. The actual printed text of the book is interesting. Some words are in bold type, some words are capitalized, and others are in different fonts or italicized. The interest the author has in Alice is transferred to the reader as I found myself wanting to learn even more about her. While the book was written for young readers using a language and vocabulary they can easily comprehend, older students and adults are left satisfied as well.

4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Sibert Honor Book

ALA Notable Children’s Book – Middle Readers Category – 2009

School Library Journal Best Books- 2008

Texas Bluebonnet Book 2009-2010

From School Library Journal: “This book  provides a fascinating glimpse into both a bygone era and one of its more interesting denizens as well as a surefire antidote for any child who thinks that historical figures are boring.”

From Publisher’s Weekly: “It’s hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather read-a-like books to read such as:

Winter, Jonah, Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx, ISBN: 978-1-442-40303-1 

O’Connor, Jane, If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House,

ISBN: 978-1-442-49782-5

Gather other Barbara Kerley books to read such as:

With a Friend by Your Side, ISBN:  978-1-426-31905-1

The World is Waiting for You, ISBN:  978-1-426-31114-7

Alice Roosevelt's adventures were frequently reported in the newspapers of the day and Fotheringham depicts several headlines in his artwork. Using illustrations from the book, ask students to create newspaper headlines or captions that describe the action portrayed.

Ask students to re-enact an imagined conversation between Teddy Roosevelt and Alice when Teddy decides that she should attend Miss Spence's boarding school to learn to be a "proper young lady." Have students consider why Teddy thinks Alice should attend this school. What reasons does Alice give for not wanting to go?