(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kate Gardiner. Taking its title from Eleanor Roosevelt's 1958 remarks delivered at the United Nations about the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights she had helped champion ("Where, after all, do universal rights begin? In small places, close to home"), this book informs young children of their own rights and responsibilities as humans. Hopkinson's text (also inspired by that Declaration) uses active first-person language: "I am free to choose what I think and believe. And it's up to me to listen and respect how others think and believe too." Each assertion is direct and powerful, with sections starting with "Me" and then expanding to "My School and Community" and on to "My Country and World." Gardiner's gouache and pencil illustrations, assembled digitally, have a soft color palette with pops of yellow and tomato red and demonstrate human rights playing out across a variety of communities. Front and back matter pay tribute to Roosevelt's work, including resources for learning more about her and the United Nations. This elegantly and accessibly presented book empowers the youngest humans and their accompanying grownups to recognize their rights and safeguard them by extending them equally to others.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

(2) 4-6 In an alternate-universe 1898 New York City, cousins Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt unite to solve the mystery of the ghost who has recently "erupted" in their aunt Bye's house. Here ghost eruptions are common; professional diagnosticians determine if spirits are Friendlies, Unawares, or Vengefuls. The one haunting Aunt Bye's house is initially categorized as a Friendly--so why the vicious pranks, the cruel auditory hallucinations, the attempted poisoning of Aunt Bye, and worse? Salerni skillfully incorporates facts about the extended Roosevelt family (Theodore's grief over his first wife's death; the burgeoning romance between Eleanor and Franklin) into a lively and inventive ghost story/mystery/historical fiction mashup. Chapters alternate between Eleanor's and Alice's point of views, allowing readers insight into each young woman's thoughts, emotions, and personality. Introverted and awkward, Eleanor longs to continue her education in London and escape life with her oppressive Grandmother Hall; daring, self-confident, outrageously misbehaving Alice misses the mother she never knew and longs for her distant father's attention. Initially not at all close, the two bond over their shared mission to solve the mystery and dispatch the ghost, and in so doing uncover a second haunting and a dark family secret. Although the novel is engrossing right from the start, tensions build very quickly to a thrilling, Ghostbusters-esque climax, and readers will never think about FDR in quite the same way again after seeing him swing an iron poker at a ghost--though in fact it is Eleanor and Alice who finish the job. Who you gonna call? An author's note provides additional information about the Roosevelt family.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(2) 4-6 Cooper traces Roosevelt's path from privileged upbringing to fierce social-justice crusader. The First Lady evolves from a suffragist into a staunch advocate for people of color, supporting anti-lynching legislation, integrating the armed forces, and equal benefits from New Deal programs. Accompanied by historical photos and excerpts from Roosevelt's speeches and letters, this compact biography is a worthwhile introduction to one of America's most prominent activists. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Eboni Njoku | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(3) 4-6 History Pals series. Illustrated by Mark Fearing. When Nolan and Olive's time machine (Ben Franklin's in My Bathroom!) transports Eleanor Roosevelt to their home, the siblings learn much in the way of attitude and forbearance from the first lady. In addition to black-and-white spot art throughout, four graphic-novel-style flashback episodes from Roosevelt's life (explained further in the back matter) help incorporate historical information within the funny contemporary plot. Bib.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) K-3 Zoom In on First Ladies series. These starter biographies have fact-driven texts illustrated with uncaptioned photos (or historical art in Washington). The choppy writing is easy to read, but the volumes provide little in the way of substantive background about these First Ladies. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on First Ladies titles: Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Martha Washington, Michelle Obama, and Nancy Reagan.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) YA America's Great Political Families series. This well-written, thoroughly researched series delves into the lives and careers of presidential families, providing in-depth looks at multiple family members. From family histories and drama to political scandals, criticisms, and maneuvers, each subject is explored in a clear, objective, and engaging way. Each volume includes archival photos, a family tree, and appended "fun facts." Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following America's Great Political Families titles: The Kennedys, The Roosevelts, The Bushes, and The Clintons.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Victor Juhasz. When the King and Queen of England visit in June 1939, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt decides to introduce them to an American picnic staple: the hot dog. Juhasz's caricature figures range from giggle-worthy (the Queen eats hers with a fork and knife) to odd and unflattering (poor Eleanor). Kimmelman's amusing historical story delicately explains the Great Depression and touches on soon-to-follow WWII.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gary Kelley. Rappaport (Martin's Big Words, Abe's Honest Words) uses Roosevelt's own quotes to define her growth from insecure, unloved child to reluctant but forceful political voice to respected citizen of the world. The text outlines Eleanor's developing concern for others and lessening self-consciousness. A triple-frame illustration of Eleanor addressing an audience convincingly conveys her metamorphosis and increasing confidence. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2009

