50 Trailblazers of the 50 States

An incredible book filled with inspirational people from across the 50 states. The page layouts were crammed with Information, quotes and illustrations of each person. It was bright and bold and really well put together. Some of these people I know and love. Others I’ve never heard about but it was really interesting to hear their story.

I love motivational and inspiring books. This is one of the best I’ve seen. It was fun to read.

This is an interesting collection of civil rights and environmental rights men and women in US history. Fifty people, from each of the 50 states. Some were born in those states, some went there, or were active there. These people run the gamut from the 1700s to 2018.

Some are quite well known, such as Barack Obama. Others, I was less familiar with, such as Susette La Flesche.

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A quick overview of 50 people who have contributed to the rights of all oppressed people and animals.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

50 Trailblazers of the 50 states is another amazing read from QPG. I learned ALOT from this book and I love how it tied in geography and people who made a positive difference in our world. Since a trailblazer was needed for every state, I found that this had a list of people who normally wouldn't be on it. Who knew it was a woman (Margaret Murie) who is responsible for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, or that Norris Henderson is responsible for Prisoners' Rights (phone companies were illegally charging inmates more money than required to make phone calls - he worked on other issues as well) or the All-American Redheads were a group of pioneering women who made it possible for female basketball players to be paid.

This book is full to the brim with amazing and interesting facts about everyone who has or is working to make our world better. Another positive is that it was represented by all different ethnicity's and backgrounds. I especially enjoyed the forward that explains that all the rights we enjoy today didn't just happen, there was a person or group of people behind that change, which could have taken years to accomplish. (Progress doesn't move as quickly as we would like it to, but it doesn't happen.)

My only slight criticism is that even though I agree with the political views of the author, I felt they were quite "in your face" and could turn others off. I am sure some choices were more difficult than others (I'm looking at you Deleware), but in trying to be thinking about this objectively, there are some entries that could have used a little more editing away from the political conversation (although, in arguing against my own point, it's hard NOT to mix politics and trailblazers). Hopefully, my point is understood.

Thank you to Netgalley, Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions and Howard Megdal for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Review Date: 10/21/19
Publication Date: 11/5/19

"You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right." - Rosa Parks

I was very happy to receive this ARC from Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions. I initially requested this book because of the inspiring factor I was sure would transpire, and it did not disappoint. This was a very enlightening book to read. It introduced me to some new faces but still included some favourites of mine. The geographical aspect was very fun, educational and original and I really appreciated it. The art style fit the book perfectly! As a non-American I still enjoyed the contents of the book and was educated about People that helped shape the country's history.

I would definitely recommend this book to my American friends, but it was still an interesting read for a non-American.

Interesting read for kids. Some not so well known people and their actions are highlighted among the better known people. Would buy to read with the kids.

The idea of creating a book about people from each state who have worked to make changes within our country is brilliant. Not only does it introduce people to figures they may have never heard of before, but it highlights that even the states many people forget about have had residents with amazing minds. Many of those highlighted in this book are minorities and/or politicians. And the political affiliation of the author is pretty evident by reading through the people he chose to write about. I do think there could have been a better overall balance of race, gender, and politics. But still, this is a valuable resource for the children it is aimed at reaching.

50 Trailblazers of the 50 States is written by Howard Megdal and illustrated by Abbey Lossing. It is a well-written children’s historical biography book. Going alphabetically by US state, it introduces its readers to one trailblazer from each state. The two page spread on each person includes a timeline, key achievements, and how their trailblazing continues today.

This book has vivid illustrations and the amount of text is appropriate for 6-9 year old children. However, they may need some help in understanding some of the terms. It has lots of interesting facts from people of a variety of ethnicities and economic backgrounds. Their achievements span the spectrum from work on mental illness advocacy, workers’ rights, women’s rights, marriage equality, voting rights, civil rights, anti-gun violence, to environmentalism and much more. The one thing that did bother me is that the text is quite small and the background and/or font colors can make it more difficult to read.

Overall, the book is inspiring and should be enjoyable to children and parents alike. Additionally, it has an index, glossary, and a further reading section at the end that is helpful.

Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions and Howard Megdal for a digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

This book was so much fun! It was so interesting to learn more about some of my favorite celebrities, but also be introduced to people I didn't know anything about. I thought that it was so cool that they included Emma Gonzalez, who I think is such an inspiration. I also loved that Colin Kaepernick was included because so many people want to paint him in a bad light, but I think he is one of the bravest people in the world.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this title!

50 Trailblazers of the 50 States is amazing! I read it to the 4 year olds I babysit and they really enjoyed it. It's not the typical storybooks that they usually hear, but they loved it. The boys spent the rest of the week talking about the different people they read about. I highly recommend this book!

This book is a fantastic resource for both home and school libraries. It is geared toward elementary school children but, as an adult, I also found it to be highly informative and interesting. As would be expected 50 trailblazers are featured in the book. Some of them were well known to me, as for example, Joe Biden or Rosa Parks while many others were new to me. Just a couple of the new names to me included Margaret Murie and the All American Red Heads. Some of the people featured are quite contemporary, as for example, Colin Kapernick. Each person has a two page spread that is dense with information. There are sections on what the trailblazer did, where they were from, how their work continues and more. There are also quotes. I enjoyed this one from Rebecca Lobo:

and my daughter walked in the room and looked at the TV and said to Steve, 'Are those boys playing?' And I said, 'Yes." And my daughter said, "I didn't know boys played basketball."

I give this book a full five stars. It will inspire and inform the children in your life. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book filled with interesting people from across the fifty states. Each page had lots of different information, maybe a bit much information. I really liked the colours and all the fun facts about people I'd never heard of!

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for providing me a copy!

I loved 50 Trailblazers of the 50 States! This book was packed full of information about a variety of inspirational people. I will definitely use this in my classroom - I like the tie in with geography and that kids can relate to these trailblazers based on something as simple as which state they are from. Books like this are a great starting point for those wanting to learn more about people who have shaped our history/culture. Loved it!

Definitely informative and educational. This book was not exactly what I was expecting but a good read for my children nonetheless. I would agree that this would be a good book for every library.

Love the mix of higher profile Americans with some that history classes might not have covered. The art makes the book feel almost like an easy book and the short & broken up pieces of text makes the material covered less intimidating. Would definitely recommend this book for anyone wanting to increase their Biography section a way that wouldn't overwhelm their shelves.

This book covers 50 people who changed the course of the United States and in some cases, the world. Each spread is a gorgeous infographic-like page giving a wonderful tribute to each person. Children and adults alike will learn a lot about notable and brave figures in history with this book.

Amazing book with amazing people. Really enjoy reading these books and learning about people who have had a real impact on our lives today. It is also a bonus that this book is very beautiful too.

I thought this was such an interesting book. I love the artwork and each of the trailblazers from all 50 states. Some people we know and others some might not know.

This book will take you on an alphabetical (by state) journey across the U.S.A. Each states features a pioneering historical figure (mostly advocates for social and scientific causes). Each person gets a two-page spread which is jam packed with illustrations and facts.

A great book to introduce young readers to the 50 trailblazers included in the book's pages.