Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride

"Amelia and Eleanor were birds of a feather.
Eleanor was outspoken and determined.
So was Amelia.
Amelia was daring and liked to try things other women wouldn't even consider.
Eleanor was the very same."

Amelia, of course, was famous aviator Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean; and Eleanor was Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States and committed activist for human rights. This lovely picture-book, based on a true story, follows Amelia and Eleanor as they slip out from a White House dinner (under the watchful eyes of a disapproving Secret Service) and take a night flight over Washington, D.C.

With gorgeous pencil illustrations by Brian Selznick, who was awarded a Caldecott Medal for The Invention of Hugo show more Cabret, and a smooth-flowing narrative, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride is a picture-book triumph, and will appeal to all young children with big dreams. Little girls especially, will thrill to this tale of two extraordinary women who never let sexism stand in the way of their achievements. show less

So I think I am officially in love with Ms. Muñoz Ryan and her work. I especially love the few picture books of hers that I have checked out. This book about the friendship between Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt is exciting, educational, and beautifully illustrated.

This story is based on true events. Amelia and Eleanor met at an event and became fast friends. Amelia was invited to the White House for a special dinner with Eleanor where they went on and on about how delightful flying was. Amelia had inspired Eleanor to work on getting her pilot’s license previously! In the course of their conversations at dinner that evening, Eleanor had the bright idea to go on a night flight around Washington D.C. Eleanor called up her show more airliner that they used for the White House and asked for a plane to be readied. In the story, Amelia and Eleanor went up alone and had a splendid flight above the city at night. In real life they were not alone, and instead had two licensed pilots for the airline that were in control due to regulations—although both women may have been allowed to take the controls for a bit. This fictionalized account of the evening goes on to a night drive after their night flight, as the First Lady had a new car she was proud of and that she like to drive real fast.

This story, about two amazing women living large, is exciting and fun to read! It would be an excellent story to talk about comparing and contrasting with students. A venn diagram could be made—one side for each woman—then add their traits and what they liked to do. Amelia Earhart had and flew planes, but Eleanor had and loved fast cars. The book describes many ways that they were similar, yet some subtle ways they were different. show less

Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart were great friends. During an important White House dinner, they decide to sneak away and go for a ride in an airplane with Amelia as the pilot! At that time, it was unheard of for a woman to be a pilot so when they landed they were bombarded by questions from the press. Not having enough adventure for one night, they then decide to go for a joy ride in Eleanor's new car. The book then goes on to explain how this is based on a true story, and the author includes a real picture of Eleanor and Amelia. The author also includes information about Eleanor Roosevelt's strides for women's rights and gender equality, and mentions the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.
This book is of course a great choice to show more read to young girls to encourage them to follow their dreams and show them that they can accomplish whatever they put their minds to. I also think young male students would have the opportunity to take away something important from this book as well. It breaks those gender stereotypes that are still around today, and shows them that girls can do and enjoy the same activities that they do. show less

Selznick remains one of my favorite illustrators. He is an incredibly talented artist. This is a true story of the friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. Both women were way ahead of their time in many ways, including performing tasks that, at the time, were not usual for women.

When Amelia was in town --- Washington, DC, Eleanor invited her to the White House for dinner. The conversation round the table was fascinating. As Eleanor spoke of her ability to drive a car, and Amelia was the most adventurous women in the world, the guests were excited to learn more of their accomplishments.

Amelia talked of flying high in the sky above the White House, and the way in which Washington appeared from up in the dark sky lit by the show more bright lights around the various impressive buidlings round the White House. Eleanor spoke of the new car she purchased, and Amelia then offered to take Eleanor for a quick ride from the White House to Baltimore, MD and back.

Later that night, in the dark sky, Amelia flew the plane where the lights of DC could be brightly visable.

The beauty of Selznick's illustrators and the exciting portrayal of two women who loved adventure, made this book one to keep in my library of illustrated books.

Highly Recommended 4.5 Stars. show less

Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride is a book about friendship and adventure centering around Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor invites Amelia over for a dinner party in the White House. Once there, Amelia regals guests with stories of her many adventures and invites Eleanor to join her on a private flight. The two set off by themselves across the skies of Washington, D.C. Upon their return, Amelia and Eleanor immediately sneak off and go for a ride in Eleanor's new car through the streets of Washington, D.C.

I've enjoyed using this book in class during our Famous Americans unit. We usually read a nonfiction piece on both Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt, so students love reading this fiction story about both of them! show more Reading it once again, I really enjoyed the subtle hints of feminism. Both Amelia and Eleanor are out doing things women don't normally do and behaving in ways that don't seem "appropriate" for women, and instead of backing down, Amelia and Eleanor stand in their convictions. show less

AMELIA and ELEANOR by Pam Ryan was enjoyable read. It tells of the friendship of two remarkable women and their love of adventure. A reader might wonder if the book is non-fiction. It is important to read the Author's Note. The illustrations by Brian Selznick add to the beauty of the story. This is a great book to read if one is interested in strong women leaders.

Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt were birds of a feather. Not only were they two of the most admired and respected women of all time, they were also good friends. Illuminated here for the first time in picture book form is the true story of a thrilling night when they made history together. On a brisk and cloudless evening in April 1933, Amelia and Eleanor did the unprecedented: They stole away from a White House dinner, commandeered an Eastern Air Transport jet, and took off on a glorious adventure--while still dressed in their glamorous evening gowns!