Doing her bit : a story about the Woman's Land Army of America / Erin Hagar ; illustrated by Jen Hill.

Title:

Author:

Hagar, Erin,

Additional Author(s):

Hill, Jen, 1975-

ISBN:

9781580896467

(reinforced

for

library

use)

1580896464

Publication Info:

Watertown, MA :

Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 23 x 29 cm

Summary:

Helen wants to contribute to the war effort after the United States goes to war in 1917--so she joins the Women's Land Army of America, an organization that trains women to do farm work, replacing the workers drafted into the Army.

Corporate Subject:

Women's Land Army of America -- Juvenile fiction.

Subject(s):

World War, 1914-1918 -- United States -- Juvenile fiction.

World War, 1914-1918 -- Women -- New York (State) -- Juvenile fiction.

Agricultural laborers -- New York (State) -- Juvenile fiction.

Farm life -- New York (State) -- History -- Juvenile fiction.

Holds: Copies (not including on-order items):

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Call Number	Shelf Location	Status	Item Holds
Searching... Library 21c	Children's Book	HAGA	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Library 21c	Children's Book	HAGA	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable
Searching... Penrose Library	Children's Book	HAGA	Children's-J-Easy	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Based on true events, this fictional story traces the history of the Women's Land Army during World War I. Real-life "Farmerette" Helen Stevens trains to farm the land, negotiates a position for herself and other women, and does her bit for the war effort. This unique book celebrates the true grit of American men and women.

Author Notes

Erin Hagar is the author of middle-grade biography, JULIA CHILD: AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE IN WORDS AND PICTURES (Duo Press). She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 3-During World War I, the Women's Land Army (WLA) was formed to assist with farming duties while male farmhands were off fighting in the war. These women became known as "farmerettes." This title follows Helen Stevens and her decision to join the WLA. The narrative jumps right into the action with Helen seeing a WLA poster on the street and deciding to join. This could be a potentially confusing moment for readers unfamiliar with World War I and the status of American women in the early 20th century. While a cutaway to a dinner scene in which Helen's family tries to dissuade her from joining does hint at the inequality women faced ("No farmer in his right mind would hire you girls"), why her father would say this is not discussed. The WLA and Helen's experience farming are the central focus of the work and, in comparison, are better developed. The hard physical labor the women endured in addition to the discrimination they faced is highlighted. The illustrations, done in gouache and Adobe Photoshop, are colorful and detailed; the folk art feel and light brushstrokes lend well to the time period and plot. The author does note that she embellished much of the details and dialogue within the book. VERDICT An additional selection for elementary school history buffs looking for lesser-known World War I-era stories.-Ellen Norton, Naperville Public Library, IL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

In 1917, war is raging. With men serving the battlefields, farms are desperate for workers. Helen Stevens, a New York City college girl, has no experience pitching hay or milking cows, but she's eager to support the war effort. A poster for the Woman's Land Army grabs Helen's adventurous spirit, and going against her family's wishes, she heads north to the Women's Agricultural Camp in Bedford, New York. After much training, Helen and her compatriots are ready to work, but no one wants to hire white women for field labor. The camp director eventually lines up a farmer, but Helen and the girls have to work doubly hard to convince him of their capabilities. Hagar's engaging narrative based on a real-life member of the 1917 Woman's Land Army captures the can-do spirit of the program's participants. Hill alternates bright and muted earth tones to depict differences between city life and work in the fields. End panels display vintage advertisements attracting farmettes, and further resources close out the volume.--Lock, Anita Copyright 2016 Booklist

Excerpts

Helen Stevens was a New York City college girl. She'd never pitched hay or milked a cow. And she'd certainly never worn men's overalls. But it was 1917, and there was a war on. Helen rolled bandages and knit socks for soldiers headed overseas. But she wanted something more-- to do her bit. Yes, indeed, she wanted an adventure. One day, Helen saw a sign that took root in her heart. At Helen's farewell luncheon, her father said, "Woman's Land Army--craziest thing I ever heard. No farmer in his right mind would hire you girls." Helen looked right at him. "They'll have to. With so many men working in factories or training to fight, who else will bring in the crops?" Excerpted from Doing Her Bit: A Story about the Women's Land Army of America by Erin Hagar All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.