She persisted Oprah Winfrey

Gr 2--6--Two more volumes in the inspirational chapter book "She Persisted" series. Helen Keller, born in 1880, contracted a fever when she was just a year and half, causing irreversible vision and hearing loss. Keller's parents sought the help of Anne Sullivan, a special teacher from the Perkins School for the Blind. Keller learned to read, write, speak, and read lips. Finally able to communicate, she took it upon herself to help those less fortunate, write 14 books, and graduate from Radcliffe College with honors. She changed the way people viewed those with hearing and vision loss. Oprah Winfrey was born with talent, intelligence, and a whole lot of grit. Memorizing scripture, reading and speaking well by age three, and requesting to skip kindergarten by writing her teacher a note stating, "I do not think I belong here" were just some of young Oprah's accomplishments. She endured poverty, sexual abuse by a cousin, and a stillborn child by the time she was just 18 years old. Determined to overcome, she found success by going to college and landing a job as Nashville's first Black television anchor. From there, Oprah's success grew with her ability to speak candidly about her feelings on air. Black-and-white illustrations are peppered throughout both books. VERDICT A must purchase for all libraries.--Tracy Cronce, Stevens Point Pub. Sch. District, WI

In this series of chapter-book biographies, the common theme is persistence, and that word certainly applies to Oprah Winfrey. Born to a single mother in Kosciusko, Mississippi, during the Jim Crow era, Oprah was raised by her grandparents on their farm. Once she started school, it was obvious she was bright. However, Oprah's life was unsettled, as she moved to Wisconsin to join her mother, then two years later to Tennessee to live with her father. Her father was strict about school and church attendance, two areas that gave Oprah opportunities to excel. Her love of reading was noticed, and she was recommended for the Upward Bound program and a rigorous high school. Nevertheless, she struggled with her behavior. During those tumultuous years, Oprah discovered the writings of poet Maya Angelou, and they helped her settle in to schoolwork and speech tournaments. That led to her getting an after-school job at a radio station, then a TV station during college. A move to a Baltimore station led to her success in the interview format and ultimately The Oprah Winfrey Show and international fame. This is a lively introduction to the life of a woman who beat many odds to become successful. Award-winning author Watson describes Oprah's triumphs as well as her difficulties, including sexual abuse, in age-appropriate prose. Young readers who know only the accomplished philanthropist will take inspiration from knowing of her beginnings. Flint's black-and-white illustrations enhance the text. A highly recommended addition to this stellar series. (suggested activities, acknowledgments, references) (Biography. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Dear Reader, As Sally Ride and Marian Wright Edelman both powerfully said, "You can't be what you can't see." When Sally Ride said that, she meant that it was hard to dream of being an astronaut, like she was, or a doctor or an athlete or anything at all if you didn't see someone like you who already had lived that dream. She especially was talking about seeing women in jobs that historically were held by men. I wrote the first She Persisted and the books that came after it because I wanted young girls--and children of all genders--to see women who worked hard to live their dreams. And I wanted all of us to see examples of persistence in the face of different challenges to help inspire us in our own lives. I'm so thrilled now to partner with a sisterhood of writers to bring longer, more in-depth versions of these stories of women's persistence and achievement to readers. I hope you enjoy these chapter books as much as I do and find them inspiring and empowering. And remember: If anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you. Warmly, Chelsea Clinton TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Every Person Is Born with Talent Chapter 2: Armed with Faith and Hope Chapter 3: The Caged Bird Sings of Freedom Chapter 4: Let Faith Be the Bridge Chapter 5: Astonish a Mean World Chapter 6: Phenomenal Woman How You Can Persist References Chapter 1 Every Person Is Born with Talent Oprah Winfrey always loved telling stories. When she was a young girl, she didn't have a lot of money or a lot of fancy clothes, but she had her voice and she used her voice in big and small ways. Oprah used her voice to tell stories to anyone--and anything--that would listen. Especially to the animals on the farm in her small Mississippi town. Oprah considered the chickens and piglets her friends. She named each one and told them stories as she fed them. Sometimes, she made up grand tales. Other times, she retold the sermons she heard at church. Oprah was good at remembering what the pastor said on Sunday mornings, and she was good at memorizing the scriptures her grandmother taught her. By the age of three, Oprah was able to read. She loved reading and speaking words, and people all around town loved hearing her. No one knew that one day she would be called the "Queen of Talk." No one knew that one day, her voice would be heard all over the world. Excerpted from She Persisted: Oprah Winfrey by Renée Watson, Chelsea Clinton, Renée Watson All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.