Mary McLeod Bethune: Building a Better World

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Summary: A thorough examination of a complex hero's life
Review: Mary McLeod Bethune is one of those known/unknown African-American heroines. While many have heard her name, still many don't know of her longtime, prosperous friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, or the details about her life as a young southern girl with more than a dozen brothers and sisters. Many also know there's a college in Daytona named for her, in part (Bethune-Cookman), but they don't know her relationship to the institution. This book, a comprehensive look at her life, answers many of those questions, and more. For those who already know about her life and want more depth (or even a biography written for adults, rather than the many children's books on Bethune), or for those who don't know Bethune's accomplishments, this is a godsend. It's clearly written, chocked with information, and might even be a welcome addition to many school libraries. An informational gem.