- Blumenthal, K. (2005). Let me play: the story of title ix. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Prior to the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and the Title IX equity in athletics law in the 1970s, women were not paid the same as men, not allowed to hold certain jobs, considered unequal in athletics and were not allowed to play certain sports. This book chronicles the role of political activism in changing the expectation for schools and organizations to recognize women as equals and to provide girls with the opportunity to participate in athletics at an equal level with men. Several key politicians, activists and athletes are interviewed and profiled in this historical account of the meetings, deals and outcomes of this important ruling on gender equality.
My Impressions
As a child of the 70's, I remember hearing these discussions on the news and wondering what the big deal was about. In my neighborhood girls and boys played the same games, sports and activities so I saw no issue. This book is an excellent example of the impact the law has had over time, but an incredible example of research and pulling together resources from many different places to create a new title. This is a really good book to show students conducting research for papers, projects and themes about historical events. This book is also the focus of my Non-Fiction Analysis for this course.
Reviews
Bush, M. A. (2005). Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX, the Law That Changed the Future of Girls in America. [Review of Let me play: the story of title ix, by K. Blumenthal]. Horn Book Magazine, 81(5), 597-599.
Blumenthal’s complex discussion of equal opportunity in athletics and education focuses on a pivotal piece of legislation enacted more than thirty years ago and contested year after year right into the new century.
Title IX forbids discrimination by gender in schools and colleges receiving federal funds, and Blumenthal follows its political support and opposition decade by decade, interweaving the parallel increases in
sports participation and accomplishment. Civil rights and women’s history are part of the larger context here, and the busy but richly layered presentation includes inset essays on key events and individuals as well
as statistical tables demonstrating changes in athletic participation and enrollments in colleges and professional schools. A generous selection of captioned photographs and political cartoons is also included. The political history becomes heavy at times but is also intriguing, and many of the legislators and sports figures are well worth meeting. Adults who care about developing the full potential of all young people should
count themselves among the audience for the book, with its sobering conclusion on continuing and new inequities for boys and girls. Appended materials include a timeline, source notes, photo credits, bibliographies for young readers and adults, and an index. --Margaret A. Bush
Library Usage
As I previously mentioned, this is a very good example title for students working on research papers and historical projects to utilize their research in a thorough manner. I would also use this to discuss issues like gender equity and civics dealing with changing laws through grass roots campaigns and activism.
Title IX forbids discrimination by gender in schools and colleges receiving federal funds, and Blumenthal follows its political support and opposition decade by decade, interweaving the parallel increases in
sports participation and accomplishment. Civil rights and women’s history are part of the larger context here, and the busy but richly layered presentation includes inset essays on key events and individuals as well
as statistical tables demonstrating changes in athletic participation and enrollments in colleges and professional schools. A generous selection of captioned photographs and political cartoons is also included. The political history becomes heavy at times but is also intriguing, and many of the legislators and sports figures are well worth meeting. Adults who care about developing the full potential of all young people should
count themselves among the audience for the book, with its sobering conclusion on continuing and new inequities for boys and girls. Appended materials include a timeline, source notes, photo credits, bibliographies for young readers and adults, and an index. --Margaret A. Bush
Library Usage
As I previously mentioned, this is a very good example title for students working on research papers and historical projects to utilize their research in a thorough manner. I would also use this to discuss issues like gender equity and civics dealing with changing laws through grass roots campaigns and activism.
No comments:
Post a Comment