13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Stone - Essay Example

Stone assumes a tone of righteous outrage in reporting the idealistic efforts of thirteen women who sought admittance to NASA. NASA’s administration blocked these women through discrimination, jealousy, and the incomprehensible note of one of the most influential men in Washington. Although the Mercury 13 women did not travel to space, it was not a loss. These women set an example for other women to empower their roles in space exploration (Stone 107).

Rappaport, Doreen. Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Hyperion Book CH, 2007.

Summary

Rappaport outlines a biography of legendary activist Martin Luther King mainly through imagery. The text introduces young readers to the world of influential activism and knowledge pertaining to the history of ethnicity in the United States as seen by King. Rappaport laces the renowned words of King into a captivating story of his own life (Rappaport 16). Much-admired artist Bryan Collier uses his stunning talent to capture the attention of the book’s readers and embed an overall picture of King as a man who dreamt of change in the United States and across the globe.

Critical Analysis

Rappaport contrasts her initial writing with quotes by King in an effort to depict the related nature of the problems they experienced while growing up. For instance, the text paints a takeoff of scenarios from King’s literature of how he saw posts reading marking areas for white people only across his childhood neighborhood (Rappaport 7). Rappaport depends on King’s individual words, influence, passion, and nonviolent attitude to create a shining biography. Several illustrations are complicated responses of stained glass windows that Collier addresses at the beginning of the text as representations of King’s life.

Young, Ed. The House Baba Built. New York: Little, Brown Books, 2011.

Summary

The home author Young grew up in did not seem as plain as others would assume. According to Young, a rocking chair could turn into a horse, a roof could turn into a roller floor, and an empty swimming pool could turn into a place for riding scooters and bicycles (Young 21). The house Young’s father constructed changed into any place the family needed. Young narrates how such abilities were useful tools for a family living in a war-stricken China.

Critical Analysis

Young puts down rich descriptions of his odd childhood together with cleverly cutout pictures and foldout pages. These elements turn the book into an interesting read for the young and aged similarly. One can easily relate to Young’s numerous experiences. For instance, picnics and affectionate parents are a widespread norm today (Young 38). Such connections with the author enable readers to accept and comprehend the more peculiar aspects of Young’s childhood like food scarcity and refugees.