Review by Booklist Review
Part biography and part trail guide, this picture book introduces readers to Emma Gatewood, the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail solo. After raising 11 children and reading an article in National Geographic about the trail, Gatewood began her journey in 1955, at the age of 67. She hiked the 2,190-mile trail in the course of four months, acquiring celebrity along the way and renewing public interest in the trail, which had become overgrown and neglected. Author-illustrator Thermes intersperses Gatewood's story with maps showing her progress, notable sites, and trail trivia. While the author does not sugarcoat the rigor required to hike the trail, the arduous details of Gatewood's experiences are saved for a lengthy note at the end. Included in the author's note is a brief history of the Appalachian Trail and how it developed over the years from a regional footpath to a part of the National Park System. This story of determination is also an ode to the principle of walking down a road just to see what one can see.--Dean, Kara Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-This book recounts the story of how Emma "Grandma" Gatewood became the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail from start to finish at the astounding age of 67. Beginning in Georgia, in the year 1955, she hiked all 2,160 miles with very little supplies and just a pair of canvas shoes on her feet. Chronicling Gatewood's journey, Thermes recounts the information in story form, making this a great example of narrative nonfiction. Fact boxes reveal tidbits of information about the trail, while maps show the pathway of her incredible trek. Thermes's artwork, done in watercolor and colored pencil, has a warm homey feel to it. Back matter includes a more detailed biography of Gatewood and some information about the trail. VERDICT Beautiful illustrations and an emphasis on the value of nature, determination, and grit make this a great nonfiction selection for any library.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Cheerful watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations help introduce young readers to Emma Gatewood, who in 1955 at age sixty-seven became the first woman to "thru-hike" the Appalachian Trail solo. Chronicling what was actually Emma's second attempt, Thermes balances her subject's hardships with moments of beauty, exhilaration, and kindness from strangers. An extensive author's note and map/timeline endpapers fill in more details. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Thermes presents the tale of the first woman thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail. Emma Gatewood always found a bit of an escape in rambling through the hills near her farm in Ohio, and with 11 children and the farm and house chores, she sure needed one. In 1955, at the age of 67, Emma headed out on the A.T. She had read in a magazine that no woman had ever hiked the whole thing and that it was easy. Alternating pages tell the tale of Emma's thru-hike and facts about the trail, the backdrop double-page spreads of sectional maps of the A.T. pointing out notable sights and mountains and marking Emma's progress. Dubbed Grandma Gatewood by the kindly people she met along the way, she was the recipient of much trail magic--she carried no stove, little food, and no tent, and she wore through five pairs of canvas sneakers. Thermes presents both the good and the bad about Emma's hike: a bear, rain (a hurricane!), a few injuries, gorgeous scenery, and many new friends. Quite a few of the softly colored, cartoony, watercolor-and-colored pencil spreads will have readers packing their own backpacks, most notably those of McAfee Knob, the backwoods night sky, and the top of Katahdin. Emma is white; among a group of fellow hikers are some people of color. A text-heavy backmatter spread includes a biography of Emma Gatewood, the history of the A.T., and selected sources.An inspiring story for readers of all ages and genders. (Informational picture book. 4-10)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
