The Original Cowgirl

February 1, 2015

Gr 2-5-A picture-book biography of Oklahoma trail blazer Lucille Mulhall. Mulhall (1885-1940) was given many nicknames, but she popularized the term cowgirl, and it stuck. She could ride and lasso horses and hog-tie steers better and faster than a man, fascinating onlookers and horrifying her mother with her unladylike behavior. When Theodore Roosevelt saw Mulhall in action, he encouraged her family to allow her to pursue a life in the saddle. Single-minded and fearless, she followed her dream, traveling the country going from one rodeo competition to the next, breaking records and winning prizes. The lighthearted text is matched by expressive, cartoon-style illustrations that show the fear, determination, pride, and jubilation this indomitable woman experienced. A more detailed afterword and time line flesh out Mulhall's life. VERDICT An inspiration to young riders, this title will round out biography sections. For a more complete treatment, look for Sylvia Branzei's Rebel in a Dress: Cowgirls (Running Pr., 2011).-Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2015
The story of famed rodeo queen Lucille Mulhall is retold as a lesson in girl power and following one's dreams. As a girl growing up in the 1890s in Oklahoma, Lucille showed a natural talent for roping and horse riding, pursuits that weren't considered ladylike at the time. But through dedication and the support of her father, Col. Zack Mulhall, Lucille impressed others with her skills, besting boys in competitions and eventually performing for then-vice president Teddy Roosevelt. She toured the world as her fame grew, paving the way for other cowgirls. As told by Lang, who previously wrote about Olympian Alice Coachman (Queen of the Track, illustrated by Floyd Cooper, 2012), Mulhall's life was filled with doubters she proved wrong with undeniable skill. Though there's plenty of history, including a supplemental two-page biography and timeline in the backmatter (though no sources), there's no lack of sass and color. Lang writes colloquially ("Colonel Mulhall reckoned it was a fine idea") without overdoing it. The rodeo scenes contain the right amount of suspense, given Lucille's obvious trajectory. Illustrations are expressively bright and splashy, with amusing expressions on the roped horses and cattle as well as more staid representations of the vast Oklahoma landscape. Mulhall may not be a household name, but Lang makes her memorable for anyone who admires go-getters who beat the odds and break barriers. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

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