Alice across America The story of the first women's cross-country road trip

In 1909, long before roadside diners or even very many paved roads, Alice Ramsey and three friends drove from New York to California, becoming the first women to complete a cross-country American road trip. Their adventures included flat tires and overheated radiators, plus bedbugs and a two-hour delay in Nebraska while the local sheriff searched for an escaped criminal. This extended-length nonfiction picture book focuses on Alice's determination to show that "a lady could drive just as well as a man. Or even better," and covers the important aspects of the trip without bogging it down. Colorful cartoon illustrations in a naive style, combined with the slightly oversize format, capture the excitement and movement of her historic road trip. Endnotes give further details and photos of Alice's life and trip and a brief history of America's highway system. A selected bibliography is included. An illustrated map on the endpapers shows the route and highlights of the trip. Focusing on a little-known slice of history, this is a solid addition to nonfiction picture-book collections.

Gr 2--5--Marsh describes the fascinating story of the first cross-country trip made by women. Alice Ramsey fell in love with driving when she first got behind the wheel of an automobile. When Ramsey earned a perfect score in an endurance test, she caught the eye of the publicist for the Maxwell-Briscoe Company. He proposed that she drive a new Maxwell automobile from New York to California to prove that the car was so well built, even a lady could handle it. Ramsey and three of her friends embarked on a two-month journey that took them across the country. Historical details about cars, roadways, and gender bias are incorporated throughout the story and enhance the plot. The author's note includes more information about Ramsey, her companions, the journey, and photos of the women during the trip. Ford's illustrations are a true asset to the text and evoke a sense of the early 1900s. Most of the illustrations are large two-page spreads that provide a sense of the wide-open spaces the women traveled. VERDICT A fun and fascinating story that includes many favorites: cars, strong women, and little-known historical facts. A must-have for a school or public library collection.--V. Lynn Christiansen, Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC

If a man can do it, a woman can, too!In 1909, Alice Ramsey, an earlyand uniquely femaleadopter of the automobile, was asked by a carmaker to drive from New York to California in order to show that his cars "were so well built and easy to operate that even a lady could drive one safely." Dedicated and excited, she and three friends set off on a tumultuous road trip of nearly 4,000 miles (many of them unpaved) in a vehicle of the time that lacked most of the conveniences and many of the safety measures we are familiar with today and became the first woman to drive across the country. Full of relevant detail and steeped in mild suspense, this tale provides accessible historical context in terms of women's rights and roles as well as information about the development of the automobile in the endnotes. While driving cross country to advertise for a manufacturer may not qualify as the most important achievement in women's history, this kid-friendly selection shows the power of resilience and determination, presents an interest and accomplishment that runs counter to gender stereotypes, and will draw in those interested in cars, history, and/or women's rights with its straightforward yet energetic text and stylized illustrations.A fine choice that showcases a strong woman inspired to succeed. (author's note, bibliography, map) (Picture book/biography. 6-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.