TALKIN' ABOUT BESSIE

By Nikki Grimes Illustrated by E. B. Lewis

Image Credit: www.librarything.com

1. Bibliography 

Grimes, Nikki, and Earl B. Lewis. Talkin' about Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman. New York: Orchard, 2002. Print. ISBN 9780439352437

2. Plot Summary
Elizabeth Coleman is the first African American female that was licensed to fly a plane in the United States. Her story is told through the voices of people who knew her including her parents, flight instructor from France, and many others. Bessie was a girl who dreamed big and believed she could do anything she set her mind to including the being the first African American female to fly. 

3. Critical Analysis
TALKIN' ABOUT BESSIE is a biography of Elizabeth Coleman. The story is told through the voices of people who knew her and her dream of being an aviator. Nikki Grimes writes the story in free verse and dialect of the people attending her memorial service. The story is told chronologically and builds to a final entry of Bessie telling her experience of flying. Grimes includes source references to Bessie Coleman and aviation on the last page. 

Many cultural markers are present in the story. Many of the cultural markers include dialect of people such as: "Yessir! You might could say Bessie bore some watchin'"  We also see reference to the "one-room Colored schoolhouse" and the many chores that Bessie had to complete including the laundry done by using the washboard. 

E. B. Lewis' illustrations include full pages that show events of Bessie's life including her singing with the University band at her local church. The illustrations show people of African descent and many of the obstacles Bessie had to overcome to become a pilot. This included the many chores and cotton picking. The illustrations help the reader to see who Bessie was and her joy of flying.

I found this story to be very interesting and would be a good read for children in 3rd grade and above. This story helps the readers to understand the many struggles of African Americans.

4. Review Excepts and Awards
~2003 Coretta Scott King Author Honor

~2003 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

~HORN BOOK (3/2003): "Watercolors on facing pages evoke each incident and often soften the harshness in Coleman's life. Grimes separates fact from fiction in an introduction and an endnote. Like Bessie, this tribute to her life soars."

~KIRKUS (10/2002): " The handsome design, large format, and beautiful artwork make this very attractive, but the lack of source notes or clarification of what's fictionalized-especially quotes-and the strange opening scene set at Bessie's wake as she speaks to her mother from her photo on the mantel, will leave many readers confused."

5. Connections
~This story could be read as an introduction to the life of Bessie Coleman. After reading the story, students could research more about her and use a web 2.0 tool to share their findings.