Bibliography
Fleming, Candace. 2011. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of
Amelia Earhart. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN 978-0375841989.
Brief plot summary
Amelia Lost tells the story of Amelia Earhart, a courageous aviatrix who
encouraged women to realize their dreams. The story begins with Amelia's birth and
tells the story of her life until her disappearance.
Critical analysis
In this biography of
Amelia Earhart historian Candace Fleming successfully alternates dual
narratives, biographical information chronicling her childhood and growth into
celebrity with the recounting of her final flight and the search that followed.
The alternating narratives build suspense and keep the reader hooked through
the conclusion of the book.
In an effort to take a
fresh look at Earhart’s life, Fleming does not shy away from uncovering the
“history in the hype” and separating the “truth from myth” of Earhart’s
self-promoted celebrity image.
This is sympathetically achieved through primary sources and does not
belittle Earhart’s achievements. Through
personal anecdotes, archival documents and photographs readers come to
understand why everyone cared so much for this daring woman pilot. This book
successfully imparts who Amelia Earhart was, what she accomplished along with
her faults and shortcomings, and what drove her ambition.
The book includes many
visuals to support the text: photographs, handwritten notes, documents, and
maps. Sidebars and inserts are used to clarify information and facts related to
the times, aviation, and Earhart’s life. The quality of research is apparent by
the bibliography and detailed source notes.
Review excerpts
“The book’s structure and scope,
along with the story’s inherent drama, provide a taut, cinematic backdrop for
the history of Earhart’s doomed flight." – Horn Book, Starred Review
“Drawing on her training as a historian and her considerable writing talents, Fleming (The Great and Only Barnum, 2009) offers a fresh look at this famous aviatrix. Employing dual narratives—straightforward biographical chapters alternating with a chilling recounting of Earhart’s final flight and the search that followed—Fleming seeks to uncover the “history in the hype,” pointing out numerous examples in which Earhart took an active role in mythologizing her own life.” – Booklist
“Drawing on her training as a historian and her considerable writing talents, Fleming (The Great and Only Barnum, 2009) offers a fresh look at this famous aviatrix. Employing dual narratives—straightforward biographical chapters alternating with a chilling recounting of Earhart’s final flight and the search that followed—Fleming seeks to uncover the “history in the hype,” pointing out numerous examples in which Earhart took an active role in mythologizing her own life.” – Booklist
“Handwritten
notes, photos, maps and inquisitive sidebars (What did Earhart eat during
flight? Tomato juice and chocolate) complete this impeccably researched,
appealing package. A stunning look at an equally stunning lady.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“Ho-hum history? Not in Fleming’s apt hands. What could be a dry recitation of facts and dates is instead a gripping and suspenseful thriller...This book is splendid. Hand it to everyone.” – School Library Journal
“Fleming cleverly structures this biography to give the tale of tragedy a fresh and dreadful impact...As a result, this offers not only a provocative introduction to Earhart but also compelling glimpse of what it was like to watch her disappear from the world." – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Ho-hum history? Not in Fleming’s apt hands. What could be a dry recitation of facts and dates is instead a gripping and suspenseful thriller...This book is splendid. Hand it to everyone.” – School Library Journal
“Fleming cleverly structures this biography to give the tale of tragedy a fresh and dreadful impact...As a result, this offers not only a provocative introduction to Earhart but also compelling glimpse of what it was like to watch her disappear from the world." – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Awards / Best Books
Cybil Award Winner, 2011
Orbis Pictus Award for
Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Honor Book, 2012
Horn Book Fanfare, 2011
Kirkus Best Children’s
Books, 2011
New York Times Notable
Children’s Books, 2011
ALSC Notable Children’s
Books, 2012
School Library Journal
Best Books, 2011
Washington Post Best Kid’s
Books, 2011
Classroom Connections
Include this book as part
of a unit on important women of the 20th century or a unit on the
history of flight.
Students can create a “did
you know?” bulletin board focusing on events and accomplishments from Amelia
Earhart’s life.
Students can read a book
about or research the life of Charles Lindbergh and then compare and contrast
his life in aviation with that of Amelia Earhart.
Other nonfiction books
about Amelia Earhart:
- Amelia Earhart (DK Biography) by Tanya Lee Stone – ISBN 0756625521
- Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic by Robert Burleigh – ISBN 1416967338
- Sky Pioneer: A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart by Corrine Szabo – ISBN 1426300441
- Amelia Earhart: Legendary Aviator by Jameson Anderson – ISBN 0736896597
- Who Was Amelia Earhart? by Kate Boehm Jerome – ISBN 978-0448428567
Other nonfiction books by
Candace Fleming:
- Ben Franklin’s Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life – ISBN 978-0689835490
- The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum – ISBN 0375841970
- The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary – ISBN 0375836187
- Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s Remarkable Life – ISBN 978-0689865442
