Gr 2-4-Throughout this beginning reader, Bull portrays Earhart as having a somewhat reckless nature, for which the aviator eventually paid dearly. She flew in a plane piloted by hard-drinking Bill Stultz, she piloted a plane that she was incapable of handling, and she was not proficient in Morse code or radio operation. Earhart is also shown to be concerned about her appearance and perhaps manipulated by her publicity-seeking husband, George Putnam. Earhart may have been interested in women's independence, but her search for personal glory is more obvious here. Bull speculates that Earhart's plane ran out of fuel, but she also explores a few of the more sensational theories regarding her subject's disappearance. The style of this graded reader is clear and lively. The book begins with a fictionalized account of Earhart's childhood interest in flying, but the rest of it is straight narrative. The illustrations are particularly interesting, with many photos, maps, and watercolors. Sidebars with photos and captions expand on the main text or give a glimpse at the historical period. Patricia Lauber's Lost Star (Scholastic, 1990) is more detailed, but is for older readers.-Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Beginning with a glimpse at her difficult childhood with an alcoholic father, this is a serviceable account of the legendary pilot's accomplishments. Archival photos and textbook-like illustrations compete for space with the main text and with sidebars that provide social and historical context. Some of the sidebar information is only vaguely related to the text but doesn't detract too much from the main subject. Glos.