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dswhite's review
5.0
Nonfiction picture book that is well done and very informative. One nice feature were the quotes in blue. They were mostly quotes directly from Grace Banker. Also the book had an informative after section.
amysutton's review
4.0
This is a great informational book about Grace Banker and the call girls who helped connect messages on WWI battlefields. This would be a great addition to a collection on WWI heroes. I enjoyed this!
ljrinaldi's review
4.0
I love learning about famous women, or not so famous women who did great things. Who would have thought of the need to have telephone operators on the front, but the army knew they needed them, and knew that the women were already trained, so why not use them.
I think it is amazing that Grace Banker had everything that the army needed, college educated, bilingual and skilled in training others on how to be a phone operator. Pity the civilian world was not as impressed.
The book follows up with pictures from that time, as well as more details about her life.
What an amazing book about an amazing woman.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
I think it is amazing that Grace Banker had everything that the army needed, college educated, bilingual and skilled in training others on how to be a phone operator. Pity the civilian world was not as impressed.
The book follows up with pictures from that time, as well as more details about her life.
What an amazing book about an amazing woman.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
panda_incognito's review
5.0
A few years ago, when some of my friends and I toured a World War I exhibit at a history museum, one of the artifacts that impressed us the most was a battlefield telephone. It was beautifully designed and decorated, and we talked about how amazing it is that humans design such lovely items, even when they are intended for a deadly grim context.
Until now, that experience was my only knowledge of and exposure to WWI telephoning. I enjoyed reading this picture book biography to learn more, and found it absolutely fascinating. It celebrates the history of Grace Banker and other young women who worked as telephone operators during the war, and I found it both educational and inspiring.
The illustrations are vibrant, colorful, and historically accurate, and the text is clear and easy to read. It also incorporates direct quotes from Grace Banker, and that is what elevated this to a five-star book for me. It was already great, but I absolutely loved the inclusion of her words and thoughts. This is a great book for anyone who is interested in WWI history, the adventures of little-known historical women, or the history of the telephone. I would recommend this to both children and adults.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Until now, that experience was my only knowledge of and exposure to WWI telephoning. I enjoyed reading this picture book biography to learn more, and found it absolutely fascinating. It celebrates the history of Grace Banker and other young women who worked as telephone operators during the war, and I found it both educational and inspiring.
The illustrations are vibrant, colorful, and historically accurate, and the text is clear and easy to read. It also incorporates direct quotes from Grace Banker, and that is what elevated this to a five-star book for me. It was already great, but I absolutely loved the inclusion of her words and thoughts. This is a great book for anyone who is interested in WWI history, the adventures of little-known historical women, or the history of the telephone. I would recommend this to both children and adults.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
libraryrobin's review
3.0
I enjoyed it but I feel that without background knowledge about phone operations a century ago, kids won't understand the significance of their contributions.
nobookendinsight's review
4.0
Did you know that women were called to serve in the US Army's first telephone operators unit in France during WWI? Before women were even allowed to vote? I didn't either! This nonfiction picture book brings a little known piece of history to children of all ages. The author and illustrator researched archives and artifacts and collaborated with Grace Banker's granddaughter to share the story of the "Hello Girls" in World War 1. The narrative moves along at a good pace, without overwhelming younger readers. Scattered throughout are quotes from Grace's diaries and interviews, which lends a personal touch to the story. The illustrations are detailed and historically accurate, yet subdued, using tones from only a few colors, which fits very well with the time period of the early 1900s. The book includes an afterword, a timeline, further information, a bibliography, and even a short note from the artist. These extra components add additional information in helping the young reader further their understanding of the story, people, and time period involved in this snapshot of WWI. Most intriguing is what happened to Grace and her fellow "Hello GIrls" after the war and their return home. Read to the very end to find out! Overall, this is an excellent American history resource for children of all ages - showing that regular people living regular lives (men and women both!) served our country with honor and integrity, helping to defend our country and win the war.
The publisher and NetGalley provided me with an advanced reader's copy. This review and opinions are entirely my own.
The publisher and NetGalley provided me with an advanced reader's copy. This review and opinions are entirely my own.
kta's review
3.0
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I love historical fiction picture books. It's an excellent bridge for young readers. This bordered on the style of a graphic novel which I loved. Really well done overall.
I love historical fiction picture books. It's an excellent bridge for young readers. This bordered on the style of a graphic novel which I loved. Really well done overall.
mutuallyinclusive's review
informative
inspiring
4.0
Are you looking for a picture book biography about an inspiring woman serving her country during wartime?
Might I suggest Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators by Claudia Friddell?
I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t heard of Grace Banker before I read this book, but I can’t wait to share her story with you now!
In 1917, a 25-year-old Grace Banker answered an ad seeking French-speaking telephone operators to join the Signal Corps of the United States Army. Though she couldn’t vote yet, Grace was selected as a chief operator and led a team of thirty-three operators who translated commands and transferred secret codes on the front lines during World War I.
These women were some of America’s first female soldiers and they kept communications open despite the explosions, fires, and poor weather conditions they faced. Their skill and dedication to their work played a vital role in the victory of World War I, though they remain unsung heroes today.
Working closely with Grace Banker’s family, Claudia Friedel and Elizabeth Baddeley have created a biography that feels personal. Quotes from Grace’s diaries are used throughout the book to truly highlight her voice.
The backmatter offers plenty of additional information about Grace and The Service Corps to inform young readers of the historical significance of their achievements, as well as their fight to receive veteran recognition.
Thank you so much to Calkins Creek and Boyds Mills & Kane for providing me with a review copy of Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call. I’m so glad to be able to share such an amazing story.
Might I suggest Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call: The Heroic Story of WWI Telephone Operators by Claudia Friddell?
I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t heard of Grace Banker before I read this book, but I can’t wait to share her story with you now!
In 1917, a 25-year-old Grace Banker answered an ad seeking French-speaking telephone operators to join the Signal Corps of the United States Army. Though she couldn’t vote yet, Grace was selected as a chief operator and led a team of thirty-three operators who translated commands and transferred secret codes on the front lines during World War I.
These women were some of America’s first female soldiers and they kept communications open despite the explosions, fires, and poor weather conditions they faced. Their skill and dedication to their work played a vital role in the victory of World War I, though they remain unsung heroes today.
Working closely with Grace Banker’s family, Claudia Friedel and Elizabeth Baddeley have created a biography that feels personal. Quotes from Grace’s diaries are used throughout the book to truly highlight her voice.
The backmatter offers plenty of additional information about Grace and The Service Corps to inform young readers of the historical significance of their achievements, as well as their fight to receive veteran recognition.
Thank you so much to Calkins Creek and Boyds Mills & Kane for providing me with a review copy of Grace Banker And Her Hello Girls Answer The Call. I’m so glad to be able to share such an amazing story.
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