Nellie vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race around the World by Kate Hannigan

Nellie vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race around the World Reviews

• 
  Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance

  It's Nellie Bly's birthday, so it seems like a perfect day to read and review this beautiful adventure of the true story of a race between two famous women journalists of their day to see who could beat the other in a race around the world. Nellie Bly was the more famous and popular journalist, and Elizabeth Bisland was the more poetic journalist. They both set out in opposite directions to see who could make it all the way around the world first in less time than the character in Jules Verne's beloved novel, Around the World in Eighty Days.
  
  The illustrations are delightful and the text is compelling. The book is full of quotes from newspapers of the day about each woman's trip and from the two women themselves. There is also information about the complete lives of both women.
• 
  Kathryn

  I first read about the amazing race of Nellie and Elizabeth in the picture book
  A Race Around the World: The True Story of Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland. It's an incredible story and I write more about my thoughts regarding their adventures in my review of that book. I'm pressed for time now so will keep my review of version of their story brief. I enjoyed it, but I preferred the storytelling and illustrations in "A Race Around the World" -- I felt that one captured more of their personalities and the spirit of the race. In "Nellie vs. Elizabeth" I appreciate the quotes interspersed throughout (from both Nellie and Elizabeth as well as various newspaper articles reporting on their adventures) though some of the language in them is a bit above the target audience and it makes for an awkward read-aloud. The back matter here shines with further information about Nellie and Elizabeth, including a photograph of each (I am so glad the author searched until she found one of Elizabeth!), an extensive list of works cited, an Illustrator's Note, and a Timeline of Women Investigative Journalists (starting in 1889 with Nellie and Elizabeth) including some photographs. Good stuff here! Oh, and don't miss the "Round the World With Nellie Bly" game, printed in The New York World on January 26th, 1890 -- my kids loved that image!
• 
  Cindy Dobrez

  A fascinating story of a competitive race around the world in 1889 by two women. Primary source quotes from many newspapers and magazines are a perfect addition to help tell the story about these female journalists. The backmatter, including a timeline with photos of famous female investigative journalists, is excellent. Only 6 hours for Elizabeth to plan and pack for her publisher's spur of the moment request to try to best Nellie? It takes me longer than that to select the books I'm taking on a week's vacation to sit on a beach! #TeamElizabeth
• 
  Laura

  While I had heard of Nellie Bly, famous for her newspaper reporting in her day, her trip around the world, her stint in an insane asylum, I had never heard of Elizabeth Bisland. And that is because she lost the race.
  
  Yes, Nellie Bly was racing to beat the Jules Verne book “Around the World in 80 Days” for her newspaper, The New York World, but Elizabeth was racing to beat her going the opposite direction, for Cosmopolitan magazine.
  
  Nellie made it in 72 days, and this was before the airplane, so it was all train and steam ship, and such. Elizabeth made it in 76 days.
  
  The pictures are bright, and nice to look at. And the back matter explains both women’s careers after this race. Nellie went on a lecture tour, Elizabeth went off to a friend's house in England for a year. It is hinted that she only lost the race because she was sabotaged.
  
  Amazing what you can learn by reading picture books.
  
  
  Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
• 
  Keiko

  I learned about the fascinating story of two remarkable female journalists from this title. While this fast-paced story is absorbing, I couldn't help questioning about the part that Elizabeth bought "silky dresses, shoes, and kimonos" while she was in Hong Kong. Why did she purchase kimonos in Hong Kong? Is it based on the fact, or is it a stereotypical mash-up of East Asian cultures..? The illustrations portraying Japan appears to be another mash-up of East Asian countries. While these details are minor parts in the story, it is a disappointment to me that such details are still portrayed inaccurately and carelessly in 2022.
• 
  Reading_ Tamishly

  I know it's a children's storybook but I wish it was a little more elaborate in both the artwork as well as with the lines.
  
  I appreciate the stories as most of us would not know about these daring personalities if not for such books.
  
  A good one to read to kids.
  
