Bound To Stay Bound

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Bulletin for the Center... - 06/01/2010 Children fascinated by the experiences of American giant Martin Bates in Andreasen’s The Giant of Seville (BCCB 5/07) can now meet his female counterpart, Ella Kate Ewing. The story is told in Ewing’s fictionalized voice, and she relates her astonishing, ahem, rise to fame with humor and dignity. As her parents attempt to provide as normal a life as possible for their rapidly growing daughter and her classmates come to accept her as one of the gang, she manages to feel blessedly average until thoughtless comments from strangers hurt her feelings and send her running for cover. Eventually, though, she embraces her difference and gladly joins exhibitions for which she is remarkably well paid. In Klise’s engaging portrayal, Ewing is neither a noble freak nor a pitiable figure making the most of a badly dealt hand but rather a very normal if very tall lady who comes to relish the advantages of her height and the many opportunities for travel and socialization denied to most of her nineteenth-century female peers. Illustrations are a bit cartoonish and bland, and they certainly prettify the plain Ewing who appears in a photograph at the close of the book, but there’s enough good-natured humor in the scenes to encourage viewers to laugh right along with Ella Kate. An endnote expands on her relatively short but eventful life. EB - Copyright 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2010 K-Gr 4— When she starts to grow at an alarming rate at the age of seven, no one can predict what life may have in store for Ella Kate, a country girl who becomes a "real, live giant." Self-conscious about her abnormal height, Ella hunches down to look smaller, tries unsuccessfully to place her long legs under her desk, and suffers the teasing of thoughtless classmates, feeling "too big for the world." By the time she reaches 8 feet, in 1889, 17-year-old Ella is invited to work as an attraction in a Chicago museum, and, despite her father's protective instincts, takes the offer. Thus begins a life of fame, fortune, and worldwide adventure for the girl once labeled a "freak." Told in first person, this is a delightful tale about an extraordinary young woman who embraced her difference. The story is well told in straightforward prose with lots of dialogue, and Ella's strength of character shines through. The stylized acrylic illustrations add much to the text, using bright colors and emphasizing Ella's height from various perspectives. A sepia-toned photo of the real Ella and an author's note are included. This is an excellent choice for youngsters who have ever had to deal with being different. It would also work well paired with a version of "Molly Whuppie," offering a point of comparison between the fantasy giant and the real-life Ella. Sure to be a hit.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, formerly at LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI - Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2010 *Starred Review* Born in 1872 and brought up on a farm in Missouri, Ella Kate Ewing begins to grow so quickly that she soon towers over her friends. Though her parents vow to protect Ella Kate from name-calling and taunts by keeping her at home, at 18 she ventures out to earn money as a museum exhibit in Chicago. Later, Ella Kate sees the world and makes her fortune by appearing in exhibitions and circuses as THE TALLEST LADY ON EARTH. When people are cruel, she maintains her dignity by remembering her parents’ admonition to Stand straight, Ella Kate. Based on the real Ella Ewing and told from her point of view, this intriguing picture book ends with a page of information about her medical condition (gigantism) and her remarkable life. Although the book’s well-paced, lightly fictionalized story underscores Ella Kate’s dignity and generosity, it includes many height-related incidents that will intrigue and amuse children. The acrylic paintings reflect the tone of the text while illustrating the narrative with warmth, wit, and style. The book’s factual basis makes its underlying message more powerful. Readers will enjoy watching this sympathetic character gradually come to accept her unusual height and make the most of it. - Copyright 2010 Booklist.

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