The Nerviest Girl in the World

May 1, 2020
A spunky preteen girl goes from ostrich rancher to stunt performer in turn-of-the-20th-century moving pictures. Pearl doesn't think about much beyond her family's ranch until Mr. Corrigan, a movie director, brings his Flying Q Film Company to Lemon Springs, California. First he hires Pearl's older brothers--cowboys all--to act in his silent moving pictures, but when he sees the stunts the 11-year-old can perform, he's quick to sign on this "nervy" girl. Pearl narrates in short, action-filled chapters, packing in descriptions of caring for ill-tempered ostriches, her risky performances, and plenty of details about the craft of silent filmmaking (including why the film industry moved out west). While stunts are second nature to Pearl, she wonders what it means to act. It comes easily to her nemesis and on-set sister, town gal Mary Mason; their jealous-turned-respectful interactions also drive the plot. Expressive, black line drawings depict some of Pearl's feats as well as an apparently all-white cast. (The Irish-immigrant cameraman does acknowledge the theft of Native lands by white settlers during filming). An author's note provides more information about the industry, early stuntwoman Pearl White (the inspiration for Wiley's protagonist), and La Mesa (the inspiration for Lemon Springs) and its history of filmmaking--and ostrich farming! For another look at a girl in silent movies, this time on the East Coast, pair with Anne Nesbet's Daring Darleen: Queen of the Screen (2020). Plucky fun. (Historical fiction. 8-12)

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May 15, 2020
Grades 3-6 Wiley channels the spirit of silent-film star Pearl White in this lively yarn about a rancher's daughter roped into the movie business. This Pearl?Pearl Donnelly?could ride a horse before she could run, and she wouldn't have it any other way. She loves living on her family's ranch in Lemon Springs, California, though she wouldn't mind if someone else had to tend their ornery ostriches. But that was before Mr. Corrigan came to town to film moving pictures called westerns. Pearl's older brothers quickly get work performing stunts in his movies, and Pearl accidentally gets a break when the director sees her hold her own on a spooked horse. Soon, Pearl's jumping out of windows and riding like lightning for the camera. Wiley's novel is a thrill ride excitingly grounded in film history, which is discussed in a fascinating afterword. Best of all is Pearl, a treasure of a protagonist whom readers will love for her candor and bravery as much as for her willingness to admit to her own failings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

June 22, 2020
Pearl, 11, lives on a cattle and ostrich ranch outside San Diego, where she helps to tend temperamental ostriches, learned to ride horses early on, and rivaled her older brothers on horseback by the time she was nine. The brothers’ advanced riding skills get them recruited to play “Death-Defying Cowboys” in the new moving pictures. When Pearl visits the set and her horse spooks, her ability to remount the galloping animal earns her a part in the director’s next film. Pearl learns to act on the job (“Can you show me scared instead of stomachache-y?”) and begins her career doing parts that require stunts, such as jumping out of a window and even shinnying down a rope out of a hot air balloon. Along the way, she discovers a passion for acting and navigates relationships with her difficult brother, as well as Mary, a town girl jealous of Pearl’s film roles. Lively illustrations by Deas mirror the heart, humor, and bravery of Pearl herself. Set in the early 20th century and inspired by real-life silent-film star Pearl White, Wiley’s (The Prairie Thief) vivid snapshot of cinema’s early days, as well as Pearl’s life on the ranch, offers warmth and wit. Ages 8–12. Agent: Liza Voges, Eden Street Literary.

August 1, 2020

Gr 4-7-Set in early 20th-century San Diego, Pearl lives on a cattle and ostrich ranch. One day her brothers' advanced horseback riding skills get them recruited to be "Death-Defying Cowboys" in a director's moving pictures. While visiting the set, Pearl's horse gets frightened, and her unique way of remounting her horse gets her noticed. Soon, she too becomes an actress. From jumping out of windows to sliding down ropes, she discovers a love for stunts. Life as an actress, however, isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her relationship with Mary Mason, a girl in town, is strained at best, and Pearl's mama doesn't like her doing stunts. Can Pearl learn to balance her acting with real life? Inspirational, funny, full of bravery, and based off a true story, Wiley does a great job of bringing the time period to life. The characters are engaging, realistic, and witty. VERDICT Readers who like historical fiction, nuanced heroines, and humor will enjoy this book. Recommended for libraries where funny historical fiction is popular.-Kira Moody, Salt Lake County Lib. Svcs.

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