  Thank you, authors and publisher, for the advance reading copy.
• 
  Raven Black

  Fun story about two very different women, but who found a way to make history.
• 
  Vicki

  Dang, these ladies really are out here, going on world travels with a few hours’ notice 😰 also, I feel like Nellie Bly and her monkey, casually mentioned here, require their own picture book 👀
• 
  Eunice R

  From the 'get go' (the enthusiastically illustrated front cover and beyond), of this book is a rivetingly exciting read. What's more, its a biography of an almost forgotten time and of the 'actresses' who enacted a most adventurous drama on the world stage. These two courageous women, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, female journalists who came to the fore as pioneers of their time where female anything was NOT the norm except in the domestic sphere, electrified their newpaper readership, and of course, the bottom line, boosted sales. Inadvertantly, Nellie began a race with Elizabeth in a whirlwind around-the-world in fewer than 80 days, audacious trip, which involved several boats and trains there and back during the 1889-1890 years. It was a remarkable eye-opening trip of a lifetime for both women. I won't tell you who won, you'll have to find that out for yourself but they did open the world to women, showing that they could be just as innovative and daring as their male counterparts. This true biographical tale for young readers is a fabulous read even for adults and earns my 5-star-of-approval opinion.
  
  Included in the book is a very interesting Timeline of Women from 1889 which lists several other female Investigative Journalists and their exploits. Truly educational as well as entertaining.
  
  ~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
  
  January 2022
  
  Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Jill

  In 1889, two women journalists set out to beat the elapsed time of Jules Verne’s (fictional) 80-day trip around the world. Nellie Bly, age 25, and Elizabeth Bisland, 28, working for the New York World and Cosmopolitan Magazine respectively, left New York in opposite directions to make the trip. Nellie Bly did not actually know another woman was racing her until she learned of it in Hong Kong.
  
  The story recounts highlights from the trips of each woman, comparing and contrasting their experiences. The two women were dazzled by what they saw.
  
  From Asia, Nellie Bly wrote, “If I loved and married, I would say to my mate: ‘Come, I know where Eden is’ . . . and desert the land of my birth for Japan.” In the Arabian desert, Elizabeth Bisland marveled, “I may never see this again, this world, where . . . the light of night and of day have a new meaning; where one is drenched and steeped in color and perfume . . .”
  
  Nellie made it first, after “seventy-two days, six hours, and eleven minutes.” Elizabeth encountered weather problems on the ocean, “and finally drifted into New York’s harbor nearly one week later.” But she cheered for Nellie Bly.
  
  The author contends that the true winner was “Everyone! Because Nellie and Elizabeth made the wide world suddenly feel smaller. And they showed that women - whether outgoing or introverted, rough-edged or refined - could be just as curious, capable, and courageous as any man.”
  
  The book includes brief and enthusiastic quotations from periodicals at the time. It ends with an Author’s Note, Illustrator’s Note, photos, and timelines relating to other women investigative journalists.
  
  Illustrations by Rebecca Gibbon reflect the historical research she put into the story.
  
  Evaluation: Readers aged 7 and over will enjoy the breathless pace of the narration as the women race each other to set a record, and to show the world that women can do it all.
  
  Rating: 4.5/5
• 
  Ryan

  This is about the true life adventure of Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland. Over 100 years ago everyone was reading a book called around the World in 80 days. Nellie Bly looking for an amazing story says she can do it and do it faster and she did. She was not only the first woman but the first person to beat the famous 80 days around the world. This may seem like a small feat in our modern society, but at the time this was major. All the newspapers followed her but she wasn’t the only one. Unbeknownst to her for most of her journey she had another reporter doing the same thing in the opposite direction. Elizabeth Bisland was the complete opposite of Nelly Bly. However she took on this quest bound and determined to do her best. This was an interesting look at both women and I really enjoyed the quotes from various historical newspapers that are included. It’s a nice antidote about historical figures we don’t normally hear about. However I find that the story with the quotes all together make it a bit convoluted and a little crazy. Overall I liked the book I just didn’t love it.
• 
  Margaret

  On April 7, 2022 the nomination by President Joe Biden of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court was confirmed in the United States Senate. There is cause for jubilation as she is the first Black woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Out of 115 justices serving on the Supreme Court in history, Judge Ketanji Brown will be the sixth woman (and 116th justice). Upon her swearing into office, another marker in history will be met. For the first time in the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, four women will serve together.
  Women's History Month 2022 may have concluded one week ago, but April 7, 2022 and other accomplishments by women are to be celebrated as often as possible. Nellie Vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race around the World (Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books For Young Readers, February 15, 2022) written by Kate Hannigan with illustrations by Rebecca Gibbon is an account of an incredible journey when you consider the historical period in which it took place and at that time women in the United States did not even have the right to vote!
  
