Sunday, January 8, 2012

Schwartz, Heather E. Breaking Barriers (Women of the US Marine Corps)


Schwartz, Heather E.     Breaking Barriers (Women of the US Marine Corps)
            Capstone Publishers 2011   32p     20.25  978-1-4296-5450-0           
elm/ms           Snap Books(Capstone)         E-BN  
Colorful photos illustrate the history of
women in the Marine Corps. The focus is on current service by women as
helicopter pilots and combat support positions. Glossary terms appear in bold
with definition at the bottom of the page. Grades 4-8.     This book provides an
up close and personal look at a female Marine who piloted the Presidential
helicopter. Her entry into the Marines and advancement through pilot school
shows young girls that they too may find success in the military.  The training
in boot camp is rigorous and the physical conditioning needed to be successful
is not downplayed.  A thorough history of women in the Marines starts with the
War of 1812 and continues through the Afghanistan/Iraq War. The only misstep is
a photo showing female Marines without head covering interacting with female
Iraqi children while the text below the photo indicates that female Marines wear
headscarves as an indication of respect for the Muslim culture.  Excellent color
photos, both current and historic, illustrate the text admirably.  Students do
not need to flip to the glossary for terms highlighted in bold as the terms are
defined at the bottom of the page they appear on. An excellent addition to women
studies collections for elementary and middle school libraries as well as great
career information for female students who may not give much thought to a career
in the military. Fast facts, a timeline of women in the Marines, index and
further reading complete the book.            Snap: Women in the U.S. Armed Forces
contains four books, one for each service branch, show how women have served in
the military, an up close and personal interview with a current female
serviceperson and excellent color photos.             McNicol,Lois

No comments: