From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-A wonderful introduction to a diverse group of 12 women, from ancient Greece to modern times. Each heroine receives a three-to-four page discussion, along with Hazell's period-style illustrations and a loosely drawn map. Facts, including cultural and historical background, are mixed with the author's informed suppositions. This is especially apparent in the entries describing subjects about whom little is known, such as Lady Murasaki Shikibu (author of The Tale of Genji) and Sacagawea. The chapter about Agnodice, an ancient Greek healer, is based on stories and legends and rounded out with a discussion of early medicine and a description of ancient Athens. Three modern women are also depicted: Anna Akhmatova, Madame Sun Yat-Sen (Soong Ching-ling), and Frida Kahlo. The other six heroines are well-known figures who have received a good amount of biographical attention: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth I, Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, and Amelia Earhart. A helpful list for further reading, with adult and juvenile sources, is appended. Though limited as a research tool, this book uses well-chosen details and anecdotes to bring each subject to life.Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CACopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
This volume, subtitled ``Great Women Through the Ages,'' offers brief biographies of 12 women who made their marks: Agnodice, Lady Murasaki Shikibu, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Elizabeth I, Sacagawea, Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, Anna Akhmatova, Madame Sun Yat-Sen, Amelia Earhart, and Frida Kahlo. Every heroine is covered in a few brief, occasionally superficial paragraphs: a page or two about her life, another spread covering her era and milieu, and a third covering, in one case, ``Sacagawea's World,'' and in Harriet Tubman's case, ``Ole Chariot,'' with a few more details about escapes from slavery. The chapter on Lady Murasaki Shikibu, described as the author of ``the world's first novel'' (The Tale of Genji), consists of a few sentences on her life story, some commentary on Japanese court life and courting rituals, and general notes on medieval Japanese culture in general. The accompanying map shows sites in Japan that relate to Lady Murasaki's life and Genji, but, like the other maps in the book, is superficial and so primitively rendered as to be useless. The illustrations are another weak point, derivative and sometimes poorly drafted (Sir Francis Drake suffers from this, as does Earhart). The subjects are inherently fascinating, but the presentation is too simplistic to satisfy; the book feels packaged and won't whet readers' appetites for more information. (maps, further reading) (Biographies. 10+) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The lives and contributions of twelve women from many cultures and throughout history are portrayed in this inspiring book. Women who changed the world are depicted in the facinating historical period in which each one lived.

When you think of a heroine, what kind of person comes to your mind? You may think of someone who is especially brave, or someone who does things no one has done before.

Some kinds of heroism happen in times of crisis; others can develop over a lifetime. In Heroines you will learn about women from many different countries and periods of history. All of these women experienced life fully, and each gave something remarkable to the society in which she lived.

Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in the southern United States, only to risk her life again and again to help others find freedom. In Communist Russia, Anna Akhmatova bore years of persecution to write poetry that expressed her feelings about what was happening in her native country.

With their courage, commitment, and high ideals, women such as these show us that we too have the power to use our talents for the best and to help create the kind of world we may only dream about. These women help us understand the many kinds of heroism and the tremendous changes that can come about when one person has a vision and dares to follow it.

Accompanying each heroine are illustrations drawn in the artistic style of the period and place in which she lived, as well as maps locating and describing the world she knew.

You will be fascinated by the stories of the following women:

Agnodice - Ancient Greece

Lady Murasaki Shikibu - Japan

Eleanor of Aquitaine - France

Joan of Arc -France

Queen Elizabeth I - England

Sacagawea - United States

Harriet Tubman - United States

Marie Curie - Poland/France

Anna Akhmatova - Russia

Madame Sun Yat-Sen - China

Amelia Earhart - United States

Frida Kahlo - Mexico

Other Details: 50 full-color illustrations 80 pages 8 1/2 x 8 1/2" Published 1996

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Sheree Van Vreede

Hazell has written a fabulous book detailing not only the accomplishments of some of the world's heroines, but also the societies that shaped them. For instance, the section on Harriet Tubman begins with a discussion of her life, then a discussion of slavery in the U.S., and finally a discussion of the Undergound Railroad system. For each heroine there is a map outlining her world. This book makes "herstory" enjoyable for all ages.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-A wonderful introduction to a diverse group of 12 women, from ancient Greece to modern times. Each heroine receives a three-to-four page discussion, along with Hazell's period-style illustrations and a loosely drawn map. Facts, including cultural and historical background, are mixed with the author's informed suppositions. This is especially apparent in the entries describing subjects about whom little is known, such as Lady Murasaki Shikibu (author of The Tale of Genji) and Sacagawea. The chapter about Agnodice, an ancient Greek healer, is based on stories and legends and rounded out with a discussion of early medicine and a description of ancient Athens. Three modern women are also depicted: Anna Akhmatova, Madame Sun Yat-Sen (Soong Ching-ling), and Frida Kahlo. The other six heroines are well-known figures who have received a good amount of biographical attention: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Queen Elizabeth I, Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, and Amelia Earhart. A helpful list for further reading, with adult and juvenile sources, is appended. Though limited as a research tool, this book uses well-chosen details and anecdotes to bring each subject to life.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

Kirkus Reviews

This volume, subtitled "Great Women Through the Ages," offers brief biographies of 12 women who made their marks: Agnodice, Lady Murasaki Shikibu, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Elizabeth I, Sacagawea, Harriet Tubman, Marie Curie, Anna Akhmatova, Madame Sun Yat-Sen, Amelia Earhart, and Frida Kahlo.

Every heroine is covered in a few brief, occasionally superficial paragraphs: a page or two about her life, another spread covering her era and milieu, and a third covering, in one case, "Sacagawea's World," and in Harriet Tubman's case, "Ole Chariot," with a few more details about escapes from slavery. The chapter on Lady Murasaki Shikibu, described as the author of "the world's first novel" (The Tale of Genji), consists of a few sentences on her life story, some commentary on Japanese court life and courting rituals, and general notes on medieval Japanese culture in general. The accompanying map shows sites in Japan that relate to Lady Murasaki's life and Genji, but, like the other maps in the book, is superficial and so primitively rendered as to be useless. The illustrations are another weak point, derivative and sometimes poorly drafted (Sir Francis Drake suffers from this, as does Earhart). The subjects are inherently fascinating, but the presentation is too simplistic to satisfy; the book feels packaged and won't whet readers' appetites for more information.