  My full recommendation:
  https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
• 
  Lellie Reads

  Super great and informative children's non-fiction about two incredible female journalists in the 19th century. Nellie, inspired by Around the World in 80 days, decided to travel around the globe in 75 days for a piece. A rival firm sent their own female journalist on her own trip around the globe as well at the same time, but in the opposite direction. Nellie became the first person, man or woman, ever to circle the globe in that time.
  
  What a great story! Yet another set of women who made history that I've never heard about.
  
  Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review
• 
  Susan

  This picture book tells the true story of two adventurous women (Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland) racing each other around the globe. The varied settings provide ample illustration opportunity, and quotes from both ladies are woven throughout. It's not clear to me what made Elizabeth decide to set aside her reluctance and go on this journey, so that seemed a bit abrupt to me. However, the ending felt very satisfying and put this journey into broader historical context. Kids who yearn to travel the world will likely enjoy this book!
  
  I accessed a digital ARC via Edelweiss.
• 
  Katherine

  Inspired by Jules Verne's book "Around the World in 80 Days" two ladies in 19th century USA decide to put the title to the test and determine whether they can beat the 80 day deadline. Follow these two intrepid travelers as they girdle the globe and challenge social norms of the day. Book ends with a short biography on each lady and some facts on the history of female investigative journalists. An eye-opening read for any young lady.
• 
  Jessica

  I loved this book!
  It was interesting and I had NO idea that these two women existed IRL and made these journeys simultaneously!
  I also loved the snippets from the real newspaper publications sprinkled throughout the book. My kids also found the illustrations bright and charming.
  We read this together before bed one night and now they’re both begging to go to the library and find more information about these two courageous women!
  Thanks to NetGalley and he publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Melanie

  I won a copy of this picture book from a Goodreads giveaway. My review is honest and impartial to this fact.
  I went into this cautiously because I honestly dislike narratives that focus on women being petty to each other. But that is not what this is. Although I will say that parents and educators SHOULD absolutely take the time while reading this to children to point out that people of color (regardless of gender) would NOT have had the privilege of being able to do what these two women did (and have a conversation about that) I did like this and what the message of it was. I really liked the supplemental material at the end celebrating women in journalism. It did read a tiny bit dry for children, but I forgive it because I think a good reader can make it work. The illustrations were fun and detailed enough to evoke conversations on their own. Overall a definite recommendation from me.
• 
  Ellie Dynek

  Prior to reading this book, I'd actually never heard of this great race! I'm a HUGE fan of Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days", so I was very intrigued by the idea of two women racing each other around the world. They each had their own way of circling the globe, but regardless of which path they took or how long it took each woman, it's amazing that two single women in the mid 19th century were able to make this tremendous journey by themselves!
• 
  Emma

  Just great. Definitely a Rise book! Author’s note gives more biographical information about both journalists (which is nice because Elizabeth Bisland is much less well known!), timeline of women investigative journalists (including Ida B. Wells), illustrator’s note, and bibliography and credits.
  
  Very well done story about Bly and Bisland’s race. Perfectly distilled for picture book. Good page design and integration of primary sources. Loved it.
• 
  Erin

  Picture book that briefly describes the journey Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland made around the world, going in opposite directions. Highlights a few points in time along the 72-76 day journey. Contains quotes from the time on many pages, author's note with additional information on the women, a timeline of women investigative journalists, and bibliography.
  
  While I wish it was longer and hit more than just a few highlights, it's a short enjoyable biographical picture book.
• 
  Teresa

  Fascinating look at two very different women, fighting against and within a male-dominated field and world. I wonder if they ever met
  
  What caught my attention was the thanks to the museum in Japan for the photo of Elizabeth-can you imagine how thrilling for the author? Elizabeth wrote a biography of Lafcadio Hearn