Nellie Bly and Investigative Journalism for Kids

May 1, 2015

Gr 4-6-This illuminating book covers the life and career of Nellie Bly (1864-1922) as well as profiling other reform-minded journalists, including Jacob Riis, Ida B. Wells, and Upton Sinclair. Mahoney's descriptive writing informs without overwhelming. Excerpts from the writings of the journalists are woven into the book, offering a taste of the vivid, sensationalized text characteristic of the muckraking genre. Readers will get a rich sense of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when mentally ill patients endured abuse, racial and gender prejudices were flagrant, and many suffered through dire poverty. A dozen activities scattered throughout the text are weak additions, lacking strong relational ties to the content. For instance, the Ida Tarbell chapter includes information on making yogurt parfait because "if [Tarbell] did splurge for a treat, she may have had a delicious dessert called a parfait." The vivid illustrations consist of period photos and ephemera. VERDICT A worthy purchase.-Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Libraries, NC

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 1, 2015
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* With excellent content, an appealing layout, and an exciting topic, this book is a joy to read and explore. The first four chapters focus on Nelly Bly's career as an investigative reporter, or muckraker. Highlights of her professional list include being a foreign correspondent in Mexico, traveling around the world in 72 days, and masquerading as a mentally ill woman in order to report on the terrible conditions in a mental institution. The remaining chapters cover other muckrakers, both contemporaries of Nelly Bly, such as Jacob Riis, Ida B. Wells, and Upton Sinclair, as well as modern reporters, such as Amy Goodman and Bill Moyers. Sidebars amplify the already informative, lucid text, and eye-catching photographs impart historical context and give a powerful sense of the kind of conditions Bly was writing about. The 21 activities interspersed throughout the book are well written, with clear directions and easy-to-acquire materials, and they help cultivate practical skills and produce useful items. With comprehensive back matter and plenty of sources for further exploration, this title is tailor-made for classroom use, though individuals will likely find it appealing as well. Pair with Sue Macy's Bylines: A Photobiography of Nellie Bly (2009) for an in-depth look at the pioneering journalist.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)