(4) YA Essential Lives series. This series offers serviceable if bland biographies of people famous in a variety of arenas. The writing is straightforward, and frequent sidebars help with historical context. Some photographs and archival materials also break up the pages. The volume on the one contemporary subject in this group (Jobs) is less assured than the others. There are six other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Lives titles: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Steve Jobs, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lucretia Mott, and Zora Neale Hurston.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Sterling Biographies series. Quick-paced chapters and well-chosen images of photos, paintings, documents, etc. (watch for Lincoln's business card), make for engaging, if mostly laudatory, biographies. Sidebars flesh out the historical contexts but, throughout, quotes aren't cited. Eleanor is the most compelling: readers get a real sense of this author/activist/First Lady's strong-willed personality. Kennedy and Franklin omit their alleged affairs, but Jefferson discusses Sally Hemings. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Sterling Biographies titles: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, George Washington, John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 This admiring biography of the woman who transformed the role of First Lady provides a detailed account of Roosevelt's life. The thoughtfully designed volume includes running text on the verso pages and collages of captioned photographs on the recto pages. Quotations and a caricatured Eleanor (who narrates through speech bubbles) also appear throughout, making some of the pages look crowded. Directory, timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Childhood of Famous Americans series. Illustrated by Anna DiVito. Young Eleanor is "scared of everything," so her aunt's request for ice from the dark, spider-ridden basement's icebox is a real challenge. Eleanor bravely faces her fears and learns a life lesson. The text's description of her leap from scary-basement-defeater to First Lady is a stretch, but the story makes Roosevelt a relatable figure. Timeline.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Uncondescendingly, Harness begins with the Roosevelts' privileged early lives, then emphasizes their groundbreaking efforts for social justice and wartime leadership amid complex personal lives, including Eleanor's unhappy childhood and domineering mother-in-law and Franklin's polio, but excluding some other difficulties. Though Harness's color illustrations are effective, the sepia-toned ones convey even more emotion. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Who Was...? series. Illustrated by Elizabeth Wolf. This look at the first lady is a welcome alternative to the just-the-facts biographies that give no indication that their subject has an interior life. This book explores Roosevelt's character--as informed by her privileged upbringing, mother's inaccessibility, etc.--as much as it examines her public service. Throughout are expressive black-and-white illustrations. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Breakthrough Biographies series. Mostly black-and-white captioned photographs and art depict the childhood, education, and accomplishments of these two women. Quotes and excerpts from their letters add interest to the straightforward, readable text. Special features include a trivia page and a page devoted to five notable female contemporaries for each subject. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Breakthrough Biographies titles: The Story of Clara Barton and The Story of Eleanor Roosevelt.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Called Chig because she's "'bout the size of a chigger bite," the petite protagonist starts school at age eight, suggests a way to help her disadvantaged community when a derailed train spills cans of food, and is responsible for bringing a post office to her tiny southern Indiana town. Set during the Depression era, the episodic story is a bit heavy with Southern-fried atmosphere, but Chig is a kind-hearted and appealing character.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 History Maker Bios series. With soft illustrations on almost every page, the first-ever first lady is presented as a gracious hostess and a selfless helpmate to George. Beyond that, little about her own life and personality is included--the emphasis is on the historic events of the emerging United States. A period portrait of young Martha Custis (Washington), an afterword, and a timeline are included.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 A small but significant project of the New Deal was resettling carefully selected impoverished coal-mining families to the purpose-built community of Arthurdale. Based on documents and interviews, this book tells the story of Arthurdale and both the support and opposition it engendered with Mrs. Roosevelt as its stalwart patron. Black-and-white photos accompany the straightforward text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Though the prose is more competent than inspired, the biographies of this diverse group of notables adequately traces their personal and professional achievements. Occasional information boxes contain material that supplements the texts, which are illustrated with black-and-white (and occasional color) photos and reproductions. Both Hendrix and Latifah include discographies. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 When the bank forecloses on her family's home during the Depression, eleven-year-old Margo writes to Eleanor Roosevelt for help. The girl's work and faith pay off when her family receives an emergency loan. Historical details are smoothly woven into the text, and Margo is a strong heroine. The (extremely) happy ending is substantiated by a note explaining that Mrs. Roosevelt saved the author's father's home through a New Deal relief program.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth